Japanese automaker Nissan has unveiled its Friend-ME Concept at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show. Designed for "a generation with a very different automotive outlook", the Friend-ME four-passenger sedan targets the Chinese youth in their mid-twenties, althought Nissan suggest the concept could be seen in other markets as well.
"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," said Fancois Bancon, Division General Manager of product strategy and advanced planning at Nissan.
Developed by Nissan Design China, the sedan was shaped with both edgy and flowing lines in mind, and while the design is one the company should be proud of, the main attraction of the car is in the cabin, where the four separate seats share the same technology. This means that each passenger has access to all the information as the driver, including navigation, music or speed, thanks to an "oracle-stone" console.
"Our console is like an oracle-stone that gives the Friend-Me crew the power to look down the road ahead, over the horizon, through walls... to anywhere in the online world," said Nissan. "As they cruise through an entertainment district, the console reveals the scenes playing out in each building they pass. We've anticipated where automotive online is destined to go – and it's bound to be exciting."
There's no word if and when Friend-ME will be showcased in production-ready form, but we're anxiously waiting for further info.
Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Full profile
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