Nissan teases ‘Hyper Tourer’ EV concept ahead of physical debut at Japan Mobility Show
Ahead of the Japan Mobility Show taking place next week, Nissan has unveiled its third EV concept this month. The Hyper Tourer is an exercise to shoebox aerodynamics that will join two other previously teased concept renderings as a physical presence in Japan.
It’s been a busy month for Nissan and especially its team of graphic designers. The Japanese automaker has been peppering the public with unique EV concepts, albeit in rendering form… at least so far.
The strategy is part of a “Hyper” concept campaign in which Nissan unveils a new digital model leading up to the Japan Mobility Show. The automaker explained that it chose the word “Hyper” in its new series as a fitting expression of the “heightened excitement” it aims to bring… hopefully in the form of a product model as Nissan currently only offers the Ariya and legendary, but beyond dated LEAF. That said, we’ve been assure there are more on the way.
In early October, Nissan shared the Hyper Urban EV concept – a futuristic crossover inspired by a kaleidoscope with collapsible front seats and a fully-customizable display. A week later, we saw the Hyper Adventure SUV – a study in aerodynamics featuring a large battery, vehicle-to-load capabilities, plus wheels and bumpers fitted with snow traction gears.
To complete the trifecta, Nissan has now introduced a third EV concept called the Hyper Touring – not as sexy as its abstract siblings no, but a fresh spin on the minivan that’s worth a gander before its public debut. See for yourself.
Nissan’s minivan EV concept is something
The Hyper Tourer is a sight to see… if you’re into futuristic minivans, but who isn’t, right? Nissan teased yet another set of renderings of its latest concept this evening, promising to unveil a physical version in Japan next week.
Nissan describes the Hyper Tourer as a minivan design for “individuals who appreciate the finer things in life and enjoy the company of friends and associates, whether on a road trip or business outing.” The Japanese concept of omotenashi, meaning “Japanese hospitality,” is present throughout to support a comfortable ride for all, including autonomous capabilities, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) functionality, and a high-capacity battery pack.
Inside, the concept’s overhead console and lighting showcase traditional Japanese kumiko and koushi patterns, while flat LED panels in the floor display a riverbed and the sky (seen above). Nissan elaborated on other features in the EV’s interior:
The front seats can swivel 360 degrees, allowing front- and rear-seat passengers to have face-to-face discussions. Rear-seat passengers can use a wearable display to view and operate the navigation and audio on the front-seat center display, creating a sense of unity among all occupants. Also, an innovative AI system can monitor your biometric signs—including brain waves, heart rate, breathing and perspiration—and automatically select complementary music and adjust the lighting to fit your mood.
The Hyper Tourer will be on display in Japan beginning October 25 alongside the other two “Hyper” concept Nissan EVs mentioned above. The three models will also be features in a music video that will also debut on the 25th.
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First Solar just cut the ribbon on a huge new factory in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, and it dwarfs the New Orleans Superdome. The company’s $1.1 billion, fully vertically integrated facility spans 2.4 million square feet, or about 11 times the size of the stadium’s main arena.
The factory began production quietly in July, a few months ahead of schedule, and employs more than 700 people. First Solar expects that number to hit 826 by the end of the year. Once it’s fully online, the site will add 3.5 GW of annual manufacturing capacity. That brings the company’s total US footprint to 14 GW in 2026 and 17.7 GW in 2027, when its newly announced South Carolina plant is anticipated to come online.
The Louisiana plant produces First Solar’s Series 7 modules using US-made materials — glass from Illinois and Ohio, and steel from Mississippi, which is fabricated into backrails in Louisiana.
The new factory leans heavily on AI, from computer vision that spots defects on the line to deep learning tools that help technicians make real‑time adjustments.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry says the investment is already a win for the region, bringing in “hundreds of good-paying jobs and new opportunities for Louisiana workers and businesses.” A new economic impact analysis from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette projects that the factory will boost Iberia Parish’s GDP by 4.4% in its first full year at capacity. The average manufacturing compensation package comes in at around $90,000, more than triple the parish’s per capita income.
First Solar CEO Mark Widmar framed the new facility as a major step for US clean energy manufacturing: “By competitively producing energy technology in America with American materials, while creating American jobs, we’re demonstrating that US reindustrialization isn’t just a thesis, it’s an operating reality.”
This site joins what’s already the largest solar manufacturing and R&D footprint in the Western Hemisphere: three factories in Ohio, one in Alabama, and R&D centers in Ohio and California. Just last week, First Solar announced a new production line in Gaffney, South Carolina, to onshore more Series 6 module work. By the end of 2026, the company expects to directly employ more than 5,500 people across the US.
Read more: First Solar pours $330M into a new South Carolina solar factory
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No, it’s not the new Bolt. GM’s design team previewed a new high-riding “sporty Chevrolet EV” that should be brought to life.
Is Chevy launching a new sporty EV?
This is the all-electric vehicle Chevy should sell in the US. General Motors’ design team released a series of sketches previewing a sporty new Chevy EV.
Although it kinda looks like the new 2027 Chevy Bolt EV as a higher-sitting compact crossover SUV, the design offers a fresh take on what it should have looked like.
The new Bolt is essentially a modernized version of the outgoing EUV model with a similar compact crossover silhouette. Nissan adopted a similar style with the new 2026 LEAF as buyers continue shifting from smaller sedans and hatchbacks to crossovers and SUVs.
Will we see the sporty Chevy EV in real life? It’s not likely. For one, the “exploration sketch” is by GM China Advanced designer Charles Huang.
GM Design posted the sketches on its global social media page, but the caption read “Sporty Chevrolet EV for the China Market.”
It’s too bad. The Bolt could use a sporty sibling like an SS variant. Chevy introduced the Blazer EV SS (check out our review) for the 2026 model year, its fastest “SS” model yet. Packing up to 615 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, the Chevy Blazer SS can race from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds when using Wide Open Watts (WOW) mode.
Will the Bolt be next? I wouldn’t get my hopes up. And if GM does bring the sporty Chevy EV to life, it will likely only be sold in China. Like all the fun cars these days.
What do you think of the design? Would you buy one of these in the US? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
While deliveries of the 2027 Bolt are set to begin in early 2026, Chevy is offering some sweet deals on its current EV lineup, including up to $4,000 off in Customer Cash and 0% APR financing for 60 months.
Ready to test drive one? You can use our links below to find Chevy Equinox, Blazer, and Silverado EVs at a dealership near you.
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Environment
Podcast: Electricity is the base currency, Tesla Robotaxi crashes, new Porsche Cayenne EV, and more
In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss electricity becoming the base currency, Tesla Robotaxi crashes, the new Porsche Cayenne EV, and more.
The show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
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Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:
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