Nissan’s concept minivan: popcorn optional

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The Nissan Forum is a minivan with a microwave. No, that’s not some futuristic means of propulsion, just the usual thing for heating up pies and making popcorn. And given that the Forum seats seven, it should be quite a well-used microwave.

This concept -- which will be displayed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January -- takes a decent stab at making minivans more appealing (not just to pie- and popcorn-eating types). It has wide-opening front doors and a clean, swooping profile with sliding side doors. Above the passengers is a moon roof with glass panels that open.

Interestingly, power comes from a diesel engine, linked to a continuously variable transmission. The interior does the expected prestidigitation with its seats, as well as offering stuff like Bluetooth and voice-activated navigation. Because a minivan is bound to have misbehaving offspring in the back, the Forum has passenger cameras. And the microwave is in the center console, a perfect partner to the DVD player.

-- Colin Ryan