Dongfeng-Nissan, the joint venture between Nissan and China’s Dongfeng Motor, has introduced the N7 electric sedan at the Guangzhou Motor Show. This marks a significant milestone as the N7 is the first electric vehicle built on Dongfeng-Nissan’s self-developed platform. With plans for mass production, the N7 is targeted at the Chinese market, and Nissan aims to use it to strengthen its position in a market where it has faced challenges.
Dongfeng-Nissan has expressed that the N7 will “redefine a new standard for pure electric vehicles in China,” positioning it as a key model to improve Nissan’s sales in a competitive market. Let’s take a closer look at the details of the N7.
Striking Exterior Design with Futuristic Touches
The N7’s body size is 4,930 mm long, 1,895 mm in width, 1,487 mm in height, and 2,915 mm in wheelbase. Considering that it is an electric vehicle, its wheelbase is relatively short compared to its overall length. For the front, Nissan’s V-motion design was applied, adopting V-shaped daytime running lights on the awl-shaped headlamps. Below the bonnet parting line, horizontal lamps and the Nissan logo are lit, creating a futuristic image.
The front fascia is composed of a body panel without a grille. Aggressive proportions are set along the lamp’s line, and the bumper is applied with black high-gloss to present a sophisticated feel. The frameless door and auto flush-type door handle create a smooth door connection for the side. A long horizontal character line continues above the door handle to emphasize this.
AI-powered seat adjustment for optimal driver comfort
The roof line connected to the thin A-pillar has a fastback shape that falls sharply to the trunk lid line. For the rear, horizontal tail lamps are placed. It is characterized by the same V-shaped graphic applied as the front. The bumper also applies black high-gloss to create a sense of unity in the design. Thanks to the N7’s sharp design, the drag coefficient is reduced to 0.208 Cd.
While the interior has not yet been fully revealed, Dongfeng-Nissan has highlighted an industry-first function designed to improve driver comfort. The N7 features adaptive AI-powered seat adjustments. Using 49 sensors, the system analyzes body pressure in real-time to adjust the seat’s backrest, lumbar support, and leg support, ensuring optimal posture for the driver. With continuous learning through AI and over-the-air (OTA) updates, this feature promises to enhance the driving experience by providing personalized comfort.
Advanced Semi-Autonomous Driving and Driver Assistance
The N7 has an advanced semi-autonomous driving system developed in collaboration with Momenta, a Chinese autonomous driving company. This system supports driving in everyday environments like urban areas and highways and includes automatic parking functions. With these capabilities, the N7 aims to offer cutting-edge convenience and safety features, positioning it as a competitor in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle market.
Although Nissan has yet to impact China significantly, the N7’s high-tech exterior design and advanced features could help it gain traction. However, the vehicle must be competitively priced to stand out against Chinese electric cars, which are already well-established and often more affordable. With the right pricing strategy and continued innovation, the N7 could be crucial in Nissan’s push to capture more market share in China’s electric vehicle segment.
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