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::Events>2002>Geneva Auto Show
One of the most significant auto shows on the international scene is taking place across the pond in Geneva, Switzerland. And considering its host nation’s reputation, it is considered to be one of the most neutral auto shows around as well. Its an auto show that typically sees its fair share of high-end model launches, and this year is no exception with such names as the BMW CS1 concept, the Volkswagen Phaeton, and the Mercedes
CLK.
Nissan is also making a bit of news, and not all is good. Following the showing of Nissan’s boxy Chappo concept, Nissan took the wraps off of an equally squared Yanya concept
SUV.
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Basically, its another vehicle meant to create “new limits of flexibility and technology for the next generation of young people.” At least, that’s what Nissan thinks it is. Perhaps the most interesting thing about this crate on wheels is that it is based on the new March/Micra’s platform, which happens to be co-designed by Nissan and Renault. It also features Nissan’s new “E.4WD” system that we’ll discuss in a minute. It’s fully possible that something quite like this could hit the streets of Japan or Europe in the near future, perhaps in the guise of a redesigned Nissan
Cube?
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The Yanya’s exterior design was meant to be rugged, yet modern. Although in this era of arched rooflines, some may think the design seems a bit dated right out of the box, pardon the pun.“It’s important to understand that the Yanya doesn’t create a lifestyle - it reflects, and can adapt to, the diverse and sophisticated lifestyles of the future urban generation,” explains Chief Designer Masato Inoue. “The type of people we envisage for this car are young and sociable, but above all individual - they have an inherent sense of contemporary style, and are forward-thinking, but they set their own standards.” Covering the Yanya’s substantial wheel arches, front and rear bumpers, and 18-inch 4-spoke wheels is a colored, translucent, and soft-touch acrylic gel. “The acrylic also allows you to see the structure beneath,” says Masato Inoue, “and this transparency is another key feature of the overall design.
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The tinted acrylic gel continues into the interior, where it is color coded to indicate function switches. The seats themselves seem to be a focal point of the design. They are supported by a thick, tubular steel backbone with the cushions attached to them. The rear seats can be slid forward and stashed behind the front ones. The rear cargo area features a power liner that can protect the floor, rear doors, and because it has its own bulkhead, the rest of the interior as well. In tandem with this is a rear roof section that can be opened to turn the Yanya into a pickup of sorts. Typical for concept cars, the Yanya is loaded with the latest IT systems to keep driver and passenger connected to the world while out doing one of their many active lifestyle sports.
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Nissan’s E.4WD system allows for the Yanya’s four-wheel drive capability. The system consists of a rear wheel drive unit comprised of a motor, clutch and reduction gear, a generator that serves as the power source for driving the motor, and a 4WD control unit that manages the drive system. When the front wheels slip, the control unit activates the generator that powers the motor for the rear wheels. With this separate engine design, there is no need for a propeller shaft, added to interior space and cutting curb weight. Look for this system in the future.
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In other Nissan Europe news related to the Geneva show, president Carlos Ghosn announced during a press conference that Nissan is reducing it’s previous estimates for capturing 5% of the European market share by 2005. The company now expects to be able to get 4%, citing the hefty costs the push for 5% would bring. "You look first for profitability," Ghosn said in an interview at the Geneva Motor Show. Nissan’s European share in 2001 was at 2.5%. "We see (industry sales in) Europe stable, down in Japan and a little bit down in the U.S.," he said.
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