Nissan North America, Inc. announced that it will unveil two new vehicles at NAIAS 2007 – the Nissan Rogue crossover sport utility vehicle and an advanced design study called the Nissan Bevel.
Nissan further released the first official photos of the Rogue, an all-new vehicle and Nissan’s first entry into the small crossover segment.
The Rogue is scheduled to go on sale in fall 2007 as a 2008 model and joins Nissan’s lineup of advanced crossover and sport utility vehicles that includes Armada, Pathfinder, Xterra and Murano. Nissan says the dramatically styled Rogue offers exceptional handling, all-wheel-drive capability and an interior space that combines innovation and versatility.
“With Rogue, we’ve targeted drivers in their early 30s, whose responsibilities and functional needs have changed but who don’t want to leave behind the person they’ve always been – someone who enjoys driving, who values style and design, and who wants to retain his or her individuality,” said Bill Bosley, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division. ”The Rogue name was chosen to reflect its independence-oriented positioning, though we certainly believe that all buyers, regardless of age or life stage, will positively respond to Rogue’s fun-to-drive, all-climate performance and aggressive styling.”
The 2008 Nissan Rogue will be available in two models, Rogue S and Rogue SL, each with a standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, Nissan’s advanced Xtronic CVT‘ (Continuously Variable Transmission), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and 4-wheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
Rogue is built on Nissan’s new “C” platform, which provides high body stiffness with extensive use of high-strength steel utilized to reduce body weight. Rogue features a 105.9-inch wheelbase and 182.9-inch overall length – among the longest in class, compared with leading small crossover competitors – providing ample rear seat proportions and one of the longest interior lengths. The body also features large front door openings for easy ingress and egress.
Among the advanced technology features available on Rogue are an Intelligent Key and a powerful Bose®-developed audio system with 7 speakers and subwoofer with MP3 capability and satellite radio. Also available is a Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System, HomeLink® Universal Transceiver garage door opener and Xenon headlights.
Every Rogue comes with a standard Nissan Xtronic CVT™, combining smooth, linear and responsive acceleration feel with high-efficiency operation. Rogue’s CVT utilizes adaptive logic control and a high-speed central processing unit. Its advanced shift control offers the optimal shift pattern according to the driving situation and driver’s demands, using input from driver operation, vehicle speed, road gradient, turning condition and acceleration force to adjust shifting patterns accordingly. Available paddle shifters provide an added level of sporty performance and driver control.
The 2008 Rogue is expected to be priced starting around $20,000 when it goes on sale in fall 2007.
Also making its world debut in Detroit is the Nissan Bevel Concept, described by Nissan as a dynamic, multi-purpose vehicle with a small size, big utility and fresh thinking – including a function-inspired design, a “command central” cockpit and high-utility interior. The Bevel Concept was created at Nissan Design America, La Jolla, Calif.
The Nissan Bevel is a dynamic, multi-purpose vehicle – one designed to enhance every activity, every opportunity. But unlike currently available sport utility vehicles or minivans, which emphasize passenger needs and comfort, the advanced Bevel Concept’s focus is placed strictly on the primary user – male empty-nesters actively engaged in hobbies, recreation and community service.
Bevel’s tall one-piece rear hatch features a special horizontal hinge arrangement, with a height when raised of 6’2” from the ground. With the hatch open, a special tailgate-like work platform (about half of the width of the hatchback) folds down and snaps into place, creating a sturdy workbench-like area. This platform is strong enough to sit or stand on and has a quick-release design for easy removal and storage when not needed.
Located in the lower side edges of the rear cargo area, accessible with the hatch in the open position, is a pair of power outlets – a traditional 12V outlet and an 110V power tool recharging outlet, which is powered by Bevel’s integrated solar cells mounted beneath the large glass roof panels.
Along with the oversize, asymmetrical glass roof, Bevel also features a unique roof cargo system. Six hexagon-shaped “pucks” with pop-up hooks are designed to carry loads up to 250 pounds – versus traditional roof rack systems’ recommended load capacities of 60 pounds.
Other Bevel exterior features include hidden LCD headlights and projector fog lamps, LCD taillights integrated into the tailgate surround and hidden under the paint, breakaway fiber-optic side cameras in place of traditional sideview mirrors, a recessed rear license plate holder, hidden exhaust outlets and touch-sensitive door release keypads mounted in the door window glass.
Bevel offers unique, function-inspired asymmetrical styling, a high-utility three-zone interior and technology ranging from glass roof-mounted solar panels to drive-by-wire steering, throttle and braking.