Nissan Hi-Cross

Last updated
Nissan Hi-Cross
2012-03-07 Motorshow Geneva 4557.JPG
Overview
Manufacturer Nissan
Model years 2012 (Geneva International Auto Show)
Body and chassis
Class Compact crossover SUV
Body style 5-door SUV
Layout Front-engine, four-wheel drive.
Powertrain
Engine [ 2.0L [hybrid] I4]
Transmission CVT
Chronology
Successor Nissan X-Trail (3rd generation)

The Nissan Hi-Cross is a concept SUV designed by the Japanese Nissan Motors Company. This concept was unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. It also carried with the modern philosophy of design and the new technology of Nissan. [1]

Contents

Nissan has added a number of streamlining elements of rectangle and cross-country appearance design to the Hi-cross concept SUV for improvement from the previous convention, including larger size sports alloy wheels, new designed distinct character line from the hood down its flanks to D-pillar and others, which made the vehicle to be a more fashion and younger SUV . [2]

This concept SUV was also an experiment and a show of the new technology invented by the Nissan Company. Instead of the traditional large displacement engine, Nissan equipped the Hi-Cross with a 2.0-liter gas and electric hybrid engine to save the energy and reduce the pollution. [3] And the newly designed CVT transmission will reduce more fuel than before. [4]

As the concept Hi-cross was a compact or middle size SUV with normal 5 or 7 seats, it was estimated that the processor of the concept Hi-cross might be the third generation of Nissan X-Trail [5] and its main competitors will be the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5. [3] [2]

Overview

Background

In 2012, Japanese Motors Company, Nissan unveiled its new concept SUV, which was named as Hi-cross to the world in the 2012 Geneva International Auto Show [2] and also made its debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show for the North American market, which carried with the dramatic and athletic designing than before and the advanced technology of Nissan. [6] According to the manufacturers, the 'Hi' means high-riding, high innovation, high excitement and high extended value. [3]

Design

Compared to the previous conservative and cross-country SUV design, Nissan has added a significant number of modern and athletic designing elements for both the appearance and the interior of the Hi-cross concept SUV. [6]

For the styling of appearance, it combined the existing Nissan SUV designing with some new elements. [6] In the front of the SUV, it has a characteristic V-shaped Nissan grille set off by distinctive and deeply tapered LED headlamps rather than the rectangle and halogen lamps before. [6]  For the two sides of the SUV, it was designed by the combination of deeply tapered LED headlamps and the curved hood line, metallic splash guard and 21-inch sports alloy wheels. [6] [7] And the whole SUV was adopted a progressive crossover design, which was the character line extended from the hood down its flanks down to the D-pillar. [2] At the back of the Hi-Cross Concept, it was set off by a sculpted rear hatchback and extended rear roof spoiler and there were some stylish and trapezoidal LED tail lights that reflected the headlamp.  And from the exhibition car, it can be found that the fog lamps perfectly fit with the deep custom Aurora Green painting, which was accordance with the Aesthetic design. [6] [8]

Moreover, the most dramatic designing of Hi-cross SUV was the inter-space of the car. According to the data released by Nissan, the size of the Hi-cross concept SUV was 4660 mm long, 1850 mm wide and 1670 mm tall which was normally like a compact exterior. [9] However, the inside of Hi-cross was roomy with a 109.4-inch wheelbase and three rows of seating for seven, which made it more like a middle size SUV. This made the car have larger loading and more inter-space for passengers, which would make the Hi-cross concept SUV be more competitive. [8]

And when going inside, it can be found that he Hi-Cross Concept's cockpit was dominated by a T-wing shaped dash, which would bring an elevated sense of connection for the driver and front passenger.  And the T-wing dash which was designed by a sculpted center console, matched the two-tone door panels and wonderful styled steering wheel. [6] [7]

Technology

The main technologies of Nissan Hi-cross concept SUV were about the new engine and the new transmission.

Engine

Instead of the traditional large displacement V6 engine, the High-cross SUV was equipped with a hybrid 2.0-liter direct injection petrol engine and electric motor. The Hi-cross would rely in the petrol engine as the main power, while the electric motor will reduce the emissions and save the economy. Meanwhile, the power outputted by the new hybrid engine was expected to achieve the level of a 2.5-litter engine, which would not decrease the efficiency of the car. [7] [8]

According to Nissan, the lithium-ion battery which powered the electric motor will be fast-charging and high output, it was coupled to a 2.0-liter supercharged direct injection petrol engine, which was a success of the innovation and has developed for the award-winning technology, Nissan LEAF®. [10] [8]

Under the innovation of engine, it would be affordable and packaged to adopt "one-motor, two clutch" technology, which was the first clutch was installed between patrol engine and electric motor for fully decoupling the patrol engine when the car was driving in electricity and the second clutch would be located behind the transmission for helping smooth the transition. In this way, more energy would be saved and fully used to increase the working efficiency of the engine and save the fuel. [6]

Transmission

The other advanced technology of the Hi-cross was the new generation XTRONIC CVT transmission.

For the Hi-Cross, it was adopted the HEV drivetrain, which was based on the technology modified by four-wheel drive models rather than the previous front-wheel drive wheels. And the innovation of the new system, whose approach was affording and packing adopts 'one-motor, two clutch' technology, was attribute to the Nissan's new generation XTRONIC continuously variable CVT transmission, which would achieve a 10 percent improvement in the fuel emission comparing with the previous generation's CVT transmissions. [8] [9]

The new generation XTRONIC CVT transmission would be a low-friction and smaller shaft-diameter pulleys designed, which would provide the widest ratio coverage for shifting more smoothly to enhance the efficiency. [6] The new advanced XTRONIC CVT transmission would be more smooth and could be better coordinated with the advanced 2.0 hybrid engine and the new all wheels system, which made the Hi-cross to be an economy vehicle with higher level technology and excellent performance. [10]

Influences and Successor

Influences

Since the new designing of the appearance was sleeker and rounder, the designing of the interior was exquisite and athletic of the concept Hi-cross SUV, this showed the Nissan was clear to the SUV fashion designing around the world and had already lead the crossover segment in the world. And this has also showed the Nissan might have a large competitiveness of the designing in the market of SUV in future. And the advanced technology of the hybrid engine and the CVT transmission would reduce fuel use by 10%, which would reduce more CO2 emissions and save the fuel energy, which was accordance with the view of environmental production and energy economy. Also the decreasing fuel made the Hi-cross more economic and increased the cost performance of the SUV and hence if the Hi-cross publish to the market, there would be more consumers interested in it because of the economy saving property. [10] [9] [6] All of their influences would make Nissan have a strong competitiveness in the market. [6] [9]

Successor

Comparing with other SUVs in the Nissan Family, the Hi-cross concept SUV was bigger than the small-size SUV, Juke, whose size was wheelbase 2,530 mm, 4,125 mm length, 1,765 mm width and 1,570 mm height [11] but was still smaller than the Mid-size SUV, Pathfinder (wheelbase 2,649 mm, 5,042 mm length, 1,689 width and 1,768 height). [12] Hence, it might be a compact SUV. [13]

And considering the size and power, it was similar to the second generation Nissan X-trail, which was wheelbase 2,629 mm, 4,640 mm length,1,806 mm width and 1,780 mm height, 2.0 L and 2.5 L engine. [14] It was estimated that the Hi-cross concept SUV had a large possibility to be the new generation (3rd) of the Nissan X-Trail. [5] [15] [13]

Potential competitors

Since it was estimated by the motor manufacturers and other automobile distribution platforms that the Hi-cross Concept SUV might be the third generation of Nissan X-trail, there might be some competitors in the market of future for the Hi-cross SUV.

