Nissan Sport Sedan Concept Provides a Glimpse of the Future

Calling it an "advanced look at a future production sports sedan," Nissan debuted the Sport Sedan Concept vehicle at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The automaker says this new concept car displays next-generation Nissan design signatures including what it calls "V-motion" front styling, boomerang-shaped headlights and taillights, and a floating roof design.

"Our new design direction mirrors the strength, power, and capabilities of the engineering and innovation that serves as the foundation of every Nissan vehicle," said Nissan senior vice fresident and chief creative officer Shiro Nakamura. "Nissan is a brand for people seeking bold and passionate experiences, and who are willing to make choices outside of traditional boundaries. That's why Nissan is committed to breaking new ground in automotive design, as expressed in the stunning new Sport Sedan Concept."

Read between the lines, and the Nissan Sport Sedan Concept points the way toward a next-generation Maxima, which serves as the company's flagship sedan and which the automaker calls a 4-door sports car.

Equipped with LED lighting, 21-inch wheels, and Strad Amber paint, which Nissan says is inspired by "the rich finish of noted classic violins, instruments capable of producing vibrant intensity at times and at other times a soft stillness," the Sport Sedan Concept employs a familiar drivetrain. Under that V-Motion hood resides a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, continuously variable transmission (CVT), and front-wheel drive. Nissan says the engine makes more than 300 horsepower, compared with the current Maxima, which generates 290.

Nissan shared no other details about the Sport Sedan Concept, except to claim that the interior is inspired by modern furniture, employs premium materials, features a high-contrast color scheme, and uses diamond-shaped graphics to give the cabin's surfaces a three-dimensional appearance. The Nissan Sport Sedan Concept was designed in California.

Additional Research:

• 2014 Nissan Maxima Overview

• 2014 Nissan Versa

• Nissan Car & Truck Ratings

• 2014 Nissan Cars Buyer's Guide