Though possibly not even hinting at a possible new production car, we really liked the Foria concept shown at the Tokyo Motor Show on the busy Nissan stand. Many people would have ignored the smooth lines next to the show stopping GT-R PROTO, but we liked the Foria a lot; it captures the elegance and sportiness of Italian cars from the '60s perfectly.

The Foria is the latest concept to feature 'suicide' rear doors and surely it is only a matter of time before someone other than Mazda puts this stylish idea into production. The Foria features small rear doors to allow access to the rear seats, though really it should be considered to be a 2+2. The emphasis is on the driving experience too, with low weight and rear-wheel drive being essential considerations. Inside, tactility of the materials used was as important as the appearance. Nissan's designers are doing sterling work at the moment. It bodes well for the future.

Shane O' Donoghue - 24 Oct 2005