And you thought that Japanese carmakers were done with copycat styling… Even if your eyesight is comparable to that of a mole –no offence, you can’t miss the apparent similarities with the Mercedes-Benz CLS. Of course, Nissan’s “innovative” design team came up with a set of suicide doors to set the two cars apart, but they can’t fool us (…). While we doubt that a car like the Intima Concept will ever be offered in either side of the Atlantic, word has it that Nissan is planning to introduce a toned-downed production version of the Intima for the Japanese market sometime between late 2008 and 2009. -High res image gallery & press release after the jump

Press Release: Nissan Intima Concept (Scroll down for the Image gallery)

New-Generation Saloon Embodies Nissan's Modern Living Concept, Providing Comfort, Relaxation, Fine Quality and Visual Enjoyment

Nissan's "Modern Living Concept" for car interiors combines attractive design, hospitality, relaxation and high quality with high levels of functionality and advanced technology. To date, the Modern Living Concept has been successfully featured in Nissan production cars such as the Teana, Tiida and Sylphy. Now, the Intima saloon takes the Modern Living Concept into a new dimension with an interior that invites passengers into a stimulating world of artistic forms, materials and illumination.

Intima is equipped with a number of safety systems based on Nissan's Safety Shield concept, including Around View Monitor and Distance Control Assist System (DCAS). It also features a quiet, efficient, environmentally friendly V6 clean diesel engine.

Thoughtful Hospitality and Visual Sophistication

Intima is targeted towards consumers with a sophisticated, discerning eye for beauty - who enjoy spending time in refined elegance and comfort, whether traveling alone or with a partner.

"We designed Intima as a car that expresses the interior attractiveness Nissan proposes in the Modern Living Concept," explains Product Chief Designer Kinichi Saito of the Product Design Department. "The inspiration came from imagining a situation where a person who has accumulated many life experiences and successes now wants to spend his or her own time, or time together as a couple, in an elegant environment."

For example, the instrument panel padding appears to "float" in between the wood grain panels, the center console incorporates a "wave pattern" and large door armrests and assist grips combine to give passengers a feeling of comfort and peace of mind.

Illumination is another significant element in orchestrating a sense of soothing relaxation in the Intima interior. Cabin illumination is provided by the indirect lighting incorporated in the instrument panel, center console, door trim and ceiling, and the door assist grips feature a blue-green acrylic material that gives off a soft light. The elegant mood is furthered by a lighted, convenient storage space for keeping a handbag or other small items, located on the inside of the front passenger's door.

Intima also features a four-zone, intelligent air conditioning system that provides a comfortable atmosphere for all passengers by independently controlling the individual temperature of each seating position through the use of infrared sensors. This advanced air conditioning system also keeps the interior of the vehicle clean by adopting a natural grape seed polyphenol filter that neutralizes pollen and other allergens. In addition, a cool storage compartment is located in the rear center console to keep beverages or snacks at an enjoyable temperature.

An Artful Expression of Relaxation

Traditionally, the expression of relaxation in a vehicle's design focuses purely on function, such as in terms of seat comfort. Intima goes a step beyond that tradition to incorporate art extensively into the interior, thus taking the sensation of relaxation to an even higher plane.

Intima's front passenger's seat swivels approximately 80° to the outside as if to welcome and escort a passenger into the car and ample legroom is provided in both the front and rear seats for passenger comfort. Intima's large glass roof, which appears to flow continuously from the car's windshield, enables all passengers to enjoy a wide outward view, enhancing the feeling of a comfortable, relaxing drive.

An Equally Artistic Exterior

Intima's exterior styling matches the interior's artistic image, with a design that combines sharp-edged lines and organic panel surfaces. "The balance of these two elements creates a refined mood based on the ideas of 'relaxation' and 'comfort,'" explained Saito.

Rich elegance is conveyed though Intima's arching side character line, while the crystal-like appearance of the front and rear lamps, grille and wheels project an image of superior quality and refinement reminiscent of jewelry. The subdued luster of the chrome finish also contributes to the impression of refined quality imparted by all of the exterior embellishments.

"Intima demonstrates that art and functionality are not mutually exclusive," said Saito. "There is a strong role of visual attractiveness in creating a comfortable, relaxing interior that is often overlooked. Intima, and Nissan's Modern Living Concept, are leading the way in the advancement of visually stimulating interior design."

A quiet, environmentally friendly clean diesel engine

Intima also features an environmentally friendly, V6 clean diesel engine. Designed to be in harmony with Intima's relaxing, high quality interior, the new-generation clean diesel offers quiet operation, as well as enhanced fuel efficiency.