The Resonance concept made its debut in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show, signaling the bold new "edgy" design direction for future SUVs and crossovers from Nissan.

Nissan Resonance Concept
Nissan
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Nissan Resonance Concept
Nissan
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Proving again that automakers are moving farther and farther away from SUVs and crossovers that look like the trucks they were originally based on, the Resonance sports futuristic, aerodynamic styling, with sharp, fluid edges that flow from the knife-like boomerang headlamps back to the lift gate. It looks like it's cutting through a windstorm just sitting parked in your driveway.

In other design touches, the roof gets a unique "floating" design created by thin, steeply raked A-pillars and a large full-length glass panel roof giving the effect of spaciousness when you're inside the cabin looking out, and the Resonance also features 22-inch, full dynamic flow aluminum-alloy wheels—because apparently in the future everyone will ride on dubs.

Nissan Resonance Concept
Nissan
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Inside the designers "imagined what the future of first-class space travel might be: Welcoming yet exclusive, and high-tech yet premium." They designed what they call the "VIP lounge," complete with leather, premium-stitched seats, sequential welcome lighting, and an advanced instrument panel where the driver can access all infotainment and communication features, graphically layered to give a holographic experience. (No word on whether it's advanced enough to give a true Princess-Leia-help-me-Obi-Wan holographic experience… but you can bet that'll happen soon enough.)

Nissan Resonance Concept
Nissan
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Though Nissan stresses that the all-wheel drive Resonance is presented strictly as a design concept (read: you won't ever be driving this exact vehicle, so don't call asking when it will be at your local dealer), the efficient hybrid electric drivetrain that's lurking under its exterior signals their understanding of the desire by crossover drivers to be respectful of the environment without sacrificing driving pleasure. So they've given the Resonance Nissan's proprietary "one-motor, two-clutch" system that combines a smaller displacement internal combustion gasoline engine with an electric motor/lithium-ion battery and advanced management system. Meaning you'll get the fuel economy without feeling like you're driving a hamster-powered vehicle.

Nissan Resonance Concept
Nissan
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While the Resonance won't make it to the roads as is, look for some of these design cues and tech advancements to start showing up in future Nissan vehicles. We are still holding out for the on-board hologram messenger.

Nissan Resonance Concept
Nissan
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What are your thoughts on the sleeker, less truck-like look crossovers and SUVs are getting? Too feminine? Or are we finally getting the space-age design aesthetic we dreamed about as kids? Let us know in the comments.

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