Showing a design philosophy inspired by the principles of Japanese minimalism and Bauhaus architecture, Nissan's impressive Crossbow SUV concept provides a hint about how a full-size SUV based on the company's upcoming full-size pickup truck might look.

Expected to appeal to successful, self-assured pioneer types who are young at heart and fascinated by nature and the outdoors, the V8-powered Crossbow is designed to go anywhere while providing high standards of comfort at all times. Think of it as Nissan's version of a Toyota Land Cruiser, and you won't be too far off the mark.

Resembling a Hummer from some angles, mostly due to the upright greenhouse and industrial styling elements, the Crossbow is not equipped with a B-pillar. The double doors are hinged at the A- and C-pillars for easy access to the expansive cabin.

Simplistic yet luxurious, the passenger compartment is trimmed in leather, wood and silver-plated metal. Notably, the seats are upholstered in a durable mesh rather than cow hide. The Crossbow is a four-seater with a full-length center console. All four seats can be removed, exposing a completely flat floor from the front wheelwells to the tailgate. Two jump seats are located in the cargo area and expand carrying capacity to six.

Three primary gauges are suspended in front of the driver. Most of Crossbow's other controls are operated by interfacing with a T-shaped 15-inch dual-zone display screen located in the center of the dashboard. When the navigation system is in use, the screen displays large-scale virtual reality mapping, which includes terrain information on road surface, traction levels, gradient and altitude. System functions can be controlled from the steering wheel or by using the controller on the center console or the touch-sensitive buttons flanking the screen. The system also provides Internet connectivity.

Resembling the throttle control of a jet aircraft, the automatic gearshift and differential lock selector dominates the center console. A special storage compartment in the dash contains two hand-held GPS devices so that when the Crossbow's owners go exploring, they'll be able to find their way home. When they return to their SUV, they can partake of a frosty beverage (thanks to the refrigerated glovebox) and enjoy a picnic using the chairs that clip into storage lockers in the cargo area. Overhead, storage compartments similar to those on an airplane swallow lots of gear.

Exterior styling includes large, straight-edged wheel arches, short overhangs, slab sides and a blunt nose sporting a mesh grille. A built-in winch hides behind a removable panel in the front bumper, while the side sills drop down to form a step when the doors are opened.

However, the Crossbow's upright cab profile and expansive greenhouse are the most intriguing design elements. Not only does this kind of structure provide maximum interior space, but also, in this case, it provides a flat, rubber-lined roof that will hold the weight of the occupants. This feature was inspired by the viewing platforms on safari vehicles. Wipers that hide behind the A-pillars and travel horizontally across the glass when in use, thus clearing every square inch of the surface, swipe the nearly vertical windshield.

Massive 20-inch wheels are managed by a four-wheel, multilink independent suspension with telescopic shocks. Michelin PAX tire technology allows for run-flat capability even though the tires aren't run-flats.

BACK TO THE 'CONCEPT'S INDEX