Nissan Intima Concept

Nissan Intima is a saloon based on the Modern Living Concept, with an interior cabin focused on comfort and relaxation and a panoramic glass roof.

Debuting at the 2007 tokyo Motor Show, the Intima represents a futuristic vision for a saloon, based on Nissan’s Modern Living Concept, focused on comfort, relaxation, quality and visual enjoyment.

To date, the Modern Living Concept has been adopted in Nissan production cars such as the Teana, Tiida and Sylphy.

In the Intima saloon the Modern Living Concept has evolved in terms of forms, materials and illumination.

Among the technical features are a V6 clean diesel engine and Nissan’s Safety Shield system, which includes Around View Monitor and Distance Control Assist System (DCAS).

Interior

Intima is targeted towards consumers with a sophisticated, discerning eye for beauty – who enjoy spending time in refined elegance and comfort, whether traveling alone or with a partner.

"We designed Intima as a car that expresses the interior attractiveness Nissan proposes in the Modern Living Concept," explains Product Chief Designer Kinichi Saito of the Product Design Department.

"The inspiration came from imagining a situation where a person who has accumulated many life experiences and successes now wants to spend his or her own time, or time together as a couple, in an elegant environment."

For example, the instrument panel padding appears to "float" in between the wood grain panels, the center console incorporates a "wave pattern" and large door armrests and assist grips combine to give passengers a feeling of comfort and peace of mind.

Illumination is another significant element in offering a sense of soothing relaxation.

Cabin illumination is provided by the indirect lighting incorporated in the instrument panel, center console, door trim and ceiling, and the door assist grips feature a blue-green acrylic material that gives off a soft light.

A functional storage spaces are located on the inside of the front passenger’s door, while a cooled compartment in the rear center console can keep drink or snacks at fresh temperature.

The four-zone air conditioning system can adjust individual temperature of each seating position through the use of infrared sensors, and is equipped with a natural grape seed polyphenol filter which helps in keeping a clean athmosphere.

"Traditionally, the expression of relaxation in a vehicle’s design focuses purely on function, such as in terms of seat comfort.

Intima goes a step beyond that tradition to incorporate art extensively into the interior, thus rising the sensation of relaxation."

Intima’s front passenger’s seat swivels approximately 80° to the outside as if to welcome and escort a passenger into the car and ample legroom is provided in both the front and rear seats.

The large glass roof, which flows continuously from the car’s windshield, enables all passengers to enjoy a wide outward view.

Exterior Design

Intima’s exterior styling matches the interior’s artistic image, with a design that combines sharp-edged lines and organic panel surfaces.

"The balance of these two elements creates a refined mood based on the ideas of ‘relaxation’ and ‘comfort,’" explained Saito.

Among the main design elements are the arching side character line and the crystal-like appearance of the front and rear lamps, grille and wheels, which are reminiscent of jewelry.

"Intima demonstrates that art and functionality are not mutually exclusive," said Saito.

"There is a strong role of visual attractiveness in creating a comfortable, relaxing interior that is often overlooked. Intima, and Nissan’s Modern Living Concept, are leading the way in the advancement of visually stimulating interior design."