Where Toyota has launched a couple of Captcha codes at Auto China 2024, Nissan has gone to the Beijing automotive spectacle with a tongue twister. Say ni hao to its four concepts for the Chinese market: Epoch, Epic, Era, Evo. Now repeat that five times in quick succession without stuttering.
These Nissan ‘new energy vehicle’ concepts are a joint effort with Dong Feng and fall under the brand’s ‘In China, for China’ strategy. The less China-centric way of putting that, we suppose, is that through these future models, Nissan wishes to establish a stronger foothold in the People’s Republic, where electric vehicles have gained widespread popularity in recent years owing to numerous affordable offerings.
Details on each are vague at the moment, but let’s work with what we’ve been given. The Nissan Epoch Concept is the first of two fully-electric vehicles in the lineup. It’s meant more for city and suburban use, so it will likely get a more compact powertrain that favors lightness over long range.
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It’s got “AI-expanded Internet of Things,” too, which would cover autonomous driving, predictive and not just preventive maintenance, over-the-air software updates, navigation supported by V2X, and other such connected car features. There’s also a ‘virtual personal assistant’ that supposedly “recognizes emotions.” Maybe it’ll pull up a list of drive-through food places along your route when it senses you’re getting hangry.
The other fully-electric future model will be based on the Nissan Epic Concept for “adventurous city couples.” Urban dwellers, then, who venture out of town on weekends.
As such, the vehicle is equipped with V2L functionality to serve as a mobile power source at outdoor events. Should make a camping trip more comfy and, uh, epic. The cabin is also designed to make the drive to the destination as comfy as possible for the occupants.
The other two Auto China show cars are plug-in hybrids. Styled as a rugged SUV, the Nissan Era Concept gets the brand’s e-4orce all-wheel drive system, zero-gravity seats, and active air suspension. Meanwhile, the Nissan Evo Concept is positioned as a family sedan with advanced driver assistance and safety.
“To achieve sustainable growth in the rapidly changing Chinese market, Nissan is committed to a China-tailored strategy as we announced in our new business plan, ‘The Arc,’” said Makoto Uchida, president and CEO of Nissan. “Starting with new energy vehicles to be based on the concepts unveiled today, Nissan will build a balanced product portfolio of diverse and competitive new models. Our aim will be to provide a more exciting mobility experience to all customers in China.”
More photos of the Nissan Epoch Concept:
More photos of the Nissan Epic Concept:
More photos of the Nissan Era Concept:
More photos of the Nissan Evo Concept:
