Nissan EVs go bold with diagonal front lighting at Beijing auto show

TOKYO – Nissan is hoping a new look for its electrified vehicles will be epic for a new epoch.

The automaker floated a new diagonal lighting motif for the face of its future EVs and plug-in hybrids at the Beijing auto show. The design flourish appeared in a clutch of new concepts.

Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida unveiled the vehicles during the massive Chinese show’s first media day on Thursday, saying “these models are very close to reality.”

On deck were two EV concepts, the Epic crossover and the Epoch sedan. Nissan also showed two plug-in hybrids, the Era plug-in crossover and the Evo plug-in sedan.

All four concepts sport some version of a diagonal, inward-pointing linear lighting design in the front fascia. The crossover concepts get bolder iterations reminiscent of safety hazard striping.

The vehicles would qualify as new energy vehicles for the China market and hint at five electrified offerings Nissan plans to launch there by the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027.

A production version of the Epoch is expected within this year, Uchida said.

Nissan did not elaborate on the new EV styling or say whether it will migrate to future EVs for other markets. Automakers often give their China-market offerings unique designs for local tastes.

The latest Beijing concepts share some body styling and design proportions with the “Hyper” series of concept EVs that Nissan showcased at last year’s Japan Mobility Show.

But the Hyper entries didn’t have the dramatic handling of the front fascia.

Nissan, like many international players in China, has seen its sales plunge in the world’s largest auto market, partly due to a lack of competitive electrified vehicles.

Japan’s No. 3 automaker is banking on fresh product to rekindle its flagging fortunes there.

Uchida unveiled a new three-year midterm plan in March that aims to get his carmaker back on track. Under the roadmap, Nissan plans to introduce 30 new models over the next three years, including 16 electrified vehicles. Through March 2027, Nissan wants to introduce eight new EVs.

From 2027, a family of next-generation EVs debuts, bringing fresh technologies, savings and efficiencies. By 2030, Nissan thinks its new EVs can reach cost parity with gasoline-powered cars.