Nissan Once Designed A Concept Car Around The Needs Of An Underwater Photographer
Today’s automotive landscape is filled with a dizzying array of vehicles, many of which blend into the background. But sometimes, a seemingly ordinary vehicle has a surprising origin story. Take the Nissan NV200, for example, a compact van often seen shuttling cargo or serving as a taxi. Its roots, however, are a bit more… aquatic.
Before the NV200 became a practical work vehicle, Nissan envisioned it as a concept car tailored to meet the specific needs of underwater photographers. Yes, you read that right. In 2008, Nissan’s design team aimed to capture the interest of this specialized market. The idea was to create the ultimate mobile base for marine biologists and underwater photographers, people who often have to haul a mountain of equipment to remote locations.
Imagine the case a marine biologist/photographer. When setting off on an expedition, he or she might take along a mountain of equipment – including underwater cameras and lights, scuba diving equipment, an underwater scooter, computer equipment for downloading digital images, mobile communication equipment to send the images to clients or research centers, clothing, food and water, and perhaps camping or overnight gear. This is typically enough equipment to fill a van, with little space left over for an on-site office. That’s where innovation comes in.
This niche focus led to some interesting design choices. The concept van featured a slide-out rack designed to hold all the essentials for an underwater expedition. This included oxygen tanks, propulsion devices, flippers, cameras, and other gear.
Inside, the concept showcased a workstation for tasks. Think of it as a mobile editing suite for touching up images of marine life.
While many concept car features don’t make it to production, the NV200 concept was remarkably close to the final product. The side window design, for instance, was carried over.
Though the distinctive door handles, yellow-tinted glass, and unique wheels seen in the concept car did not make it to the production model, the overall form of the van was retained.
So, the next time you see a white NV200 van, perhaps used by a plumber or university, take a moment to appreciate its unique and offbeat origin story. It’s a testament to a time when even the most practical of vehicles could be born from a creative spark.
