Nissan’s ingenious NV200 Van Concept

One of the challenges in writing stories for an emerging technology magazine is to avoid continuously using the word ingenious, but the NV200 to be shown by Nissan at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show is exactly that. The shell of a vehicle is by necessity an exoskeleton, which means that access to van-like vehicles is typically from the inside, but this new design takes a totally different approach. Combining a mobile office and van in one unique package, designers have incorporated a sliding removable pod that makes the NV200 one out of the box – literally – and although inspired by the very specific requirements of one customer, the basic concept has serious potential for all manner of different applications.

“A commercial vehicle has a specific job to perform, but that’s no reason to design a purely rational vehicle with no warmth. In NV200, function becomes the aesthetic. NV200 is a highly efficient tool but one with a human touch,” said Shiro Nakamura, senior vice president and chief creative officer at Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

At a glance:

-Mobile office and van in one unique package

-Sliding cargo ‘pod’ extends to reveal…

- … IT workspace and living quarters

The joint design team from Japan and the UK has developed what is described as a radical, futuristic, but practical new concept inspired by the requirements of professional diver, marine biologist and underwater photographer Dr Alex Mustard. This entails that the vehicle design cater for all the requirements of a full-blown underwater photography expedition – everything from underwater cameras, lights, scuba gear, computer equipment and mobile communication equipment to dry clothes, food and somewhere to sleep - even an underwater scooter for trips beneath the surface.

The result is the NV200. From the outside, the long 2820mm wheelbase and 1840mm high with a cab-forward design are apparent, along with a wraparound grille and rising side windows that accentuate a high waistline and underline the van’s load carrying ability.

Exterior aside, the defining feature is the patented sliding cargo pod which is divided into a number of separate areas into which different pieces of diving and photographic equipment can be stored. The pod slides out rear-wards to allow easy access to the storage zones and sits on integrated ‘drop-down’ legs when fully extended.

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