Driving innovation: mastering the in-car espresso
Driving innovation: mastering the in-car espresso
Concept cars give manufacturers the freedom to explore bold ideas. In one of Nissan’s latest designs, the company caters to coffee lovers with an in-car espresso machine from Rancilio, reports Jim Banks.
Nissan’s new concept car, the X-Trail Unwind, is a vehicle like no other ever seen. In addition to advancements in drive performance, safety, and comfort, this model introduces features designed to elevate life outside the car, turning roadside stops into moments of luxury. Building on the established e-POWER model in the X-Trail range of compact crossover SUVs, the Unwind is Nissan’s attempt to embrace a concept that is rarely explored in automotive design: relaxation.
In doing so, it blurs the line between the car’s interior and the outdoors to help drivers unwind in comfort. At the heart of the Unwind concept is a custom trailer-terrace designed for relaxation. It creates an elevated outdoor experience – a roadside lounge atmosphere. And what does a roadside lounge need most of all? A built-in, slide-out espresso system that fits perfectly into the trunk of the car. The vehicle is customized with a trailer that transforms into a luxurious outdoor terrace. Lift the back door of the Unwind, and you’ll find a beautifully sculpted S-shaped shelf unit, complete with a single-group espresso machine, a smart on-demand coffee grinder, a siphon coffee maker, and a cup shelf.
“The uniqueness of the concept car comes directly from the vehicle it is based on – the Nissan X-Trail – which has a 1500W power outlet in the cargo space that not many competitors can offer,” says Takahiro Ohno of the Nissan Global Design Center. “The concept car shows one of the best examples of how you can make the most of your chance to unwind when you are in nature. “Espresso wakes you up from sleepiness before driving, so espressos and cars are an excellent combination,” he adds. “Furthermore, our research showed that target customers in the core age group – people in their fifties – usually prefer espresso, while younger age groups tend to prefer brewed coffee.”
A new way to enjoy espresso
Engineered for the perfect espresso
A mobile espresso system
The Unwind has a very specific target market in mind. The ideal customer is a perfectionist
in their fifties who takes pride in brewing and drinking espresso without compromise. They enjoy spending time in nature with their son or daughter, who drives an X-Trail Remastered concept equipped with a premium sound system from Audio-Technica and a turntable for vinyl records.
When open, the Unwind’s rear door doubles as an umbrella, shielding the espresso system from rain and showcasing the shelf ’s elegant design. Its curved wooden louvers match the shape and tone of the trailer’s terrace. The slide-out system provides easy access to a Silvia espresso machine, a Stile coffee grinder, and a full suite of accessories – each supplied by Italian company Rancilio.
“A component list was thought out carefully to support every little step of ideal espresso making, such as a digital scale specialized in single dose espresso, a small water spray to moisten the beans, a base to place the portafilter horizontally, devices to stir and level ground beans evenly, a force-limited tamper, an easy-to-use knock box, and so forth,” says Ohno. “We tried to choose everything in the design to be as simple as possible and readily available in the market, all in a matte black finish that looks unified but stands out on the light beige wooden shelf,” he adds. “The biggest challenge was the choice of components in the right size and quantity to fit inside the shelf, which is limited by the size of the cargo space of the vehicle, without compromising either the quality of the espresso or the shelf design.”
The shelf is constructed to appear symmetrical when seen next to the shelf in the Remastered version, which houses a range of audio components. The Unwind shelf resembles the number 5, while the Remastered shelf looks like the number 2. Together, the two designs create a sense of visual balance when the cars are parked on either side of the trailer deck. The design also offers a subtle reference to important dates, representing both the year 2025 and the 25th anniversary of the Nissan X-Trail.
Rancilio’s Silvia model is an ideal partner for us to communicate the character of our target customer, who would like the story behind the coffee machine
Embracing Italian expertise
Integrating premium espresso equipment into a concept vehicle is a bold and innovative idea. Turning that vision into reality, however, requires practical thinking and a strong understanding of what makes a great cup of coffee. It also involves making adjustments to ensure the final setup is both functional and user-friendly.
For example, Nissan originally considered using Rancilio’s Silvia Pro X espresso machine, but its height exceeded the available space on the lower shelf. The team ultimately opted for the singleboiler model, which offered a better fit without compromising quality. “As a result, both shelves look very efficient without looking too empty or too full,” says Ohno. “Rancilio’s Silvia model is an ideal partner for us to communicate the character of our target customer, who would like the story behind the espresso machine,” he adds. “It was, after all, created as the first espresso machine to be converted from a commercial machine to domestic use. Rancilio also has a long history as a company, having evolved espresso culture ever since 1926.”
Nissan was drawn to Rancilio not only for its rich history in espresso machine craftsmanship, but also for its commitment to using that legacy to remain at the forefront of innovation. “Our collaboration began when Nissan’s team approached us to explore creating a design experience tailored specifically to their ideal customer,” says Francesco Di Sano, Rancilio’s sales area manager for Japan. “We bring a long history of expertise in crafting robust and premium espresso machines, and I think that we are naturally suited to deliver the experience Nissan wanted.” “In terms of design, our Silvia espresso machine and Stile grinder stand out thanks to their unique design, which complements the Nissan vision very well,” he adds. “They are compact, with a minimalist and functional aesthetic, which enhances any environment they occupy.”
Designing a functional yet elegantly compact espresso setup for the vehicle’s limited space was a significant challenge. Rancilio collaborated closely with Nissan, providing 3D models of its products. Each component needed to integrate seamlessly into the slide-out design, meeting both aesthetic and practical requirements. Rancilio also offered valuable input on ergonomics, usability, and how best to pair the machine with complementary espresso tools and coffee beans.
Nissan was drawn to Rancilio’s commitment to leveraging its rich heritage to stay at the cutting-edge of innovation
On the road to success
The Unwind perfectly showcases the potential and the flexibility of the car in terms of spatial design, and the reaction from the public so far has been encouraging. “Customers have been impressed with what the car can potentially do with its highpower supply,” says Ohno. “Some even asked for the price, so it must have looked too real to call it just a concept car.”
If the car were to come into production, one challenge would remain – reducing the cost of production. “The cost makes this car purely a concept, like so many other examples from the past,” Ohno adds. “That is despite the confidence of our small team in its potential to be commercially successful.”
Even though the Unwind will remain a pleasant pipe dream, nothing can stop any coffee lover who owns an X-Trail from partially replicating the same set-up. After all, the car has more than enough power and space to brew a great cup of coffee with Rancilio Silvia.
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Rancilio Group manufactures and sells professional coffee machines in more than 115 countries
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Rancilio Group has seven branch offices, two R&D centers, an Extraction Lab and a global sales and service network
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With four distinct brands, Rancilio offers a wide range of products to meet every customer need
What makes Rancilio the ideal espresso partner?
Innovative technology, reliable performance, and timeless Italian craftsmanship make Rancilio the perfect choice for premium coffee experiences.