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While Nissan sales departments were busily shipping out N12’s, they were looking to the future and wanted a radical new design for the upcoming NX/EXA series. Chief designer Thomas Semple, the then president of Nissan Design America, took charge of this new and ambitious project. Semple was renown for the Pulsar EXA/NX, the NX Coupe, and even the current 350Z.
What started as rough sketches quickly evolved into a drivable vehicle for the 21st century. The NX-21 was to sport a more aerodynamic design complete with the now trademark slotted exa rear lights, gullwing doors, a modern interior with all the fancy electronics the ’80s had to offer (including no rear vision mirror but a projector screen instead, a voice warning system, a smarter engine management system called ECCS), coupled with a powerful new ceramic gas turbine engine driving the RR (Rear engine/Rear drive) layout. The power output was rated at 100 hp. The fuel efficiency was better than most modern diesels at the time and could take various forms of fuel (including kerosine, light oil, and alcohol). This car would be presented at both the 1983 Tokyo Motor Show and the 1984 Paris Motor Show.
Engine & performance:
Type: gas turbine engine
Power: 100 hp
Dimensions:
Length: 4520 mm
Width: 1790 mm
Height: 1280 mm
Wheelbase: 2985 mm
Weight: 950 kg
Source: www.nissanexa.com
Images: Nissan; Concept Car Central
