Nissan’s new global design language is definitely fresh and unique — from the 2016 Maxima to this Chinese-market Lannia sedan, there is a real shared DNA visible in the panels.

Defined by a deep swoosh and flow of metal over the front fenders that swings down into the door surfacing, the Nissan style might catch a few eyes.

But there is something amiss. The concept to reality transition is wiping out nearly 90-percent of the original design appeal. It appears to be the limitations of production panel stamps that is watering down almost all the flavor of the original concept shapes. What were huge flips in the sheetmetal just become silly and ultra-shallow creases for the real-deal production cars. This is disappointing, to say the least.

That being said, the Lannia actually takes a very fresh look at sedan styling. The C-pillar and overall door look promises an enormous back seat with SUV-like headroom. Thanks to an ultra-tall roofline with a floating element in back, the Lannia has a distinctive look from behind.

This is the opposite of most sedans pretending to be coupes, yet it causes some issues with the tail end. The Lannia production car goes to great lengths to hide how tall its trunk is– with layers of contrast-black and reflectors hoping to make its rump look less funky.

Overall, there is a fresh appeal to this design’s back seat maximization, we just wish the production model had maintained more of the cool surfacing of the concept.

2014 Nissan Lannia Concept

The Lannia goes on sale this summer in China, with sales also likely in many other non-US and non-European markets.

2015 Nissan Lannia

NISSAN UNVEILS LANNIA AT AUTO SHANGHAI 2015
– All-new Mid-Size Sedan for the Young Chinese Generation –

HONG KONG, China (April 8, 2015) – Nissan will unveil the new Lannia mid-size sedan at the 16th Shanghai International Automobile Exhibition (Auto Shanghai 2015). The global debut represents a milestone for Nissan’s business in China. Lannia is the company’s first product specially created for the youth generation in China.

Lannia is the evolution of the Friend-ME and Lannia concepts that debuted in China in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Inspired by the rising young Chinese generation, who are seen as energetic trendsetters with new values and aspirations, Nissan attempted first project led by Chinese for Chinese. It delivered on a more real-world sedan execution for China’s youth.

Challenging the status quo of sedan design, the production version of Lannia has a muscular and dynamic exterior design. An alluring character line flows from the front through the door section to the rear, conveying energy to be unleashed. Lannia’s iconic V-motion grille and boomerang-shaped head lamp signature are hallmarks of the latest Nissan design language.

See Nissan’s Lannia video on YouTube:http://youtu.be/fl3TjqC1SsU

Stay tuned for more press information at the Nissan China Media Center
(http://www.nissan.com.cn/media_center/autoshows/2015/shanghai/en).
Special event website for Chinese consumers:
http://www.nissan.com.cn/minisite/autoshow_2015sh/

Auto Shanghai 2015 runs April 20 to 29 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, China. The Nissan booth is located at Hall 7.2, and press conference will be held on April 20.

About Nissan Motor Co.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan’s second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 244,500 employees globally, Nissan sold almost 5.2 million vehicles and generated revenue of 10.5 trillion yen (USD 105 billion) in fiscal 2013. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history with almost 50 percent share of the zero-emission vehicle segment.

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