Nissan Kicks Surf Is the Ultimate Ally for a Surfer’s Lifestyle

Inspired by champion surfers, Nissan today introduced the Nissan Kicks Surf, a concept car designed for those in search of the perfect wave.

Based on the award-winning Nissan Kicks compact crossover, the Kicks Surf is equipped with roof crossbars for carrying boards, a rear deck for wetsuits and accessories, a changing booth and a portable shower system. It also comes with a water-resistant wrist band that can be used as a key to lock and unlock the doors.

To develop the Kicks Surf, designers at Nissan's Latin American satellite design studio interviewed brothers Alejo and Santiago Muniz – surfing champions who compete for Brazil and Argentina, respectively – and asked them what features they’d put on their ideal surf vehicle.

"We imagined it would have to be the perfect ally for the lifestyle and needs of surfers," said John Sahs, who led Nissan’s design team.

The design was also inspired by Latin America’s famous beaches. The Kicks Surf stands out for its predominantly blue color with yellow-green accents, and graphics representing ocean waves. Inside, details including blue stitching complement the exterior colors.

"Blue is an evolving color that goes from dark to light, and we used it to represent the variety of tones in ocean water,” said Sahs. “The bright yellow-green accents, together with the blue, gives the Nissan Kicks Surf concept vehicle a dynamic and sporty feel.”

The Nissan Kicks, the brand’s first global model launched in Latin America, has become one of the region’s top-selling cars. Its accolades include being named "2017 SUV of the Year" by the Inter-American Automobile Journalists Federation and "Best SUV of the Year" by Car and Driver Brazil magazine. In the U.S., the Kicks was named "Compact CUV of Texas" and "Best Value" at the 2018 Texas Truck Rodeo.