First look: Nissan Foria exercises distinctive design flare

ALL eyes were not just focused on the hot new Nissan GT-R Proto at the Tokyo show.

Nissan also took the opportunity to test the water with a design concept, called the Foria, which is a compact 2+2 coupe with a front midship-mounted engine, reardrive layout with short overhangs and a long bonnet.

The Japanese carmaker mated the Foria to a paddle-shift automatic and gave itfour-wheel active steering for both low and high-speed precision.

The concept features RX-8-style rear "suicide-doors" that open wide to allow easy back seat access.

Visual highlights include chromed vents behind the front wheels, slim-line tail-lights and chunky 18-inch wheels with polished alloys.

The integrated grille and jewelled headlights form a powerful frontal impression while aluminium mouldings add a touch of class.

The interior styling reinforces the car’s dynamic performance, accenting elegance with hand-crafted trim and sports instruments.

The switchgear on the console and the instruments is designed to appeal to those who love the mechanical look, and to capture the spirit of traditional silver halide cameras.

Nissan says the multifunction command system has large easy-to-read controls designed to reduce the driver’s workload.

The interior is finished in a lustrous grey fabric matched with brown leather on the instrument panel and other parts of the cabin.

Although Nissan Japan says there are no plans to bring the car to production, it hints at a possible design direction for a premium Infiniti coupe in the United States or possible replacement for the Nissan Silvia, which was called the 200SX in Australia.