Nissan revealed the Concept 20-23 show car

Nissan marked the 20th anniversary of Nissan Design Europe (NDE) in London with a special visit from Makoto Uchida, Nissan’s President and CEO, who unveiled a new urban electric concept car called Nissan Concept 20-23.

Nissan Concept 20-23 was the brainchild of a team that included young members of NDE, given the creative freedom to design a car they’d love to drive on the city streets where they work.

The name “Concept 20-23” signifies NDE’s 20-year presence in London, incorporating the traditional numbers “2” (ni) and “3” (san), along with the current year. This naming approach continues Nissan’s tradition of infusing playful elements into the world of hatchbacks and city cars, reminiscent of their iconic Pike cars like the Be-1, Pao, Figaro, and S-Cargo. Concept 20-23 adds a 21st-century twist to this legacy.

The front of the car showcases a clean, unexpected surface with distinctive LED headlights characterized by thin upper and lower semi-circles and a sharp LED beam for enhanced visibility. The turn signals are integrated into the same semi-circular LED unit, contributing to the car’s friendly appearance amidst its intricate aerodynamic design.

The Concept 20-23’s muscular profile stems from extended wheel arches that house large wheels wrapped in low-profile tires. Vented louvres on the upper part of the wheel arches reduce air resistance within the wheel bay. The wheel arches culminate sharply at the lower door level, framed by angular intersections that frame the air outlet behind the front wheel. Similar angular slits on the rear wheel arches serve to cool the rear brakes, while extended skirts hug the car’s lower body.

At the rear, a single-piece spoiler elegantly emerges from the roof rail, featuring endplates that transition from near vertical to angled horizontal elements, generating downforce without compromising rear visibility. Each rear light consists of thin upper and lower semi-circle LEDs, contrasting the squared-off forms in the lower section, designed for efficient airflow management and maximum downforce creation as air escapes from under the car. A horizontal bar accentuates the car’s full width and defines the rear hatchback’s outline.

A slim air intake integrated into the car’s roof near the windshield header provides ventilation to occupants as they enjoy the Concept 20-23’s performance. The exterior’s textured grey paint finish lends an impression of being crafted from a single piece of metal, reflecting the urban environment it was designed for. The company number “23” prominently graces the car’s rear.

While the Concept 20-23 primarily focuses on exterior design, the interior designers have crafted an interior that mirrors the sporty nature of the exterior. Entry is through two scissor doors hinging upwards from the base of the A-pillar. A foam-padded brace bar runs across the door openings, protecting elbows and requiring occupants to step over it to access the deep bucket seats, offering both support and comfort. These seats feature a near-white finish and a large head-support reminiscent of racing cars.

Once inside, the driver encounters a long extended steering column culminating in a rectangular sports steering wheel equipped with multiple controls and adjustments, including paddles to fine-tune electric powertrain performance. The steering column is supported by a carbon-fiber mount bolted into position from the base of the large, open central console.

Between the two occupants, two metal beams hold the center console in place, secured to the car’s “spine” emerging from the floor. Beneath the two brace bars, a fire extinguisher is mounted. The interior embodies a futuristic interpretation of a racing car’s essential functionality, featuring only a couple of screens displaying vital information with minimal distractions, inspired by the setups seen in real racing cars and online racing simulators.