Nissan releases photos of three-seat Detroit Show Concept

Riding a wave of strong vehicle introductions, Nissan unveils at Detroit a semi-frivolous three-seater dubbed Urge. This bare-bones car has a “motorcycle-inspired” design and scissors-style doors with cutaway panels. It remains to be seen whether an urge will strike sufficiently to justify its creation. A see-through glass hood reveals a small-displacement engine tied to a six-speed sequential gearbox. The front-engine, rear-drive car carries 19-inch wheels up front with 20-inchers out back, all stopped by Brembo brakes.

The interior boasts mesh-and-leather bucket seats, a billet-aluminum center console, and docking stations for an MP3 player and cell phone; the phone acts as an Intelligent Key to start the car. Targeted at those who can’t afford a car on their own, Urge has an integrated Xbox 360 gaming system to further distract its owner.

Urge, by the numbers:
Engine: Quick, high-revving, small-displacement engine

Transmission: Six-speed sequential manual gearbox

Drive configuration: Front-engine/rear-wheel drive

Wheels/tires/brakes: 19-inch front, 20-inch rear nine-spoke spun-aluminum-alloy/ 195/45R front, 225/35R rear Michelins/350Z-style Brembo four-wheel discs

Wheelbase: 104.3 inches
Length: 156.6 inches
Width: 71.8 inches
Height: 49.6 inches
Target weight: 2400 pounds
Seating capacity: Three passengers

Select exterior features: Motorcycle-inspired styling, see-through glass hood, cutaway door panels, aluminum center structure, aluminum and carbon fiber construction, four-bar-hinge scissors-style doors, spun- aluminum roof cage structure, collapsible quick-close, manual (storable) canvas top, “Mirror Crystal” exterior color

Select interior features: Driver-oriented interior with compact, responsive F1-style steering wheel, racing-style lightweight mesh-and-leather bucket seats, billet- aluminum center console, cellphone and MP3 player docking stations (cellphone acts as Intelligent Key to start vehicle), customizable driver info screens (including HVAC, navigation, audio and suspension/performance tuning), integrated gaming system powered by Xbox 360
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