Nissan Friend-ME concept for a new generationHead-turning style for youth who clock mobility in kilobits per second Response to dreams of young Chinese soon to be world's largest customer segmentPrivate-yet-connected space for peers makes just hanging out an adventureProof of Nissan's determination to lead the way in delivering Chinese customer aspirationsSHANGHAI,
China - Nissan today revealed its Friend-Me concept, a four-passenger
sedan designed for a generation with a very different automotive
outlook. With an assertive, imposing exterior featuring boldly flowing
sculpted lines, Friend-Me is a confident creature of the night, meant to
be seen in bright city lights. The
concept is applicable globally, but the genesis of Friend-Me was
Nissan's exploring the aspirations of customers destined to emerge as
the world's largest single market segment: the "Bālínghòu,"
around 240 million Chinese born in the 1980s are known. Specifically,
Friend-Me addresses the social dynamics of Chinese men in their mid-20s. "Bālínghòu
males are a huge cohort in the world's largest market, and they're now
reaching their prime," said François Bancon, Division General Manager of
product strategy and advanced planning at Nissan. "Clearly, their
tastes will shape automotive trends worldwide for decades to come. So we
believe it's important to listen with respect, and respond by putting
dreams within their reach. That's why Friend-Me is our first proposition
in an ongoing dialogue." For a generation that grew up without siblings, leisure time shared with peers is treasured. Edgy, but mannered enough to go with the flowThis car asserts an imposing presence - solidity and flowing lines give it an edgy muscularity. With its exterior design, Friend-Me addresses a fine balance that middle-class Bālínghòu youth must heed. "We call our solution 'Distilled Da Qi,'"
said Taiji Toyota, Vice President of Nissan Design China. "'Da Qi is
about casting an aura, about standing out, but at the same time going
with the flow, fitting in. It's a question of balance, and we've worked
to refine it right down to the essence. The result adds an entirely new
and youthful dimension to the sedan category." A
low and wide stance with short front and rear overhang emphasizes more
chunky, aggressive and sporty impression rather than authentic sedans.
Together with this challenging proportion, distinctive design aspects
are presenting one of the new directions of Nissan appearance. The
energetic and fluid momentum which arises from 'V-motion' shaped grille
streams through the hood to shoulder creates the impressive cadence with
emotional aura. The headlamps and rear combination lamps are accentuated by its unique boomerang shaped lighting signature. The
profile of the vehicle completely describes the progressive translation
of 'Distilled Da Qi'. The thin and light floating roof and kick-up
shape around the C-pillar resonates well and produces sophisticated
harmony. Likewise, the Neon Gray exterior colour - specially developed
to appeal to tech-savvy youthful tastes - show its lines to full effect
at night. 'Oracle stone' empowers shared adventureInside,
front and back, driver and passenger, all four seats are separate with
the same high-tech style and status, because in this cabin all aboard
are peers - equals. And all share the same information as the driver: speed, navigation, fuel remaining - everything. Empowering
all four adventurers is a unique centre console stretching from the
dash to between the rear seats - an iconic monolith in an onyx-black
finish. Screens visible from each seat blend seamlessly with the
surface, only becoming apparent as they display whatever contents the
buzz of the moment demands. Whoever finds cool content can transfer it
from his mobile to the on-board screens so all can share in the fun. A dream within reachNissan
Friend-Me has been carefully designed as a dream within reach of young
customers in China. Based on an existing Nissan sedan architecture, it
requires a minimum of unique components. The ecologically efficient
PureDrive hybrid powertrain envisioned for Friend-Me would deliver more
than enough zip for city driving. That's
the dream Nissan Friend-Me delivers, thanks to the collaboration
between design teams from Nissan Design China (NDC) - the Beijing studio
established in 2011 - and Nissan Global Design Center (NGDC) under the
leadership and direction of Shiro Nakamura, Nissan's Senior Vice
President and Chief Creative Officer. One of NDC's most ambitious
designs so far, Friend-Me is one of many in-depth explorations of
China's customer needs and aspirations now underway. "If
there's one thing we want Nissan to be known for, it's uniquely
powerful insight into what excites and delights customers across China,"
said Bancon. "Friend-Me is just the beginning."
