Nissan is unpacking: four new study models, two fully electric

Last year, Nissan brought five study models to the Japan Mobility Show: the Hyper Force, the Hyper Urban, Hyper Adventure, Hyber Tourer and the Hyper Punk. Two of those Hyper study models – the Hyper Force and the Hyper Punk – are now also shining on the Auto China exhibition floor. But Nissan is not just bringing old acquaintances to that Chinese car party. It will also present four completely new show cars to the public. With the foursome, the brand says it heralds a new era for Nissan in China. The study models were therefore created together with joint venture partner DongFeng.

Nissan’s four new study models. From left to right: the Era, the Evo, the Epoch and the Epic.

Two of these conceptual newcomers have an electric powertrain: the Epoch Concept and the Epic Concept. The Nissan Epoch Concept is an electric sedan for – hold on – “[…] urban and suburban go-getters who want to enhance their lifestyle with design and technology.” In contrast to the busy Hyper studies, the Epoch Concept is remarkably free of such frills. We see an apparently smooth mid-size sedan with recessed door handles, a sloping buttock. and sleek LED lighting at the front and rear. Unfortunately, as with the other three newcomers, we still have to make do without technical specifications.

Then the second EV: the Nissan Epic Concept. The Nissan Epic Concept is a fully electric SUV, a car that with a little imagination you can see as a future electric equivalent of the X-Trail. The study model has a high nose with an enthusiastic series of vertical LED stripes, handles recessed in the doors and rear lights that, like the lighting elements at the front, mainly consist of vertical modules. The interior is quite minimalist in design. The Epic Concept has digital instruments whose size pales in comparison to that of the infotainment screen and the extra display for the co-driver. The virtual dog that we see in the display is striking. Undoubtedly, that is the digital embodiment of a digital AI assistant. According to Nissan, the Epic Concept is “perfect for adventurous couples who live in the city but get out on the weekends.

The remaining two study models have a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The first is called Era Concept and that is also an SUV. In fact, it looks very similar to the Epic Concept. However, the two differ at the level of detail. Nissan describes the Era Concept as a car for ‘young business people’ with an ‘urban lifestyle’ who use their car as a second home. Beautiful. The fourth and final newcomer is the Evo Concept. Just like the Epoch, it is also a four-door sedan. However, it has a completely different body, even the design of the windows does not match. Unfortunately, Nissan does not share any technical information about this show car either.