Nissan TeRRA SUV

TeRRA, the SUV crossover unveiled in September at the Paris Motor Show, powerfully testifies to Nissan's willingness to fully drive into sustainable motoring territory.
An innovative fuel cell electric powertrain is the highlight of this exciting zero-emission effort by the company, fuel cells being the new frontier of eco-mobility. The front wheels are powered by an electric propulsion system placed under the bonnet already present in Nissan's LEAF model, while each back wheel features an in-wheel electric motor.

When it comes to TeRRA as a design concept, its peculiarity and innovative streak rest in the way it challenges the convention of electric vehicles being strictly tiny, sleek and light. As cued by its sturdy exterior, TeRRA is conceived as equally apt for silently gliding in a urban context as for making it on a tougher road. It is a new approach to SUV, so as to render this format relevant to the eco-friendly necessities of modern urban life as well as providing the driver with a secure feeling on diverse road and weather conditions. Big tires and thick side windows evoke the SUV format, while elements such as a slender waist, sculptured bonnet and overall sharp corners and clean lines lighten up the bulk of its structure and add to the feeling of the so-called "modern toughness" Nissan aims for. The inspiration for the car and its design stems from Northern Europe and the lifestyle of elegant and educated, youthful consumers which are environmentally conscious and innovation-oriented.

The shiny exterior gives way to a warm and comforting interior setup Norwegian wood-style. Here recyclable plywood and colored acrylic are woven together in an interesting pattern, making up the surface of the door panel and the dashboard. An electronic tablet is featured as a key instrument of seamless information for the driver. In line with the trend of portable devices, the tablet acts as a smart key the driver can dock in behind the steering wheel when entering the car and remove when leaving. Vehicle instrumentation and infotainment systems are all run by the tablet. Being removable, the tablet can be brought home so as to monitor car functions and performance. The seating also is arranged in an unconventional quasi-diagonal layout. The driver takes up an almost central position, so as to ensure exceptional visibility and a unique driving experience also for the rear passengers, better engaged to take part in the potential great outdoors adventures inevitably ahead of the TeRRA user. To the point, the boot floor is completely flat, devoid of hurdles for carrying gear, the flat structure being a by-product of the compactness achieved by the fuel cell and electric motor ensemble.

Purely a concept car and not a technical exhibit, TeRRA nonetheless signals Nissan's readiness to mass-produce fuel cell electric vehicles in the future. Moreover, as it stands TeRRA could influence the design and extrinsic cues and details of future company vehicles and inspire the employment of its technology in showroom models of the future.