China - Nissan today revealed its Friend-Me concept, a four-passenger
sedan designed for a generation with a very different automotive
outlook. With an assertive, imposing exterior featuring boldly flowing
sculpted lines, Friend-Me is a confident creature of the night, meant to
be seen in bright city lights. The
concept is applicable globally, but the genesis of Friend-Me was
Nissan's exploring the aspirations of customers destined to emerge as
the world's largest single market segment: the "Bālínghòu,"
around 240 million Chinese born in the 1980s are known. Specifically,
Friend-Me addresses the social dynamics of Chinese men in their mid-20s. "Bālínghòu
males are a huge cohort in the world's largest market, and they're now
reaching their prime," said François Bancon, Division General Manager of
product strategy and advanced planning at Nissan. "Clearly, their
tastes will shape automotive trends worldwide for decades to come. So we
believe it's important to listen with respect, and respond by putting
dreams within their reach. That's why Friend-Me is our first proposition
in an ongoing dialogue." For a generation that grew up without siblings, leisure time shared with peers is treasured. Edgy, but mannered enough to go with the flowThis car asserts an imposing presence - solidity and flowing lines give it an edgy muscularity. With its exterior design, Friend-Me addresses a fine balance that middle-class Bālínghòu youth must heed. "We call our solution 'Distilled Da Qi,'"
said Taiji Toyota, Vice President of Nissan Design China. "'Da Qi is
about casting an aura, about standing out, but at the same time going
with the flow, fitting in. It's a question of balance, and we've worked
to refine it right down to the essence. The result adds an entirely new
and youthful dimension to the sedan category." A
low and wide stance with short front and rear overhang emphasizes more
chunky, aggressive and sporty impression rather than authentic sedans.
Together with this challenging proportion, distinctive design aspects
are presenting one of the new directions of Nissan appearance. The
energetic and fluid momentum which arises from 'V-motion' shaped grille
streams through the hood to shoulder creates the impressive cadence with
emotional aura. The headlamps and rear combination lamps are accentuated by its unique boomerang shaped lighting signature. The
profile of the vehicle completely describes the progressive translation
of 'Distilled Da Qi'. The thin and light floating roof and kick-up
shape around the C-pillar resonates well and produces sophisticated
harmony. Likewise, the Neon Gray exterior colour - specially developed
to appeal to tech-savvy youthful tastes - show its lines to full effect
at night. 'Oracle stone' empowers shared adventureInside,
front and back, driver and passenger, all four seats are separate with
the same high-tech style and status, because in this cabin all aboard
are peers - equals. And all share the same information as the driver: speed, navigation, fuel remaining - everything. Empowering
all four adventurers is a unique centre console stretching from the
dash to between the rear seats - an iconic monolith in an onyx-black
finish. Screens visible from each seat blend seamlessly with the
surface, only becoming apparent as they display whatever contents the
buzz of the moment demands. Whoever finds cool content can transfer it
from his mobile to the on-board screens so all can share in the fun. A dream within reachNissan
Friend-Me has been carefully designed as a dream within reach of young
customers in China. Based on an existing Nissan sedan architecture, it
requires a minimum of unique components. The ecologically efficient
PureDrive hybrid powertrain envisioned for Friend-Me would deliver more
than enough zip for city driving. That's
the dream Nissan Friend-Me delivers, thanks to the collaboration
between design teams from Nissan Design China (NDC) - the Beijing studio
established in 2011 - and Nissan Global Design Center (NGDC) under the
leadership and direction of Shiro Nakamura, Nissan's Senior Vice
President and Chief Creative Officer. One of NDC's most ambitious
designs so far, Friend-Me is one of many in-depth explorations of
China's customer needs and aspirations now underway. "If
there's one thing we want Nissan to be known for, it's uniquely
powerful insight into what excites and delights customers across China,"
said Bancon. "Friend-Me is just the beginning."
