Innovative Nissan Actic Concept
Published: 8th January 2004
Nissan Actic Concept
A Digital Canvas For Changing Lives
The Actic interior design is based on the idea that its ultimate use and character will come from the needs and personality of its owner. "Actic does not fully come to life until the intelligent key fob is activated," said Semple. "The fob is really a small, highly portable transmitting hard drive onto which the owner has loaded a host of data, preferences, settings and configurations."
Visual information is displayed throughout the interior, whether on the driver-oriented instrumentation panels or on the more ambient overhead flat panel displays. All settings reside within the 100-gigabyte fob – not just standard audio and HVAC preferences but also e-mail and navi settings, and the content that governs and affects mood and ambience.
The sky theatre glass panelled roof design includes the overhead display screens that allow endless opportunities for Actic users to play with the relationship between exterior and interior environments with custom video displays.
"Actic lets users introduce elements of personalisation that were previously generic – for example changing night to day or a stormy outside setting to a sun-lit sky filtering through leaves," said Semple. "Nissan continues to look at the roof of vehicles as an area for innovation and creativity, like the current Maxima and Quest Skyview glass panel roof."
Seating flexibility is also critical to the Actic target users’ lifestyles. The seating system and design theme take an organic, highly functional approach. Three-across modular, stretch fabric-covered seating surrounds the driver with maximum flexibility. The folding seats can be arranged into multiple configurations, with all seats except the driver's able to be staggered to accommodate passengers and cargo of varying sizes. The interior 'floats' away from the body side and headliner panels, revealing a visible gap, while the armrests float away from the aluminium door panels. LED track lighting is utilised throughout the interior.
Since Actic is a Nissan, it features a driver-oriented cockpit with analogue gauges and paddle shifters. With the middle seats folded down, the seatbacks meet to form a centre tunnel complete with a 'super centre' console.
The bright orange interior provides a striking contrast against the Liquid Silver exterior.
Actic is a response to a new customer mindset, a new way of living in the modern world dense with content. Its highly flexible, modular interior is designed to change and for change.
"We have entered an age of very personal transportation. Actic's users, by bringing their own content to the vehicle, make it their own," said Semple.
