While lime green spills over from the cabin to accent the car's exterior, the URGE's silver slab-like side panels are also unorthodox,
interrupted only by the aforementioned door panel cutouts and sharply protruding fender flares, plus wedge-like sideview mirrors - probably too small to pass regulations.
That interior is truly expressive, and after taking a seat inside during its debut in Detroit, reasonably comfortable considering its sparsely padded, webbed back racing-style buckets; well comfortable other than the glare on the eyes. Some potential buyers will find its electric blue colored F1-style steering wheel, pod-style motorcycle inspired digital instrument cluster, perforated metal mesh-covered silicone foam instrument panel material, visible passenger-side airbag, racing-style durable rubber flooring, and yellowish green, green everywhere exciting, however, and the crowd that soon gathered around after its introduction certainly were smiling.
Over the hill auto journalists aren't the demographic Nissan is targeting with the URGE, however, the same types that went gaga for the Solstice when it debuted. No, the Japanese automaker made sure that its objectives were clear when integrating its Xbox 360 gaming system, featuring a fold-down display as part of the rearview mirror, the use of the steering wheel and pedals for game controls, obviously not while driving, and gaming audio through
the vehicle's speaker system. Project Gotham Racing 3 (the special Nissan edition is included) never got so realistic, and the system could even save lives if its potential owners managed to get their yah-yahs out virtually instead of on the road.
"In keeping with the rapidly changing technology demands of our target buyers, URGE allows the driver to be in charge and to bring to the vehicle a high degree of personalization. The navigation system is located in front of the driver, not the passenger, the driver's cell phone acts as Intelligent Key to start the vehicle. We provide the audio speakers, the owner provides the audio drivers," said Bruce Campbell, vice president, design, Nissan Design America, Inc. (NDA), La Jolla, California, where the concept was conceived.
Youth-oriented drivers should appreciate the quintuplet of customizable info screens set up around the driver, which allow the driver to personalize where the HVAC, navigation and
audio functions, among other features, are positioned with respect to priorities, in a similar fashion to how a computer's desktop or a website can be optimized for personal preferences. Cool.
The URGE also features MP3 player and cellphone docks, while the OEM cellphone can replace the remote as an Intelligent Key to enter the car and start the engine. Like the Chrysler Pacifica, of all non-related vehicles, the navigation screen sits in front of the driver, not on the narrow floating billet-aluminum centre stack cum console, which only features a digital exterior temperature gauge and three pod-like ancillary dials, for checking engine temperature, engine pressure and deciphering telemetries, above the minimalist gearbox controller, which incidentally connects through to a paddle-shift actuated six-speed sequential shifter.
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| While lime green spills over from the cabin to accent the car's exterior, the URGE's silver slab-like side panels are also unorthodox, (Photo: Nissan North America) |
That interior is truly expressive, and after taking a seat inside during its debut in Detroit, reasonably comfortable considering its sparsely padded, webbed back racing-style buckets; well comfortable other than the glare on the eyes. Some potential buyers will find its electric blue colored F1-style steering wheel, pod-style motorcycle inspired digital instrument cluster, perforated metal mesh-covered silicone foam instrument panel material, visible passenger-side airbag, racing-style durable rubber flooring, and yellowish green, green everywhere exciting, however, and the crowd that soon gathered around after its introduction certainly were smiling.
Over the hill auto journalists aren't the demographic Nissan is targeting with the URGE, however, the same types that went gaga for the Solstice when it debuted. No, the Japanese automaker made sure that its objectives were clear when integrating its Xbox 360 gaming system, featuring a fold-down display as part of the rearview mirror, the use of the steering wheel and pedals for game controls, obviously not while driving, and gaming audio through
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| made sure that its objectives were clear when integrating its Xbox 360 gaming system, featuring a fold-down display as part of the rearview mirror. (Photo: Nissan North America) |
"In keeping with the rapidly changing technology demands of our target buyers, URGE allows the driver to be in charge and to bring to the vehicle a high degree of personalization. The navigation system is located in front of the driver, not the passenger, the driver's cell phone acts as Intelligent Key to start the vehicle. We provide the audio speakers, the owner provides the audio drivers," said Bruce Campbell, vice president, design, Nissan Design America, Inc. (NDA), La Jolla, California, where the concept was conceived.
Youth-oriented drivers should appreciate the quintuplet of customizable info screens set up around the driver, which allow the driver to personalize where the HVAC, navigation and
 |
| Youth-oriented drivers should appreciate the quintuplet of customizable info screens set up around the driver. (Photo: Nissan North America) |
The URGE also features MP3 player and cellphone docks, while the OEM cellphone can replace the remote as an Intelligent Key to enter the car and start the engine. Like the Chrysler Pacifica, of all non-related vehicles, the navigation screen sits in front of the driver, not on the narrow floating billet-aluminum centre stack cum console, which only features a digital exterior temperature gauge and three pod-like ancillary dials, for checking engine temperature, engine pressure and deciphering telemetries, above the minimalist gearbox controller, which incidentally connects through to a paddle-shift actuated six-speed sequential shifter.