Nissan and New Balance work together on the new Kicks SUV, inspired by sneakers.
There have been many companies that have partnered with automakers in the past, and most of them have been, to put it mildly, interesting. With a cooperation in Japan with the sneaker company New Balance, Nissan has chosen to take “interesting” to a whole new level.
Kicks 327 Edition, created by Nissan with New Balance
Together, the two companies developed the one-of-a-kind Nissan Kicks 327 edition, which, as you can see, is designed to resemble the New Balance 327 sneakers.
Unmistakable exterior design features include the placement of the brand’s iconic “N” on the side of the Kicks while the tongue of the shoe is fastened to the crossover’s roof. The texture and form of the tongue have been created to look and feel exactly like those on the original 327 sneakers based on the photographs.
The brand is using this special edition to spread the word about the Kicks e-power 4WD. Beginning with the Nissan Crossing exhibit in Ginza and running until February 28, 2023, Nissan will exhibit the vehicle in three different places.
Furthermore, a brand-new Kicks e-power 4WD will be given away in a raffle sponsored by both companies. One can still win a 327 shoe or other New Balance merchandise even if they are unable to travel to Japan to snap an actual photo of the Kicks 327 edition.
Mind you, the Nissan Kicks 327 Edition isn’t simply a lighthearted joke. The vehicle will be on display at Nissan Crossing, a total renovation of the Nissan Gallery, a well-known icon in Ginza for more than 50 years. As part of the “Catch the Kicks” marketing effort, those who see the crossover and tweet about it are entered to win a Nissan Kicks e-Power 4WD for themselves. The prize’s livery for the 327 Edition was not made clear, though.
Those who miss out on the opportunity to see the unique Kicks can still enter to win a pair of New Balance 327s by simply retweeting Nissan Motors’ relevant Twitter post.
On a first come, first served basis, a Nissan Kicks 327 Edition sticker will be offered at the New Balance Ginza official store starting on January 24. A cup of the cafe’s signature macchiato will be given to everyone who brings the aforementioned sticker to the Crossing Cafe on the second level of Nissan Crossing.