Success stories
Silvia model is an ideal partner for us to
Rancilio’s
communicate the character of our target customer, who would like the story behind the coffee machine
Takahiro Ohno, Nissan Global Design Center
tamper, an easy-to-use knock box, and so forth,” says Ohno. “We tried to choose everything in the design to
be as simple as possible and readily available in the market, all in a matte black finish that looks unified but stands out on the light beige wooden shelf,” he adds. “Te biggest challenge was the choice of
components in the right size and quantity to fit inside the shelf, which is limited by the size of the cargo space of the vehicle, without compromising either the quality of the espresso or the shelf design.” Te shelf is constructed to appear symmetrical
when seen next to the shelf in the Remastered version, which houses a range of audio components. Te Unwind shelf resembles the number 5, while the Remastered shelf looks like the number 2. Together, the two designs create a sense of visual
balance when the cars are parked on either side of the trailer deck. Te design also offers a subtle reference to important dates, representing both the year 2025 and the 25th anniversary of the Nissan X-Trail.
Embracing Italian expertise Integrating premium espresso equipment into a concept vehicle is a bold and innovative idea. Turning that vision into reality, however, requires practical thinking and a strong understanding of what makes a great cup of coffee. It also involves making adjustments to ensure the final setup is both functional and user-friendly. For example, Nissan originally considered using
Rancilio’s Silvia Pro X espresso machine, but its height exceeded the available space on the lower shelf. Te team ultimately opted for the single- boiler model, which offered a better fit without compromising quality. “As a result, both shelves look very efficient
Nissan was drawn to Rancilio’s commitment to leveraging its rich heritage to stay at the cutting-edge of innovation
32 Aliworld
without looking too empty or too full,” says Ohno. “Rancilio’s Silvia model is an ideal partner for us to communicate the character of our target customer, who would like the story behind the espresso machine,” he adds. “It was, after all, created as the first espresso
machine to be converted from a commercial machine to domestic use. Rancilio also has a long history as a company, having evolved espresso culture ever since 1926.”
Nissan was drawn to Rancilio not only for its
rich history in espresso machine craftsmanship, but also for its commitment to using that legacy to remain at the forefront of innovation. “Our collaboration began when Nissan’s team
approached us to explore creating a design experience tailored specifically to their ideal customer,” says Francesco Di Sano, Rancilio’s sales area manager for Japan. “We bring a long history of expertise in crafting robust and premium espresso machines, and I think that we are naturally suited to deliver the experience Nissan wanted.” “In terms of design, our Silvia espresso machine
and Stile grinder stand out thanks to their unique design, which complements the Nissan vision very well,” he adds. “Tey are compact, with a minimalist and functional aesthetic, which enhances any environment they occupy.” Designing a functional yet elegantly compact
espresso setup for the vehicle’s limited space was a significant challenge. Rancilio collaborated closely with Nissan, providing 3D models of its products. Each component needed to integrate seamlessly into the slide-out design, meeting both aesthetic and practical requirements. Rancilio also offered valuable input on ergonomics, usability, and how best to pair the machine with complementary espresso tools and coffee beans.
On the road to success Te Unwind perfectly showcases the potential and the flexibility of the car in terms of spatial design, and the reaction from the public so far has been encouraging. “Customers have been impressed with what the car can potentially do with its high- power supply,” says Ohno. “Some even asked for the price, so it must have looked too real to call it just a concept car.” If the car were to come into production, one
challenge would remain – reducing the cost of production. “Te cost makes this car purely a concept, like so
many other examples from the past,” Ohno adds. “Tat is despite the confidence of our small team in its potential to be commercially successful.” Even though the Unwind will remain a pleasant
pipe dream, nothing can stop any coffee lover who owns an X-Trail from partially replicating the same set-up. After all, the car has more than enough power and space to brew a great cup of coffee with Rancilio Silvia. ■
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