The Nissan Max-Out
Watching a concept car unveiled and tracking its progress to a road-ready production model is like watching a ballerina dancing through a minefield. It can end with a puff of smoke at any time, and even if it does not, the end result will be different from what it was in the beginning. Neither the concept nor the ballerina will look as fresh and crisp in the end.
A pure concept car is a flight of fancy, a blank canvas that the designer can doodle on, and be as outrageous as possible. It is creativity without responsibility. But every now and then a concept will retain its soul on the showroom floor. The Nissan Max-Out may just be one of these.
Back in 2021, Nissan shared renderings of four EV concepts: Chill-Out like a new version of the Leaf, Surf-Out which was quite a wild-looking bakkie, an SUV called Hang-Out and a two-seater convertible called the Max-Out.
These renders tied in with Nissan’s plan to invest $17.6 billion to develop new EVs and battery technology.
The Nissan Max-Out
Nissan Futures
The Max-Out is still in the minefield, but at least it is a full-sized model and not stuck on a page like the others. Plus, even though it looks rather outlandish, it feels like a car that you could take on the road. It is currently shown at the Nissan Futures event, a showcase of where Nissan believes motoring will go.
Judging by the Max-Out, the future of motoring will be dynamic and striking. The Max will sit on the next generation ‘skateboard’ chassis with dual motors front and back, and powered by next-generation solid-state batteries, so a bit to go.
Nissan says the Max will have an advanced version of the e-4ORCE AWD and ProPILOT self-driving technology. While both these technologies currently exist, the MAX will probably speed up further development.
The Max-Out is supposed to be ultra-lightweight with a ‘liberating sense of openness’ and ‘enhanced driving experience’. Looking at the concept, the Max will turn heads as well.
The Max has an amazing profile and with its very modern interior looks like Back to the Future meets Tron.
Nissan GT-R fans will be keeping an eye on the development of the Max. There are rumours that a new GT-R or even a successor is on the way and that it will be electrified in some way.
The Nissan Max-Out
Nissan Ambition
This ties in with Nissan’s Ambition 2030 plan, which aims to electrify half of its range and launch 15 new EVs by the end of the decade.
It will develop 23 EVS through 2030, 20 of which by 2026. These EVs will be hybrid, plug-hybrid of battery electric, with Europe getting 75% EVs, Japan 55%, and the US and China 40%.