Firstly, as the engine of Hi-cross was 2.0 L hybrid of gas and electric and would normally output the power of a 2.5 L gas engine which was used by Mazda CX-5 now, it was estimated that one of a major competitor for Hi-cross in future might be the Mazda CX-5, which had a good selling and reputation in the present market and has already been one of the competitors of second generation Nissan X-trail. However, as the design of Nissan Hi-cross concept SUV was more modern and fashionable, and the size of Hi-cross was also a bit larger than Mazda CX-5. There is strong possibility for Hi-cross to exceed the sales volume of CX-5. [3]

On the other hand, as the top-selling in the market of compact size SUV, Toyota RAV4 was always been called the best cost-efficient compact SUV because of the cheaper price, good quality and fuel-efficient. Hence, if the Hi-cross SUV would be officially put on sale in future, it would also face to competing with RAV4. And for preparing this, Hi-cross had better continue advancing their technology and the designing. For the technology, it should make the energy-efficiency and power much better, which can be improved by modifying the performance of engine and make the transmission much more smooth, the chassis and the system of all wheel drive more steady. And for the inside designing, the Hi-cross should pay more attention on increasing the safety and comfort of passengers and installing more advanced electronic equipment and vehicle-mounted system. [2]

Other potential competitors could be the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe and Mitsubishi Outlander, because they were also the main competitors of previous Nissan X-Trail before the Hi-Cross. The Honda CR-V has the larger and more comfortable space for passengers and more perfectly laid out and dashboard for the driver. And because the CR-V's displacement was smaller than the previous X-Trail, it could be much cheaper to purchase CR-V rather than X-Trail. The Hyundai Santa Fe had a premium and stylish looking for both outside and inside than the X-Trail and it was a mid-size SUV, whose level was higher than the X-Trail but will not paid much extra money. And comparing with X-Trail, the Mitsubishi Outlander had the more advanced inside technology, which were sat-nav, cruise control and a lane departure warning system and a better cross-country performance. [16] Hence, if the Hi-Cross wants to formally appear on the market in future, which also wants to quote the platform of new generation Nissan X-Trail, it had better consider about these SUVs as potential competitors to improve its designing and technology.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Subaru Forester</span> Motor vehicle

The Subaru Forester is a compact crossover SUV that has been manufactured by Subaru since 1997. The first generation was built on the platform of the Impreza in the style of a taller station wagon, a style that continued to the second generation, while the third-generation model onwards moved towards a crossover SUV design. A performance model was available for the second-generation Forester in Japan as the Forester STi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infiniti</span> Japanese luxury car brand, a subsidiary of Nissan

Infiniti is the luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Nissan. Infiniti officially started selling vehicles on November 8, 1989, in North America. The marketing network for Infiniti-branded vehicles included dealers in over 50 countries in the 2010s. As of 2020, there were 25 markets served by new car dealers. The main markets are North America, China, and the Middle East.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nissan Maxima</span> Motor vehicle

The Nissan Maxima is a car manufactured and marketed by Nissan and offered as Nissan's flagship sedan primarily in North America, the Middle East, South Korea, and China—and currently in its eighth generation. Having debuted for model year 1982 as the Datsun Maxima, it replaced the earlier Datsun 810. The name Maxima dates to model year 1981 when Datsun marketed the upscale 810 as the 810 Maxima in North America. Like the 810, early versions of the Maxima had their origins in the Datsun/Nissan Bluebird. It is renamed to Nissan Maxima when the Datsun brand was phased out for model year 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nissan Pathfinder</span> Motor vehicle

The Nissan Pathfinder is a range of sport utility vehicles manufactured by Nissan since 1985. Until the third-generation model, the Pathfinder is based on Nissan's compact pickup truck platform which it shares with the Navara/Frontier. The front end of the D21 and R51 Pathfinder is notably identical with the Navara/Frontier up until the B-pillars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Continuously variable transmission</span> Automotive transmission technology

