Design student dreams up a Datsun revival
 

07-30-2008 01:58 PM

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/conceptcars/" rel="tag">Concept Cars</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/timewarp/" rel="tag">Time Warp</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/euro/" rel="tag">Euro</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/nissan/" rel="tag">Nissan</a></p><a href="http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2008/07/28-datsun-xlink-concept/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/nawta_xlink_450.jpg"></a><br><br>Ever since the Datsun nameplate gave way to Nissan, some fans have wanted it back. The "Nissan 510" just doesn't have the same ring. Design student Benjamin Nawka agrees, and as his thesis project at Pforzheim University in Germany, he created the Datsun XLink as a way to fulfill unrequited Datsun-lover dreams. <br><br>Just as fantastic as the idea of the Datsun name coming back are the myriad of details the designer conjured up for his concept. Working at Nissan's Yulon Design Center in Taiwan, the Datsun of Dreams was given winglets for an aircraft touch, a coupe-like shape that conceals a four-place interior, a party animal nav system that's always on the lookout for things that might entertain you, and a two-mode diesel hybrid drivetrain spinning the wheels on a height adjustable chassis that's a nod to traveling on less-developed roads -- it is a "world car" afterall. While Nissan offered support for this design, we wouldn't get our hopes up for any actual return of the Datsun name, though this is the company that offered factory-restored Z-Cars back in the 1990s, so stranger things have happened.<br><br><div><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/nissan-xlink/">Nissan XLink</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/nissan-xlink/950547/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/datsun-xlink-01-lg_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title=""></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/nissan-xlink/950554/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/datsun-xlink-05-lg_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title=""></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/nissan-xlink/950559/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/datsun-xlink-07-lg_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title=""></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/nissan-xlink/950552/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/datsun-xlink-08-lg_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title=""></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/nissan-xlink/950550/"><img src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/07/datsun-xlink-09-lg_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title=""></a></div><br>[Source: <a href="http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2008/07/28-datsun-xlink-concept/">Car Body Design</a>]<br><p style="clear:both;padding:8px 0 0 0;height:2px;font-size:1px;border:0;margin:0;padding:0">Â*</p><p><a href="http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2008/07/28-datsun-xlink-concept/">Read</a>Â*|Â*<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/30/design-student-dreams-up-a-datsun-revival/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1269711/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/30/design-student-dreams-up-a-datsun-revival/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p><hr>
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drag him out into a public square and shoot him.

let datsun stay dead. nothing nissan will bring out will do that name justice, and to even CONSIDER using it as a "youth" brand is fucking insulting.

i agree looks like a honda and wtf is with those stupid looking fins on the hatch.

If it was a better looking concept I wouldn't be mad, but its looks like ass so the datsun is not gonna come back. That reminds me, I want a 510 =)

A face only a mother errr design student could love. It's interesting to say the least. Im not sure what the winglets are for. Down force? Some of his concept drawing were alot better than what he ended up with. I do agree with leaving the name "Datsun" alone. Unless they come out with something like retro concept they need to leave well enough alone.

its a decent concept car, but for throw back or a revival it has no datsun styling cues or resemblance. the 350z concept looks more like a datsun car than this one... it looks more like a 2099 revival of the prius.

it looks like a blind version of the gt90 concept on steroids

God that is ugly.

I say make a new 510 based off of the new S-Chassis that looks like an updated classic 510 and then we're talkin.

sorry but that cracked me up. :rofl:

That looks terrible. This other guy did a revival of the 240Z on 3D Max a few years back that looks a shitload better than this crap:

http://www.3dluvr.com/grid/temp/D_24..._conc_97__.jpg

http://www.3dluvr.com/grid/temp/D_24..._conc_99__.jpg

http://www.3dluvr.com/grid/temp/D_24..._conc_98__.jpg

http://www.3dluvr.com/grid/temp/D_24..._conc_96__.jpg

http://www.3dluvr.com/grid/temp/D_24..._conc_95__.jpg

http://www.3dluvr.com/grid/temp/D_24..._conc_75__.jpg

Those aren't even the hi-res shots.

Wow that concept is ugly as fuck.

The 240 redesign is sex.

Yea, that 240 is amazing.

wow that is sooooo sexy!

front end of that looks like crap. the sides and back however seem to have some hope, although i don't see any reason that it should be badged datsun.

looks like a relative to the Pontiac Aztek

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/6633/aztekleaderdo6.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a><br/><a href="http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=106&i=aztekleaderdo6.jpg"><img src="http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/6633/aztekleaderdo6.a60424e228.jpg" border="0"></a>

To ZForce rendition of the 280 Z

Awesome! I will buy it on a heart-bit!!

I'm sorry but I just had to say that car looks absolutely futuristically stunning.

Holy Jebus, that is hot.

The other one is....well......:barf:

http://www.3dluvr.com/grid/temp/D_24..._conc_97__.jpg
why are we not making this, dammit. Screw the 370z, i want this one :) And it even has the lines to be powered by a proper i6. Who ever thought you could make a louvered rear windscreen look hip and current?!?!!

Seriously, nissan, dump the 370z and pick up this baby (I know they dont read this, but I am going to post anyway.)

except fopr the front bumper being gay ...i think the rest looks nice....

didtch the louvers for tint and the z-looker is decent.

true true but back in the day that was the shit

haha that was the sh!t! That and the super wide 600mm wink mirrors and your were sure to pick up some disco bunnies...

I could imagine a freshly designed (SR?) 2400cc inline 4 cylinder engine using Nissan’s VCR (Variable Compression Ratio) technology turbocharged! It’s also possible the 2.4L engine would a VVEL system similar to what is used in the V36 Nissan Skyline coupe.

SR24DET - VCR/VVEL FTW!
300hp/260tq RELIABLE



btw: this engine concept is completely fiction.

GAH give up on the SR ITS DEAD!

stop calling your imaginary motors SR's

say MR or QR or VR or VQ

FYI: your statement is only partially correct.

SR letters identify the straight 4 cyl engine family.

VR or VQ letters identify the V6 cyl engine family.

btw: SR20VET sill used in the current Japanese model X-Trail

Id hope for a Genuine Japanese built engine "SR" as apposed to the Renault and Nissan joint effort engine, the "MR"... wishful thinking


i do agree that the sr is almost dead.

if sr identifies the straight 4 line of engines, then why does my engine, which is a straight 4, say KA?

:)

they should put a CA in it :keke:

true. the list of 4cyl engines and letter identification goes on. but staying true to my post regarding SR and the quote below.:bigok:

Quote:
Originally Posted by XXXX #/f/images/zilvia/buttons/viewpost.gif
GAH give up on the SR ITS DEAD!

stop calling your imaginary motors SR's

say MR or QR or VR or VQ


um... sure why not :)

What you guys think of this?? Iacoski Datsun 240Z/Fairlady - Autoblog