04 Success stories
Driving innovation: mastering the in-car espresso
Concept cars give manufacturers the freedom to explore bold ideas. In one of Nissan’s latest designs, the company caters to coffee lovers with an in-car espresso machine from Rancilio, reports Jim Banks
N
Above: Nissan’s Takahiro Ohno with Rancilio's Francesco Di Sano. Right: the X-Trail Unwind
30 Aliworld
issan’s new concept car, the X-Trail Unwind, is a vehicle like no other ever seen. In addition to advancements in drive performance, safety, and comfort, this model introduces features designed to elevate
life outside the car, turning roadside stops into moments of luxury. Building on the established e-POWER model in
the X-Trail range of compact crossover SUVs, the Unwind is Nissan’s attempt to embrace a concept that is rarely explored in automotive design: relaxation. In doing so, it blurs the line between the car’s interior and the outdoors to help drivers unwind in comfort. At the heart of the Unwind concept is a custom trailer-terrace designed for relaxation. It creates an
elevated outdoor experience – a roadside lounge atmosphere. And what does a roadside lounge need most of all? A built-in, slide-out espresso system that fits perfectly into the trunk of the car. Te vehicle is customized with a trailer that
transforms into a luxurious outdoor terrace. Lift the back door of the Unwind, and you'll find a beautifully sculpted S-shaped shelf unit, complete with a single-group espresso machine, a smart on-demand coffee grinder, a siphon coffee maker, and a cup shelf. “Te uniqueness of the concept car comes
directly from the vehicle it is based on – the Nissan X-Trail – which has a 1500W power outlet in the cargo space that not many competitors can offer,” says Takahiro Ohno of the Nissan Global Design Center. “Te concept car shows one of the best examples
of how you can make the most of your chance to unwind when you are in nature. “Espresso wakes you up from sleepiness before
driving, so espressos and cars are an excellent combination,” he adds. “Furthermore, our research showed that target
customers in the core age group – people in their fifties – usually prefer espresso, while younger age groups tend to prefer brewed coffee.”
A mobile espresso system Te Unwind has a very specific target market in mind. Te ideal customer is a perfectionist in their fifties who takes pride in brewing and drinking espresso without compromise. Tey enjoy spending time in nature with their son or daughter, who drives an X-Trail Remastered concept equipped with a premium sound system from Audio-Technica and a turntable for vinyl records. When open, the Unwind’s rear door doubles as
an umbrella, shielding the espresso system from rain and showcasing the shelf ’s elegant design. Its curved wooden louvers match the shape and tone of the trailer’s terrace. Te slide-out system provides easy access to a
Silvia espresso machine, a Stile coffee grinder, and a full suite of accessories – each supplied by Italian company Rancilio. “A component list was thought out carefully
to support every little step of ideal espresso making, such as a digital scale specialized in single dose espresso, a small water spray to moisten the beans, a base to place the portafilter horizontally, devices to stir and level ground beans evenly, a force-limited
▸
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100
