DETROIT, Jan. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Hours after unveiling the Nissan Resonance, a design concept previewing the direction of future Nissan crossovers, the vehicle was selected as winner of the EyesOn Design Award for Best Concept Vehicle. The announcement was made at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2013 EyesOn Design Awards ceremony held Tuesday evening, January 15.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130116/CL44004 ) 
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080506/NISSANWORDMARKLOGO )

One of the premier awards in transportation design, the EyesOn Design Awards honors the best production and concept cars making their North American or worldwide debut at NAIAS. In their seventh year, the awards recognize the skill and creativity of today's most gifted designers in the areas of aesthetics and innovation; concept implementation; and functionality and spirit of industrial design. Winners are selected by a panel of active and retired design heads of automotive companies, transportation design chairs from top art schools, and designers from other fields.

The Resonance concept was created under the guidance of Shiro Nakamura, senior vice president and chief creative officer of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., and features an open, airy architecture highlighted by a unique "floating" roof created through the use of the thin, steeply raked A-pillars, large full-length glass panel and flowing D-pillar design. Inside, the designers imagined what the future of first-class space travel might be: Welcoming yet exclusive and high-tech yet premium. The resulting "VIP lounge," with its light, buttery leather and premium-stitched seats, exudes genuine sophistication.

The all-wheel drive Resonance concept also features an efficient, hybrid-electric drivetrain that includes Nissan's proprietary "one-motor, two-clutch" system, which combines a smaller displacement internal combustion gasoline engine with an electric motor, lithium-ion battery and advanced management system.

About Nissan North America 
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, and 2012 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan 
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.8 million vehicles in 2011, generating revenue of 9.4 trillion yen ($118.95 billion US). With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of 64 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero-emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades, including the prestigious 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan and 2011 World Car of the Year awards.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

SOURCE Nissan North America