By: IOL Motoring Staff
Beijing Motor Show - In 2013 Nissan accorded the Chinese vehicle market the ultimate status symbol; it opened a design studio there. This is in fact the second concept to come out of that studio, Nissan Design China, after last year's gorgeously slinky Friend-Me hybrid.
The Lannia concept, presently enjoying star status on the Nissan stand at Auto China 2014 in Beijing, is perhaps a little more real-world, although Nissan insists there are no plans for a production version.
It's an exceptionally neat and tidy, high-waisted compact sedan, echoing Nissan's next-generation design language in is v-shape bonnet, boomerang headlights and 'floating' roofline, but with a distinctive, half-blacked out C pillar that is possibly the signature feature of the design.
A PASSION FOR DESIGN
It's aimed at the thirty-something 'Balinghou' generation (the word literally means 'born after 1980'), China's first to have grown up without food rationing, and embodies their passion for clean, post-industrial design.
From that point of view, it's rather sad that Nissan hasn't given us any images of the interior, nor any powertrain details; it probably doesn't have one.
According to Nissan Design China head Taiji Toyota, the Lannia concept exudes 'daqi' - a Chinese word that is hard to define but indicates the ability to inspire people to want a better lifestyle.
The 'gwai loh' (round eyes) have a word for it: aspirational.