The Forum Concept, previewed by Nissan at the beginning of November with a teaser sketch, is characterized by a family-oriented interior with multi-position swiveling second row seats and an advanced entertainment communication system.

The exterior design features trackless sliding side doors and no B-pillars.

The design language for both the exterior and the cabin blends together styling cues typical of American and Japanese cars. In particular, the comfortable and generously dimensioned seats, combined with the brown leather and the wood finish of the dashboard and door panels, reveal the American origin of the concept, while the organic shapes and 'hi-tech' looking details give a unmistakably Oriental look.

The Nissan Forum will debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. Below we report Nissan's official Press Release.

From the official Press Release:

Concept

As its name suggests, Forum is conceived as a “gathering place,” bringing adults and children together in two independent but linked “zones.” 

Targeting families with older children, Forum respects the needs and desires of both grownups and kids.

In front is the parents’ zone, with advanced information technology controls and seats designed to enhance driving pleasure.  The rear zone is the dedicated kids’ space, where they can feel comfortable and entertained.

Forum’s advanced technology bridges the two zones, as desired, into one unique family “togetherness” space.

“From a conceptual standpoint, Forum is closer to a family limousine than the minivans Gen Xers have grown up with. 

"But unlike a real limo – or sometimes traditional minivans – the Forum driver is just as important as the passengers,” said Rachel Nguyen, director, Advanced Planning and Strategy, Nissan North America, Inc. 

“It offers a sophisticated space for adults and an engaging space for children – 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.” 

The Forum conceptual and design teams took care to consider the needs of both male and female drivers.  “Traditional minivans are often perceived as the ‘Mom’s car’ – 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.”

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’s primary driver might be a mom, picking up the kids at school, dropping them off at practices or lessons – so we’ve incorporated advanced communications systems such as rear seat camera monitoring cameras and audio controls. 

“Sometimes 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’,” said Nguyen.

On the weekends, a dad might become the primary driver, taking over Forum for errands, longer trips or recreational drives – 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 “weekend gear.” 

“We also know that with traditional minivans, both moms and dads sometimes feel like they are sitting in a kids’ playroom – losing their identities in the vehicle,” continued Nguyen.  “Forum lets kids be kids and grown-ups be grown-ups, with the adults firmly in charge.”

Ultimately, Forum is conceived as a place to share – a destination in itself, as well as enjoyable transportation to other venues.

“There are many occasions during a week when, with a family’s busy schedule, the vehicle is the only place where everyone is together – so we’ve incorporated features and technology to enhance this precious ‘quality time,’” said Nguyen. 

Exterior Design

Though respecting the basic layout of a “one box” 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. 

Forum’s design innovations include wide-opening front doors and no B-pillars – creating exceptional access to the 2nd and 3rd row seats.  Forum’s 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. 

“We were able to engineer the lack of B-pillars through use of extra thick reinforced roof and door frames – putting the material where it needs to go to help maintain structural integrity for this concept,” said Bruce Campbell, vice president, Design, NDA. 

“Not only does this greatly enhance the ease of getting in and out of the rear seats, it allows us to utilize the 2nd row seat as a sort of ‘bleacher’ – adding a new dimension to watching sports, picnicking or other outdoor family activities.”

Another exterior innovation is Forum’s trackless sliding side door design, which offers a clean, uninterrupted, non-traditional profile.  A special patented hinge system makes the trackless door possible.

Integrated into the SkyView 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.

Interior Design

Inside the sophisticated skin is where Forum really comes alive.  The aniline leather-appointed, pedestal-style driver’s and front passenger seat and cockpit area – surrounded in rich aluminum and wood – offers “front cabin” comfort and control. 

Forum’s dramatic “floating” instrument panel design blends next-generation communications technology with simple, intuitive controls. 

The instrument panel includes dual climate controls, Bluetooth 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.

Forum also features special vertical wave pattern carpeting.  The one-inch thick “modern shag” style carpeting is 100 percent wool and, despite its elegant appearance, is easy to clean.

Designed in conjunction with the pillar-less side doors, Forum’s revolutionary “Turntable Seating” 2nd row bucket-formed seat rotates 90 degrees to either side to create “grandstand” seating for watching sports or for picnicking and “side-gating.”

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 2nd 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. 

The 2nd 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 3rd row seats).

The mobile communications technology was developed in conjunction with the Bose Corporation.

“With older, more self-sufficient children, the driver’s role become more of a coordinator, rather than a protector, allowing the driver to enjoy her or his own time while facilitating togetherness,” said Campbell.

  “The idea is to enable controlled craziness in the rear zone, rather than complete chaos – which we’ve accomplished with a combination of communications and monitoring systems.”

Close watch on rear cabin occupants is provided by a “Kids Cam” monitoring system, which utilizes 2nd and 3rd 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.

A one-button audio muting “Time Out” 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’s voice over all interior speakers – enabling quick and easy communication to both rows of rear seats.

“The ‘Time Out’ system gives the driver and passengers a sometimes much-needed time out, while the rear zone cameras enable observation – and interaction – when needed, while helping drivers keep their primary attention on the road,” explained Campbell.

Forum also employs Nissan’s advanced Around View Monitor (AVM) system, which 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 – helping to reduce driver blind spots when parking.

Nissan Forum Concept - Technical Specifications

(Source: Nissan)