Safety is paramount, especially concerning compact vehicles. Therefore Nissan's new concept features a multitude of airbags in case of accident, and intelligent cruise control, traction control and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) to avoid one in the first place.
Speaking as a family man, that last point is important. I also appreciate the practical aspects of every minivan I get to test, yet have to admit to simultaneously being pulled toward sports models with an addict's conviction. Due to its unique combination of qualities, I like the idea of the Evalia. It offers most of the performance and functionality that I would want, while adding a few personal touches that cause the bond between man and machine, so important in today's highly competitive market.
Will Nissan produce it? That remains to be seen. Does the automaker, in the middle of the most impressive product offensive in all of autodom, need another model in its lineup right now? Another question without a definitive answer, but marketing dollars and consumer overwhelm are always important aspects when a new model is considered.
Of course if developed into production, and only then if Nissan opts to bring it to the North American market, it would be more than a year away, when most of Nissan's current crop of new entries will be in the middle of their respective lifecycles. Then it could do battle with the Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Matrix, PT Cruiser, and who knows what else, in the compact crossover segment. What do you say Nissan?
Specifications:
- Body Type: 5-door sedan/hatchback/minivan/SUV crossover
- Layout: front engine, AWD
- Base Engine (est): 177 hp, 181 lb-ft of torque, 2.5-L, 16-valve, DOHC I-4
- Transmission: 7-spd CVT with steering-wheel controls
- Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS
- Seating Capacity: 4
- Web Site: www.nissan.ca