Nissan Sway Concept


Unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the Sway is a glimpse at how a future generation of compact Nissan models might look if the company's striking new design language was applied to a European hatchback. It is a concept car designed especially to appeal to European tastes: it is seen as emotional, edgy and exciting.

Sway has been designed to shake up the compact hatchback segment, traditionally a conservative sector of the market. With its swooping lines, striking nose, elegantly simple interior and bold use of sophisticated colours, the concept is a daring and emotional design.


The Sway's character line begins with the V-motion grille, mounted low at the front between twin V-shaped quarter bumpers. The grille is the starting point for a bold contour that curves over the bonnet and front wheels before dipping dramatically towards the centre of the front door. It then sweeps upwards towards the rear of the car, giving the side profile an almost sensuous form.

Complex rear doors house not only the extended sill and waistline crease, but also the shapely flared fenders needed to cover the rear wheels. An upward flick towards the rear of the glass-line reduces the C-pillar between the door and the floating roof to a minimum. To ease ingress and egress, this concept car has no central B-pillar and rear-hinged back doors.

Another feature of Nissan's new design language is the floating roof, which is expressed this time by a panoramic glass roof, framed by an extended C-shaped construction running from the A-pillars along the side of the roof to the rear cross link above the tailgate. On the concept car this structure is highlighted by the use of a bold orange colour that contrasts with the blue-grey of the body.


The interior uses a darker, deeper blue, with high contrasting ivory and orange colours matching the exterior to give a sense of unity to the car.


The driving force behind the gliding wing shape is its elegant simplicity. The result is an interior in which function takes a priority, and where nothing has been used for mere decorative effect.