Nissan Vmotion concept may point to next Altima

DETROIT -- Nissan debuted the Vmotion concept car on Monday in Detroit showing how the rakish styling of the Maxima flagship sedan and Murano SUV could translate to its bread-and-butter Altima family car.

The name Vmotion refers to the shape of the car’s grille. Other design cues include a deep and sharp crease in the front doors, high deck and narrow head- and taillights.

Lighting around the Nissan badge on the grille glows to indicate when the car is in ProPilot mode, Nissan’s autonomous system.

Rear-hinged back doors open to create a wide entry with no center pillar.

The Vmotion 2.0 measures 191.3 inches long, 74.4 inches wide and 54.3 inches tall. That’s slightly less long, wider and less tall than the current Altima.

Design is "an expression of the vision of our brand," said Shiro Nakamura, Nissan's senior vice president and chief creative officer. "At Nissan, design has been at the forefront."