Nissan Denki Cube concept

By Liz Turner

Motor Shows

20 March 2008 16:24

Nissan's cute Cube will go on sale in the US in 2009 and a production version will be unveiled at the next LA Auto Show, Nissan announced in New York. This will be a petrol Cube: an electric Cube, based on the Denki concept unveiled in NY will follow.

'Denki' is Japanese for electric and the concept is the current Cube with a new EV powertrain, with various trim tweaks to remind you of the battery power. The exterior has an 'electric theme' while there's a new panoramic glass roof. To accomodate the lithium-ion batteries the production Cube's wheelbase has been stretched by 9.4 inches, and the third row of seats has been lost.

'The Denki Cube Concept is a fun way to expose American buyers to one of Nissan’s most popular home market cars at a time when fuel economy and packaging efficiency are on a lot of people’s minds,' says Al Castignetti, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Nissan North America.

The Cube aims to steal young edgy buyers from Scion. Apparently it will go on sale at a price that will allow customers to have some money left for personalisation. Scion buyers spend an average of $2-3,000 on accessories. To illustrate the point, two Cubes had been customized by fashion and industrial design students from the local Pratt Institute.

Nissan also outlined its Green Program 2010 at New York, and this will include reducing CO2 emissions by seven percent at its factories by 2010, compared with 2005 levels. A hybrid vehicle will also be launched in 2010, along with a 'three-litre' car that can run for 100km on three litres of fuel. That's 94.2mpg.

By Liz Turner