Nissan TeRRA Electric SUV Concept Detailed- Video

Sami Haj-Assaad
by Sami Haj-Assaad

More details and images of Nissan‘s environmentally friendly hydrogen-powered SUV concept have surfaced before the vehicle’s official debut at the Paris Motor Show. Nissan calls the TeRRA a sustainable off-roader with “Modern Toughness” appeal.

The TeRRA SUV serves as a design concept, and shows off a new look for Nissan going forward.

“Our challenge was to take Nissan’s strength in SUVs and crossovers forward into the zero-emissions era, fuel cells being our new frontier in zero emission mobility” said Francois Bancon, Nissan’s general manager of product strategy and planning. “Not big and tough for the desert, the aim was a new approach to SUVs that’s relevant to urban life. The unique diagonal seating layout that offers an exciting driving experience thanks to exceptional visibility that creates a sense of being in control under any conditions.”

Nissan said that while the TeRRA is showcasing a new design for Nissan utility vehicles, it also shows off some new technology, like a dockable tablet which serves as the vehicles information cluster and intelligent key. When docked in the vehicle, the tablet will display speed and other driving information. The driver can change the display to provide other information like entertainment, communication and navigation. When not docked in the car, the tablet acts like a regular tablet, but is linked in with the vehicle.

The vehicle also features three electric motors. For the front wheels, the powertrain is borrowed from the Leaf, but powering the rear wheels are two in-wheel motors. This allows for a flat floor in the vehicle, and an underside bodypan. Nissan’s hydrogen fuel cell stack sits under the hood of the vehicle.

Interior-wise, the TeRRA features a unique seating layout, where the rear passengers are seated diagonally from the driver and front passenger. “For the driver to be nearly centered, not seated off to one side, provides a fresh, enlightened perspective with exceptional visibility,” says Shiro Nakamura, Nissan senior vice president. “The diagonal layout allows all passengers to share the vision of adventures up ahead.”

The whole vehicle is meant to be a modern, and stylish take on the urban SUV. Nissan even provided a short video detailing the TeRRA’s design concept.

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Gallery: Nissan TeRRA Concept

Sami Haj-Assaad
Sami Haj-Assaad

Sami has an unquenchable thirst for car knowledge and has been at AutoGuide for the past six years. He has a degree in journalism and media studies from the University of Guelph-Humber in Toronto and has won multiple journalism awards from the Automotive Journalist Association of Canada. Sami is also on the jury for the World Car Awards.

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  • Nonymous Nonymous on Sep 14, 2012

    Oh lord, just when you think Nissan had hit an all-time design low with the Puke, they release pictures of this hideous thing. My eyes hurt.

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