The Nissan FORUM, an exploratory design concept developed by Nissan Design America, Inc. (NDA), represents the next revolution in family transportation. Answering the challenge of making family passenger vehicles more appealing to both drivers and passengers, FORUM offers a wide array of innovative ideas \u2013 from its trackless sliding side doors and elimination of traditional B-pillars, to an interior featuring a multi-position swiveling 2 nd row seat and next-generation entertainment and family communications technology. FORUM makes its world auto show debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. Two Independent Zones In One Room<\/p>\n
As its name suggests, FORUM is conceived as a \u201cgathering place,\u201d bringing adults and children together in two independent but linked \u201czones.\u201d Targeting families with older children who not only can entertain themselves but also demand to, FORUM respects the needs and desires of both grownups and kids.<\/p>\n
In front is the parents\u2019 zone, with advanced information technology controls and seats designed to enhance driving pleasure. The rear zone is the dedicated kids\u2019 space, where they can feel comfortable and entertained. FORUM\u2019s advanced technology bridges the two zones, as desired, into one unique family \u201ctogetherness\u201d space.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom a conceptual standpoint, FORUM is closer to a family limousine than the minivans Gen Xers have grown up with. But unlike a real limo \u2013 or sometimes traditional minivans \u2013 the FORUM driver is just as important as the passengers,\u201d said Rachel Nguyen, director, Advanced Planning and Strategy, Nissan North America, Inc. \u201cIt offers a sophisticated space for adults and an engaging space for children \u2013 allowing both groups to enjoy themselves in their own individualistic ways while being connected in one vehicle. Like every Nissan, this dramatic FORUM Concept combines passionate driving, emotive design and an abundance of advanced, user-friendly technology.\u201d<\/p>\n The FORUM conceptual and design teams took care to consider the needs of both male and female drivers. \u201cTraditional minivans are often perceived as the \u2018Mom\u2019s car\u2019 \u2013 but FORUM is designed to be gender neutral. The reality is that both Moms and Dads want style, performance and driving pleasure in their vehicles, whether transporting kids or not.\u201d<\/p>\n Research shows that the primary driver of family vehicles often changes depending on the day of the week and family schedules. During the week, FORUM\u2019s primary driver might be a mom, picking up the kids at school, dropping them off at practices or lessons \u2013 so we\u2019ve incorporated advanced communications systems such as rear seat camera monitoring cameras and audio controls. \u201cSometimes being a mom is just about managing the chaos, but moms also deserve some personal space of their own. FORUM is designed to give moms a balance between needs and the kids\u2019,\u201d said Nguyen.<\/p>\n On the weekends, a dad might become the primary driver, taking over FORUM for errands, longer trips or recreational drives \u2013 so FORUM is designed with responsive power and handling, and more aggressive, performance-car styling than traditional family vehicles. FORUM also offers the exceptional flexibility required to haul large objects and other \u201cweekend gear.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe also know that with traditional minivans, both moms and dads sometimes feel like they are sitting in a kids\u2019 playroom \u2013 losing their identities in the vehicle,\u201d continued Nguyen. \u201cFORUM lets kids be kids and grown-ups be grown-ups, with the adults firmly in charge.\u201d<\/p>\n Ultimately, FORUM is conceived as a place to share \u2013 a destination in itself, as well as enjoyable transportation to other venues.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are many occasions during a week when, with a family\u2019s busy schedule, the vehicle is the only place where everyone is together \u2013 so we\u2019ve incorporated features and technology to enhance this precious \u2018quality time,\u2019\u201d said Nguyen. Pushing the Envelope of Exterior Design<\/p>\n Though respecting the basic layout of a \u201cone box\u201d design, FORUM Concept adds a higher level of dramatic styling through its wide stance, high beltline, wide-open visibility and an aggressive front end appearance.