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is an automated transmission that can change through a continuous range of gear ratios. This contrasts with other transmissions that provide a limited number of gear ratios in fixed steps. The flexibility of a CVT with suitable control may allow the engine to operate at a constant angular velocity while the vehicle moves at varying speeds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nissan Sentra</span> Car model

The Nissan Sentra is a series of automobiles manufactured by the Japanese automaker Nissan since 1982. Since 1999, the Sentra has been categorized as a compact car, while previously it occupied the subcompact class. Until 2006, Sentra was a rebadged export version of the Japanese Nissan Sunny, but since the 2013 model year, Sentra is a rebadged export version of the Sylphy. The Sentra nameplate is not used in Japan. Many other countries in Latin America sell their versions of the Sunny as the Sentra. In Mexico, the first three generations of the Sentra were known as the Nissan Tsuru, and the B13 model was sold under that name until 2017, alongside the updated models badged as Sentra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nissan Murano</span> Motor vehicle

The Nissan Murano is a mid-size crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by Nissan since May 2002 for the 2003 model year, and currently in its third generation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nissan X-Trail</span> Motor vehicle

The Nissan X-Trail is a compact crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automaker Nissan since 2000. Since its introduction, the X-Trail is positioned below the truck-based Xterra and Pathfinder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki SX4</span> Motor vehicle

The Suzuki SX4 is a subcompact car and crossover produced by Japanese automaker Suzuki since 2006. A successor of the Aerio tall hatchback and sedan, the first-generation model was available as a hatchback and sedan, with the former available in both front- and four-wheel drive and as a rebadged version in Europe called the Fiat Sedici.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toyota Ist</span> Motor vehicle

The Toyota Ist is a subcompact car manufactured by the Japanese automaker Toyota. It is exported to the United States as the Scion xA and Scion xD, the Middle East as the Toyota xA and to Europe and Latin America as the Toyota Urban Cruiser for the second generation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nissan Note</span> Motor vehicle

The Nissan Note is a supermini/subcompact hatchback or a mini MPV manufactured and marketed globally by Nissan. Introduced in 2004, the first-generation Note was primarily marketed in Japan and Europe, and was produced in Japan and the United Kingdom. The second-generation model was sold in other regions, including North America where it was manufactured in Mexico and marketed as the Versa Note, and Thailand, where it serves as one of the B-segment hatchback offered by the brand alongside the smaller March/Micra under the Eco Car tax scheme.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nissan Qashqai</span> Motor vehicle

The Nissan Qashqai is a compact crossover SUV (C-segment) designed and produced by the Japanese car manufacturer Nissan since 2006. The first generation of the vehicle was sold as the Nissan Dualis in Japan and Australia, and Qashqai in the rest of the world. The second generation, which was released in 2014, was not sold in Japan and was badged as the Qashqai in all countries it was sold, except in the United States, where it was rebadged as the Nissan Rogue Sport. The third and current generation was released in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault Koleos</span> Motor vehicle

The Renault Koleos is a compact crossover SUV manufactured by the French manufacturer Renault. The majority of the production is coming from the Busan plant of Renault Samsung Motors. The first generation was marketed as the Renault Samsung QM5 and the second generation is marketed as the Renault Samsung QM6. It was first presented as a concept car at the Geneva Motor Show in 2000, and then as a production model in 2006 at the Paris Motor Show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nissan Rogue</span> Compact crossover SUV by Nissan

The Nissan Rogue is a compact crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan. It made its debut in October 2007 for the 2008 model year. Beginning in 2013 for the 2014 model year, the model has been merged with the X-Trail sold outside the North American market, making them identical. It is currently Nissan's best-selling vehicle in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault Samsung SM5</span> Motor vehicle

The Renault Samsung SM5 is a mid-size car or large family car produced by the South Korean manufacturer Renault Samsung Motors, with technical assistance from Japanese automaker Nissan. Between 1998 and 2012, Renault Samsung Motors had produced 680,000 SM5 models. In 2018, 10,002 models were made at the Busan plant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nissan Juke</span> Subcompact crossover SUV

The Nissan Juke is a subcompact crossover SUV (B-segment) produced by the Japanese car manufacturer Nissan since 2010. Debuted as a production vehicle at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show in March, it was introduced to North America at the 2010 New York International Auto Show to be sold for the 2011 model year, and it currently slots below the compact Qashqai.

