2005 Nissan Note Adidas Edition Concept

Unveiled at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, the Nissan Note Adidas Edition was a playful, design-focused concept created in collaboration with the global sportswear brand Adidas. Based on the compact Nissan Note, this 159-inch (around 4 meters) long hatchback featured extensive visual customization designed to embody the idea of a “wearable” car.

The exterior styling cues were bold and literal. The grille, bodysides, and alloy wheels were sculpted to resemble the tread pattern of athletic footwear, especially the sole of a tennis shoe. The car’s texture and surface detailing reinforced this theme, projecting the idea of a car as a fashion accessory—one that could “move with you” in both purpose and aesthetic.

Inside, the concept leaned fully into its fashion-forward theme. The cabin was trimmed in colorful, durable fabrics similar to those used in performance sportswear, and rubberized materials enhanced its utility and visual link to active lifestyles. The most whimsical feature was the glove box, which was accessed by a zipper, mimicking the function of a sports bag.

Under the hood, it retained the Note’s 1.5-liter engine—nothing extraordinary in performance terms, but not the point here. The Adidas Edition was all about style over speed, a conversation piece more than a performance vehicle.

Though never intended for production, the Note Adidas Edition demonstrated Nissan’s willingness in the mid-2000s to experiment with brand collaborations and lifestyle marketing—positioning the car as part of a personal identity, much like your favorite pair of sneakers. Quirky? Absolutely. Pointless? Maybe. But it reflected a growing automotive trend of turning everyday vehicles into design statements.