Go to Ultimatecarpage.com

  Ultimatecarpage.com  > Cars by brand  > Japan  > Nissan
Urge Concept
Car search:
Quick Advanced 


  Nissan Urge Concept      

  Article Image gallery (10) Specifications  
Click here to open the Nissan Urge Concept gallery   
Country of origin:Japan
Produced in:2006
Introduced at:2006 NAIAS
Source:Company press release
Last updated:January 02, 2006
Download: All images
Page 1 of 1
Click here to download printer friendly versionIt seems fitting that one of the key sources of inspiration for the dramatic new Nissan URGE concept, a spare, technology-heavy, performance-oriented sports car design exercise, would be found online - in the results of an Internet survey of approximately 2,000 young car and gaming enthusiasts. Asked what they would ideally want in a car, the top responses were "performance" and "technology."

URGE, which makes its world debut at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2006, addresses all of these issues. In creating the URGE concept, the designers at NDA, kept these core survey results in mind - while adding a few ideas of their own. URGE emerged as a minimalist sports car - pure Nissan in its look, innovative features, spirited performance and, certainly, its sports car heritage. URGE is also infused with a gamer's sense of adventure - with the bare, exposed look and driving experience of a high performance motorcycle, but balanced with a high level of safety features.

The front-engine, rear-wheel drive URGE is designed to be lightweight - with a target weight of just 2,400 pounds - and active. Its performance is expressed in quickness and agility, rather than brute horsepower and top-end acceleration. Its wheelbase is the same length as Nissan's popular 350Z, but URGE's unique, open body is a full 16 inches shorter than the Z thanks to its short front and rear overhangs. URGE utilizes a quick, high-revving, small-displacement engine, 6-speed manual sequential (motorcycle-style) gearbox and 350Z-style quick-stopping Brembo brake system. The wheels are a lightweight 9-spoke spun aluminium-alloy design, 19-inch front/20-inch rear, and the tires are narrow Michelin (195/45R19 front, 225/35R20 rear) sizes, reinforcing the motorcycle-style look and performance feel.

URGE's bare, exposed exterior is highlighted by its cycle-style fenders and stripped away body panels. The special glass hood exposes the top of the engine, while the doors feature see-through cutouts. The body is highlighted by an extensive aluminium "cage" structure, which includes an aluminium center structure that runs from the engine bay to the interior center console. The URGE exterior also features aluminium/composite construction and a collapsible, storable manually operated canvas top. The 4-bar hinge scissor doors are extra long for access to the rear seat. When the door release button is engaged, the glass panel of the unique door cutout slides up, allowing the occupant's legs to easily pass in or out.

URGE's unique third bucket seat is tucked behind the driver and passenger in a hidden compartment. When the cover, which is activated by the driver's cell phone, is down, URGE looks like a traditional sports car. When up, there's room for an additional passenger. The URGE interior also features an F1-style steering wheel and a compact instrument panel with a driver information monitor, two side screens and a pair of docking stations for the driver's mp3 audio player and cell phone. The center monitor can be switched between five customizable screens, including navigation system, climate controls, audio and suspension/performance tuning. The menus are scrollable using steering wheel-mounted controls.

Other URGE interior features include the racing-style lightweight mesh-and-leather bucket seats, billet aluminium center console, perforated metal mesh-covered silicone foam instrument panel material, visible passenger-side air bag, and racing-style, durable rubber flooring. Another unique feature of the URGE concept is its integrated gaming system. Powered by Xbox 360, when the driver wants to change to game mode, he or she disengages the driving controls and activates the game system. A screen folds down from the rearview mirror, the steering wheel and pedals become game controls, and the game's audio is played through the vehicle's audio system. The URGE concept feature a special Nissan-only demonstration edition of Project Gotham Racing 3.

Page 1 of 1

  Article Image gallery (10) Specifications