Skyactiv is a brand name for a series of automobile technologies developed by Mazda that increase fuel efficiency and engine output. The initial announcement of the Skyactiv technologies included new engines, transmissions, body, and chassis, which appeared in Mazda products from 2011 onwards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toyota C-HR</span> Subcompact crossover SUV

The Toyota C-HR is a subcompact crossover SUV manufactured by Japanese automaker Toyota since 2016. The development of the car began in 2013, led by Toyota chief engineer Hiroyuki Koba. The C-HR is based on the same TNGA-C (GA-C) platform as the E210 series Corolla, and positioned between the Corolla Cross and Yaris Cross in size.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda WR-V</span> Subcompact crossover SUV

The Honda WR-V is a subcompact crossover SUV manufactured by Honda since 2017 and mainly sold for emerging markets. It is positioned below the HR-V/Vezel or the BR-V depending on the market where it is sold. For the first generation, it was a crossover-styled derivative of the third-generation Fit/Jazz with different front fascia and bonnet treatments. Introduced at the 2016 São Paulo International Motor Show, the first-generation WR-V was built and specifically sold for the South American and Indian market. The second-generation model introduced in Indonesia in 2022 is based on the shortened second-generation BR-V's platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Subaru Crosstrek</span> Motor vehicle

The Subaru Crosstrek is a subcompact crossover SUV produced by Subaru since 2012. It is a successor to the Outback Sport in the United States and Canada, and the Impreza XV globally. Like the Outback Sport, the Crosstrek is a lifted Impreza hatchback with minor differences, though with a more substantial lift than the Outback Sport.

References

  1. Weiss, C.C (March 10, 2012). "Nissan's Hi-Cross Concept SUV points to design of future models". newatlas.com. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "NISSAN UNVEILS HI-CROSS CONCEPT". Auto123.com. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Worthy, Stephen (7 March 2012). "Nissan Hi-Cross Concept at 2012 Geneva motor show". Car Magazine. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  4. Hagon, Toby (2016-10-07). "New Nissan SUV range previewed". Drive. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
  5. 1 2 Timmins, Ben (February 27, 2012). "NISSAN HI-CROSS CONCEPT AND X-TRAIL Nissan to debut refreshed X-trail and Hi-Cross Concept". Motortrend. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Nissan Hi-Cross Concept Previews Future Crossover Design and Technology Direction". Nissan | Online Newsroom. 28 November 2012. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
  7. 1 2 3 "Nissan's Bold New World Previewed at Geneva". Nissan Online Newsroom. 6 March 2012. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Nissan Hi-Cross Crossover Concept Car | Nissan USA". Nissan. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Nissan Shows Future Crossover Thinking". Nissan Online Newsroom. 6 March 2012. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  10. 1 2 3 "Nissan Press Conference, Geneva Motor Show 2012: Andy Palmer". Nissan Online Newsroom. 6 March 2012. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  11. "Nissan Juke Size & Dimensions Guide | The Car People". www.thecarpeople.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
  12. "2019 Nissan Pathfinder | Specifications - Car Specs | Auto123". auto123.com. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
  13. 1 2 Stevens, Mike (2012-03-06). "Nissan Hi-Cross Revealed: Is This The New X-Trail?". The Motor Report. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
  14. "Nissan™ Official UK Website | Discover Our Full Vehicle Range". Nissan. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
  15. "Nissan Hi-Cross is our next X-Trail". CarsGuide. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  16. "The best alternatives to the Nissan X-Trail". carwow.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-06-08.