Currently reading: Nissan Sport Sedan teases next Maxima

Nissan's new design direction for future saloon and crossover models will be inspired by the Sport Sedan concept

The Nissan Sport Sedan Concept, shown today at the Detroit motor show, is claimed to display a number of design signatures that will appear on future models. Speculation suggests the car offers an exaggerated view of how the next-generation Nissan Maxima will appear.

The Sport Sedan features a bold interpretation of Nissan’s signature V on the grille and boomerang-shaped rear lights. The ‘floating’ roof design will feature on future saloons and crossovers.

Nissan says the Sport Sedan Concept features an interior constructed from “premium materials”, which “offers cues to future production designs”.

The show car was revealed by design boss Shiro Nakamura and VP Andy Palmer. Nakamura said: "Our new design direction mirrors the strength, power and capabilities of the engineering and innovation that serves as the foundation of every Nissan vehicle."

Palmer said: "The Sport Sedan Concept shows a new, highly emotional and energetic design direction that takes Nissan's legendary approach of applying sports car principles to a sedan to the next level. The Sport Sedan Concept captures that essence with authentic sports car design and proportions."

The current generation Nissan Maxima is built in Tennessee and was launched in 2008. It shares much of its architecture with the current Nissan Murano and is due for replacement around 2015.

However, although the Maxima isn't sold in the UK, the concept is still relevant as it is likely to influence other future Nissan designs, including the company's potential upcoming Volkswagen Golf rival.

In addition, Nissan has shown two radical sports car concepts that were first unveiled at the Tokyo motor show, the Nissan IDx Freeflow and Nissan IDx Nismo.

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