Nissan Vmotion concept shows firm's self-driving future

Nissan has shown the next step in its self-driving car plans with a new concept car at the Detroit Motor Show. The Nissan Vmotion 2.0 showcases the firm's new ProPILOT technology.

The Vmotion 2.0 highlights the "Nissan Intelligent Mobility" plan to achieve zero emissions and zero fatalities. The first iteration of ProPILOT is already on the market in Japan in the Serena MPV. That system controls the steering, accelerator and brakes and has been designed to work in single-lane traffic.

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The next-generation system shown in the Nissan Vmotion 2.0 will allow autonomous driving on urban roads and motorways, although there's no word yet on when it'll be offered to buyers. When it does, it's likely to launch in Japan first, before heading to Europe and North America.

Nissan's Detroit concept also points to the next generation of Nissan saloon cars, none of which is likely to go on sale in Europe. What's more relevant to UK buyers is the latest version of Nissan's V-motion grille, which is expected to roll out on future models. When the Vmotion 2.0's ProPILOT is active, the car's Nissan badge glows.

The concept has a 'wraparound' rear windscreen and the rear windscreen pillar gives the illusion of a floating roof. The Vmotion 2.0’s rear doors open rearwards and do without a door pillar for improved access inside.

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The dashboard features a single screen that provides the driver information and displays for the front passenger and there's also a smaller screen in the centre console for rear-seat passengers. The steering wheel has been designed to give an unhindered view of the screen, although it's highly unlikely to appear on a production car.

The seats are trimmed in leather and use 'threadless quilting' to give "the look of an exquisite handbag". Bose UltraNearfield speakers are fitted and use new sound management technology to control the direction and distance of sounds to "generate a 360-degree sound field around a driver".