Reinventing the minivan： from utility to luxury

　　The Nissan Forum concept aims to revive a fading body style-the minivan-by changing its emphasis from utility to luxury.

　　“Why can’t a minivan be something beautiful, something you want to have?” asks Joel Baek, exterior designer for Nissan Design America in San Diego. “The Forum is beefier, more masculine” than traditional minivans.

　　On the exterior, designers experimented with details that could well find their way into production. The sculptural grille, for example, look as if it were made with twisted chrome noodles. The Forum also uses an elegant trackless system to slide the rear doors backwards, like that shown in recent years by the supplier Dura Automotive Svstems.

　　When asked about the concept’s engine, Nissan commented that such a “modern, next-generation family passenger vehicle would include a clean diesel or other environmentally sensitive powerplant.”

　　Advanced interior features

　　Inside, the Forum has six leather captain’s chairs in three rows. The second row swivels around a central pivot, all the seats together, so the four back passengers can face each other.

　　Nissan worked with Bose Corp, the audio specialist, to design a sound and infotainment system. Features displayed on a large screen are controlled by a double knob linked to a proximity sensor, so that the screen displays what it predicts to be the next requirement even before the control is pressed. The system comprises navigation, hands-free telephone, satellite and FM radio tuning, hard disc music, DVD video, and iPod interface.

　　The stereo sound is consistent, even when the second row of seats is facing backwards. This is possible because speakers are built into the headrests and seat backs. Front row and rear passengers can have different audio programmes. Additional speakers built into the trailing edge of the sliding doors and under the car permit outdoor music when the vehicle is parked.

　　Designers were intent on having cameras that monitor the rear seats of the vehicle. The driver, hearing an argument or other fussing in back, is able to look at the passengers on the video screen. If need be, he can push a “Time Out” button on the steering wheel that cuts off all audio in the car and brings his voice to each speaker.

　　参考译文：

　　日产Forum概念车致力于复兴一种没落的车型——迷你厢式车，将它的特点从实用变成奢华。

　　在圣地亚哥的美国日产设计部外饰设计师Joel Baek问道：“迷你厢式车为什么不能漂亮，不能成为你想要的车呢？Forum比传统的迷你厢式车更强壮，更具有阳刚之气。”

　　在外部设计上，设计师们尝试了各种细节来帮助新车能够取得成功。举个例子，雕刻般的格栅看上去就好像用弯曲的铬合金面条制成的。Forum还使用了典雅的无轨侧面滑门，后门可以向后滑动推开，就像近些年供应商Dura汽车系统公司（Dura Automotive Systems）展示的那样。

　　当被问到这款概念车的引擎时，日产评论到“现代，下一代家用乘用车将使用清洁的柴油或者其他环保型动力的发动机。”

　　先进的内部设计

　　内饰上，Forum有六个真皮座椅，放置成三排。整个第二排座椅一起可以绕着中央支点旋转，所以后面两排四个乘客可以互相面对面坐着。

　　日产和音响专家Bose公司（Bose Corp）一起合作设计了音响，信息娱乐系统。显示在大屏幕上的画面由一个连接着近程传感器的双摇杆所控制。屏幕上显示着在控制器按下之前下一个可能的需求。这个系统包含导航系统，免提电话，卫星和调频无线电的。

　　因为扬声器设置在头靠和椅背上，所以立体声是调和连贯的，甚至当第二排座位面朝后的时候。前排和后面的乘客可以享受不同的视频节目。另外的扬声器放置在侧滑门的后沿以及车下，当汽车停放在一边的时候可以享受一番户外音乐。

　　设计师们设置了一个可以监视车辆后排座椅的摄像头。当驾驶员听到后座的争吵或者发生特殊情况时，他可以在屏幕上看到后座乘客情况。如果需要的话，他可以按下方向盘上的“暂停”键切断车上所有的音频并且将他的声音传到每个扬声器。