Nissan’s sporty
Families and sports cars are like water and oil – they just don’t mix. Try as they might, automobile manufacturers have yet to find a solution that can accommodate the enthused driver as well as their children, but Nissan just may have the product to answer the calls of the public. The Tone concept, which will be displayed at this year’s Paris Motor Show is a crossover hatchback-mini-minivan with emphasis on the enthused driver not only gives showgoers a glimpse of future vehicles, but it also foreshadows a similar production vehicle for 2006.
The Tone is based off the recently-introduced B-segment platform, developed and shared by Nissan and Renault. The advanced chassis made its debut on the Renault Modus mini-MPV earlier this year and will be used by Nissan to underpin the next generation Micra. In contrast to the Modus, which occupies the same market segment as the Tone, Nissan’s version is longer and larger than its French counterpart. At 4055 mm (159.6 in.) in length, the Tone is roughly the same size as Toyota’s Echo Sedan, but it features a massive 2600 mm (102.4 in.) wheelbase which is a mere 25 mm (0.98 in.) shorter than the X-Trail. Height, at 1542 mm (60.7 in.) is quite low to reduce the center of gravity in order to maintain a ideal driving manners.
Despite being one of the smallest Nissans in their expansive model range, the Tone draws its styling from a multitude of Nissan cars, sport utilities and previous concept vehicles. The shape of the upright HID headlamps which bulge above the fender’s surface, a roofline that peaks just above the driver’s window, a high window line and short bumpers that seemingly integrate into the body are all derived from Nissan’s subcompact Micra. This design language carries the charismatic look of the Micra over to the Tone, whose segment is rarely anything other than average looking.
Other areas of the Tone have been drawn from different Nissan products such as the grinning, two-tier chrome front radiator grille, inspired by none other than the Murano. Nissan’s Qashqai concept which debuted in Geneva earlier this year also has a direct influence on the styling of the Tone: the triangular shape of the rear windows, as well as the boomerang-style LED tail lamps which wrap around to the roof were borrowed from the concept. Stylist Taiji Toyota also translated the Tone’s athletic disposition through the bodywork – 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in low-profile rubber and wide front and rear track show the world its appetite for open road.
Much like its exterior, Nissan has followed a strict regime of ‘deliberate masculinity’ on the Tone’s interior to extract and remove stigmas and stereotypes associated with minivans. One would expect to find real brushed aluminum such as the inserts featured on the semi-circular center console and the navigation display on the upper dashboard, or the contoured sport bucket seats with metallic-effect black, purple and silver leather trim in a sports car, rather than an MPV. Elements of style, including the air vents which replicate the front grille, red LED mood lighting and a black and purple weave headliner to match the seating surfaces and the exterior paint.
The rest of the Tone’s cabin is practical and efficient, rather than being out of the ordinary. A pair of wide-hinged doors allows easy access to the rear seating areas, while two oblong glass panels on the Tone’s roof allow the interior to be bathed in natural light, providing a sense of roominess in the predominantly dark interior. Nissan has added a few family friendly features to the Tone including a built-in tissue dispenser, and several hidden storage spaces in the car including a large cubby within the center console. If the standard trunkspace isn’t enough, the Tone’s rear seats fold providing a flat storage space with extra storage under the trunk’s floor. Much like the Micra, the Tone uses a ‘Smart Key’ which automatically locks and unlocks the car via proximity sensors.
Although the Tone will be shown for the first time at the Paris show, Nissan officials have already given a production version the green light. It’s unlikely that we will see real aluminum and the fancy silver and purple weave leather seating on the production version, but the general concept seen here should be carried over with little change. The Tone will be built at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in England, which was recently awarded the title of Europe’s most productive automotive assembly facility and is the home to the Micra and Primera. Production has been set for 100,000 units globally, but don’t get your hopes up as Canada isn’t on the export list.
