Nissan will unveil a hydrogen-fueled compact SUV concept at the Paris Motor Show.

The Terra SUV concept has been billed as a design concept and not a technical exhibit but features a fully functional 4x4 fuel cell electric powertrain that is found in Nissan's Leaf electric vehicle.

The vehicle shares design elements with the Japanese brand's Juke and Qashqai crossover vehicles.

The inside of the vehicle is decked out in a blend of wood, metal and acrylic fusion and is supposed to give the cabin a 'soft warmth'.

The Terra also boasts an unusual driving position that will see the driver seated front and almost centre in a diagonal layout that positions rear passengers over the shoulders of those in front, rather than directly behind.

The Terra is purely a concept car, but it signals that Nissan is ready to mass-produce fuel cell electric vehicles whenever hydrogen becomes widely available.