What's all this about?

We might be looking at the next Nissan Juke here. And even if we aren't, this design language will be seen on all manner of Nissan products in the future. This is the Xmotion (pronounced 'cross-motion') Concept, and it made its debut at the Detroit Motor Show.

Why do you think it's the next Juke?

Nissan says it previews a 'potentially groundbreaking compact SUV' and the company's compact SUV at the moment is the Juke, which has been soldiering on for quite some time now. An all-new model is on the way and these motor show concepts can quite often morph into production reality. The Xmotion has six seats spread across three rows, in what Nissan dubs a '4+2' arrangement - this is automotive code-speak for 'the rearmost seats are absolutely tiny and only for very, very small children'.

However, inside the Xmotion traditional Japanese 'kigumi' wood joinery is fused with seven digital display screens, hand gesture and eye movement controls for the infotainment/displays, and the latest in new-generation Nissan Intelligent Mobility are all part of the spec list on the Nissan concept.

What about those looks, though?

Edgy, isn't it? Some of the more extreme bits of the Xmotion - its retractable roofbox, the tail-lights designed with inspiration from Japanese woodwork and a set of 21-inch alloys with the all-terrain tyres' tread physically laminated to each wheel - won't ever make it to the showroom. But do look out for U-shaped design features, like the headlights, and the 'bold evolution' of the company's signature V-motion grille, which should be on production Nissans sooner rather than later.

Anything else?

Alfonso Albaisa, senior vice-president of global design at Nissan Motor Co, said: "In the Xmotion concept, we explored the more rugged and powerful side of Nissan Intelligent Mobility. Bold and powerful forms and proportions are, upon closer inspection, contrasted with aspects of traditional Japanese craftsmanship expressed in a contemporary way.

"The exterior's combination of Western and Eastern concepts continues inside the Xmotion, where advanced connectivity and autonomous technologies mix with modern Japanese digital art and cultural craftsmanship. At a glance, Xmotion may appear to have a minimal design language, but a closer look reveals layers of detail that make this concept exceptional."