<\/p>\n FORUM\u2019s design innovations include wide-opening front doors and no B-pillars \u2013 creating exceptional access to the 2 nd and 3 rd row seats. FORUM\u2019s front doors open 90 degrees, which combined with the long sliding side doors, create wide openings for easy entry and exit of all three rows. \u201cWe were able to engineer the lack of B-pillars through use of extra thick reinforced roof and door frames \u2013 putting the material where it needs to go to help maintain structural integrity for this concept,\u201d said Bruce Campbell, vice president, Design, NDA. \u201cNot only does this greatly enhance the ease of getting in and out of the rear seats, it allows us to utilize the 2 nd row seat as a sort of \u2018bleacher\u2019 \u2013 adding a new dimension to watching sports, picnicking or other outdoor family activities.\u201d<\/p>\n Another exterior innovation is FORUM\u2019s trackless sliding side door design, which offers a clean, uninterrupted, non-traditional profile. A special patented hinge system makes the trackless door possible.<\/p>\n Integrated into the SkyView\u2122 moonroof panels are hidden sunshades, which allow the glass panels to be closed off during hot days. Other exterior features include LED lights front and rear, with a subtle LED light bar accenting the sweeping grille and hood design; soft-edged side outside mirrors; wide six-spoke alloy wheels and low-profile tires; a wide rear hatch; and dual exhaust outlets. A Suite Interior<\/p>\n Inside the sophisticated skin is where FORUM really comes alive. The aniline leather-appointed, pedestal-style driver\u2019s and front passenger seat and cockpit area \u2013 surrounded in rich aluminum and wood \u2013 offers \u201cfront cabin\u201d comfort and control.<\/p>\n FORUM\u2019s dramatic \u201cfloating\u201d instrument panel design blends next-generation communications technology with simple, intuitive controls. The instrument panel includes dual climate controls, Bluetooth\u00ae wireless technology and mood lighting under the upper and lower console areas. A built-in console-mounted microwave, sized to fit a standard bag of microwave popcorn, is accessible from the front and center seats.<\/p>\n FORUM also features special vertical wave pattern carpeting. The one-inch thick \u201cmodern shag\u201d style carpeting is 100 percent wool and, despite its elegant appearance, is easy to clean.<\/p>\n Designed in conjunction with the pillar-less side doors, Forum\u2019s revolutionary \u201cTurntable Seating\u201d 2 nd row bucket-formed seat rotates 90 degrees to either side to create \u201cgrandstand\u201d seating for watching sports or for picnicking and \u201cside-gating.\u201d<\/p>\n The seat also rotates a full 180 degrees to face the three-passenger rear seat, creating family-style seating for up to five passengers. The 2 nd row seat is operated by a small motor mounted in the vehicle floor. When it is time to rotate the seats, the center console lifts up and the two seat halves come together. At the same time, the two front seats move forward to aid in rotations clearance.<\/p>\n The 2 nd row seat also includes individual wireless monitors, located in the seat console, for watching DVDs or playing games, and integrated seat belts (also utilized in the front and 3 rd row seats). Togetherness Through Technology<\/p>\n FORUM\u2019s interior is also a showcase for the latest mobile communications technology, much of it developed in conjunction with the Bose\u00ae Corporation.<\/p>\n \u201cWith older, more self-sufficient children, the driver\u2019s role become more of a coordinator, rather than a protector, allowing the driver to enjoy her or his own time while facilitating togetherness,\u201d said Campbell. \u201cThe idea is to enable controlled craziness in the rear zone, rather than complete chaos \u2013 which we\u2019ve accomplished with a combination of communications and monitoring systems.\u201d<\/p>\n Close watch on rear cabin occupants is provided by a \u201cKids Cam\u201d monitoring system, which utilizes 2 nd and 3 rd row cameras mounted in the headliner and connected to the main instrument panel LCD display monitor. Selectable camera control switches are mounted above the rearview mirror.<\/p>\n A one-button audio muting \u201cTime Out\u201d system, with the controller located in the lower center portion of the steering wheel, allows the driver to simultaneously mute all audio playing in the FORUM and broadcast the driver\u2019s voice over all interior speakers \u2013 enabling quick and easy communication to both rows of rear seats.<\/p>\n \u201cThe \u2018Time Out\u2019 system gives the driver and passengers a sometimes much-needed time out, while the rear zone cameras enable observation \u2013 and interaction \u2013 when needed, while helping drivers keep their primary attention on the road,\u201d explained Campbell.