Nissan Hi-Cross is the most important concept car for the Japanese car maker at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.

That is because it previews not only the new X-trail, but also the new trends Nissan will be applying in all its future crossover vehicles. It matters because because Nissan has a long line of crossovers, including the Juke, the Qashwai, and the Murano.

The design of the Hi-Cross seem to be somewhat inspired by Infiniti FX, or is it just me, and although there is nothing wrong with it, it’s hardly exciting and amazing. It’s alright, that’s what it is. It has a seven-seat cockpit dominated by a new T-wing shaped dashboard

The concept car is powered by an HEV hybrid powertrain, consisting of a 2.0-litre direct injection petrol engine, and the same sort of batteries and electric motors Nissan uses in the LEAF. It provides performance of a 2.5 liter engine, while offering better fuel consumption, and some miles of zero emission driving.

HEV drivetrain is based on new technology developed by Nissan for front-wheel drive models, but modified to provide four-wheel drive. The new system’s innovative approach to affordability and packaging adopts ‘one-motor, two clutch’ technology linked to Nissan’s new generation XTRONIC continuously variable transmission which by itself achieves a 10 per cent improvement in fuel economy over comparable previous generation CVTs. The low friction design has smaller shaft-diameter pulleys with a new belt to give the widest possible ratio coverage for enhanced efficiency.