Nissan unveils Hyper Tourer concept EV

If you were eager to know what Nissan has been cooking up for the Japan Mobility Show, we've got the latest dish. Introducing the Nissan Hyper Tourer, an all-electric minivan concept that - according to Nissan - seeks to channel omotenashi (Japanese hospitality).

The Hyper Tourer is designed with occupant's comfort as a top priority. And one of the best things about being inside it is clearly that you won't have look at that exterior any longer.

The exterior - in Nissan's words - exudes a traditional Japanese aesthetic, blending seamlessly with the environment. As much as the samurai sword seamlessly blends in with kitchen utensils. The smooth body panels, contrasted with sharp character lines, are supposed to hint at the comfort cocooned inside - to our untrained eye the Hyper Tourer looks as if it came straight from a Manga comic book.

Yes, the undisputed aerodynamic flow of the sides promises an efficient ride and autonomous driving is here to take care of the boring act of the actual driving. And, lest we forget, the kumiko-patterned wheels and the waistline headlights give it that extra dash of Japanese elegance. But honestly - it's a lot to take in.

On the inside, the Hyper Tourer goes big on space, courtesy of the Nissan EV Technology Vision. This nifty innovation combines compact elements and high-energy-density all-solid-state batteries, paving the way for unique car packaging. This translates to a low center of gravity and, when paired with the advanced e-4ORCE all-wheel control system, ensures that the ride is as smooth as butter. Add to it the overhead console and floor lighting that infuse Japanese kumiko and koushi patterns, and we have a complete mashup of digital elements and nature.

The V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) functionality is present as well, backed by a robust battery, lets you supply electricity to your home, stores, and even offices while you’re on the move. In a true concept car approach though, Nissan is silent on the battery details.

The autonomous driving feature in the Hyper Tourer promises to take the driving experience to another level. It’s not about the destination, it's about the journey, right? To that end, the driver's seat swivels 360 degrees. So, conversations no longer need to happen over the shoulder. Rear passengers also get to play with a wearable display, controlling navigation and audio – promoting, as Nissan puts it, "a sense of unity among all occupants". And there's even an AI system that tracks your biometrics and tunes the environment inside the car accordingly. Heart rate going up? Maybe you need some calming tunes.

The Nissan Hyper Tourer is a futuristic vision of what road trips could be – a fusion of luxury and convenience, framed within a sleek package. But honestly - it is so futuristic that even in the future it would be considered as far out at best.

It seems Nissan is looking to redefine the way we look at group travel. How far is it from making this a reality? Far, far away - almost in a distant galaxy far away. It seems Nissan has handed the design office keys to graphic designers with a penchant for Manga and sci-fi games. What will come of the Hyper Tourer? At best an updated Nissan Staria with Leaf-like headlights and a powertrain from Ariya. So much for hyping up our expectations.

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