<\/p>\n FORUM also offers an advanced Bose\u00ae Media System, which combines infotainment features and intelligent design, with single knob proximity sensor-based controller helping the driver, again, keep their focus where it should be \u2013 on the road. Waving a hand near the controller triggers infrared sensors to bring up the initial system interface.<\/p>\n The Bose\u00ae Media System\u2019s unique interface allows easy access to a wealth of features, including XM\u00ae Satellite Radio, hard disc drive music storage, DVD, iPod\u00ae interface, Bluetooth\u00ae Hands-free Phone System and an advanced navigation system.<\/p>\n FORUM also employs Nissan\u2019s advanced Around View Monitor (AVM) system, found in the new 2008 Infiniti EX35. The AVM system includes front, side and rear-mounted cameras and an advanced controller that combines the images together to give the driver a unique view of all four sides of the vehicle \u2013 helping to reduce driver blind spots when parking.<\/p>\n State-of-the-art audio is provided by the Bose\u00ae SeatCentric\u2122 system, which includes headrest and seatback speakers for consistent stereo image event as the seat swivels \u2013 along with independent audio programming for all three rows.<\/p>\n Working in conjunction with the wide opening sliding side doors is the Bose\u00ae FreeSpace\u00ae outdoor audio system, with speakers mounted on the trailing edges of the sliding doors and a wireless media player controller \u2013 providing full-range audio entertainment outside the FORUM.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 2008 Nissan Forum Concept Nissan FORUM Concept Utilizes Design and Technology Innovations to Create a Unique Family Activity Space The Nissan FORUM, an exploratory design concept developed by Nissan Design America, Inc. (NDA), represents the next revolution in family transportation. Answering the challenge of making family passenger vehicles more appealing to both drivers and passengers, FORUM offers a wide array of innovative ideas \u2013 from its trackless sliding side doors and elimination of traditional B-pillars, to an interior featuring a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23797,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2190,9348,17102,531],"tags":[18322,6825,33,13061,17405,728,6480,6901],"class_list":["post-23784","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2000s","category-guides","category-model-guides-concept-cars","category-nissan","tag-2000s-all","tag-2000s-cars","tag-concept","tag-car-profiles","tag-model-guides-concept-cars","tag-nissan","tag-nissan-model-in-depth","tag-nissan-concept-in-depth"],"yoast_head":"\n
\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n <\/div><\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n <\/div><\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n <\/div><\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n <\/div><\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n <\/div><\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n <\/div><\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n <\/div><\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n <\/div><\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n <\/div><\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n <\/div><\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n <\/div><\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n <\/div><\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n <\/div><\/figure>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n <\/div><\/figure>\nIn Detail<\/h3>\n
\n\n
\n driven wheels<\/td>\n FWD<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n wheel type<\/td>\n 20-inch 6-spoke aluminum-alloy<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n front tires<\/td>\n Nitto NT420 245\/45R20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n rear tires<\/td>\n Nitto NT420 245\/45R20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n f brake size<\/td>\n mm \/ in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n r brake size<\/td>\n mm \/ in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n wheelbase<\/td>\n 3076 mm \/ 121.1 in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n length<\/td>\n 4989 mm \/ 196.4 in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n width<\/td>\n 2116 mm \/ 83.3 in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n height<\/td>\n 1534 mm \/ 60.4 in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n transmission<\/td>\n Nissan Xtronic CVT<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n gear ratios<\/td>\n :1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n