2003 Nissan C-Note Concept

Introduced at the 2003 Montreal International Auto show alongside the Nissan Cube, the Nissan C-Note was a concept vehicle which could be the prototype for the new entry into the Canadian market. Realizing that there was a strong demand for more compact and affordable vehicles in Canada, Nissan Motor Company President and CEO Carlos Ghosn told visitors to the 36th annual Montreal show 'We already sell the Sentra compact sedan here, but we also see an opportunity to offer a new kind of compact car in the future - smaller than the Sentra, but with premium interior comfort and roominess, improved gas mileage and Nissan-brand design and performance.' Both of the cars on display represented the type of vehicle Ghosn was referring to. The C-Note concept is Nissans new idea test bed for the next-generation Sentra.

Since the Sentra has been such a giant seller for Nissan over the past years, and it was also the Japanese brands entry vehicles. But it was time for a redo, a complete ground up wholesale makeover. Since a next-generation Sentra was expected just around the corner, it's not a huge surprise that a newly revitalized Nissan was eager to impress with what they have. The yellow hatchback euro-look ‘wagonesque' concept wasn't Nissans version of parent company Renaults Megane II, it is actually Nissans new test bed for its upcoming C-segment car, the replacement.

The C in C-Note adduced 'Comfort' the concept features 'premium interior comfort and roominess' according to Ghosn. Offering a concentrated blend of comfort amenities, the interior featured extensive roominess that goes far beyond the size extrapolated by its exterior appearance. The interior was finished with quality that was easily seen in the dashboard and the seats with a combination of light and dark earth tones, large windows surrounding and a glass sunroof. Nissan used the premium Infiniti as its example and created an elegant interior design with genuine wood and leather with especially thin air vents and chromed gauges. An easily navigated LCD-based infotainment system was mounted on the center console and similar to Audi's MMI system, there are six main menus activated by their respective buttons. Everything from navigation to the audio systems were controlled and adjusted by a large knob in the center.

By Jessica Donaldson