In 2002, an all-new second generation Nissan Cube was introduced in the Japanese market.  More spacious inside, more glass outside, with more power and, more importantly, a few more angles and curved surface details added to its compact, slab-sided exterior. Quintessentially Japanese, this new Cube took Tokyo by storm.  A pocket-sized fun-and-function cocktail mixing the charm of Godzilla and the wit of Mothra, buyers were smitten.

The Nissan Cube soon found an audience outside of Japan – not in person, but through its exposure in fashion and automotive magazines, videos and on the Web.

Back to today, more than 10 years since its original appearance and the Nissan Cube is ready to go global next year in an all-new, dramatically rethought third generation design that is clever, quirky, witty, fun and uniquely functional.  And still totally square. 

More than just unique geometry, however, the new 2009 Nissan Cube is also conceived as a totally different take on an automobile – a car that doesn’t want to be defined as car.  “Combining unique design with true spaciousness and a warm personality, Cube will have a unique place on the market,” said Simon Thomas, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Nissan in Europe.  “Cube is a vehicle that people of all ages can fall in love with, even if they’re not normally interested in cars.”

Evocative yet rational
Though its uniquely styled, asymmetrical body makes a standout statement against the backdrop of today’s look-alike mainstream vehicles, Cube presents a range of strong rational arguments for purchase as well. 

“The new Nissan Cube will be bought by individuals who will see it as an extension of their personality and reflects their individuality,” said Thomas.  “Cube customers are not show-offs, but style-conscious and open-minded.”

A “bulldog in sunglasses”
The all-new 2009 Nissan Cube builds on the existing DNA characterised by its non-traditional design, with an improved stance and an added sense of dynamic movement.  With Cube’s long wheelbase relative to its overall length (a 2530mm wheelbase against a 3980mm overall length) and wide track, the wheels, in effect, are pushed out to each corner – providing exceptional space utilisation and a confident-looking stance that is described as a “bulldog in sunglasses.”

“The designers, engineers and planners’ effort and passion in creating the next generation Cube was unheard of – perhaps only exceeded in recent memory by that of the Nissan GT-R development team,” explains Pierre Loing, Nissan’s European Vice President for Product Planning.  “They were constantly drawing, cartooning, adding thoughts and ideas, which is how the image of the bulldog emerged and evolved.  This was not a traditional development process.”

Along with its stance, the “incognito canine” look is aided by the wide headlights and grille treatment, the small but substantial body proportions and the short “tail” section.  In the rear, the bar-type taillights reinforce the wide, anchored feel.  The Cube’s creators also sought to maintain a sense of “pure design,” reducing the number of character lines to give simplicity and freshness to the styling.

Another unique aspect of the Cube’s exterior is the greenhouse.  The A-pillars are positioned far outward and relatively upright, giving a wider range of forward visibility.  The front door windows utilize a “photo frame” design patterned after a personal photo frame, while the asymmetrical wraparound side/rear window creates enhanced rear diagonal visibility for lane changes and reverse parking. 

“This ‘geometric circle shape in the square’ rear window is Cube’s signature,” said Loing. “Though there are D-pillars on both sides of the Cube, the visual effect of the narrower passenger-side pillar is quite remarkable in the overall appearance, a look aided by the asymmetrical back door.”

Unlike typical top-hinged or clamshell-style utility rear doors, Cube features an easy-access refrigerator-style opening, which makes it possible to open or close it even if parked tight against other cars in parallel parking spaces or when backed in against a wall or other obstacle.

The 2009 Nissan Cube is available in several eye-catching colours, with evocative names like Witty Military, White Pearl, Sea Turquoise and Bitter Chocolate.

And that’s not all. Customers will be able to personalise their Cube, with designs available for the glass roof and also body stickers.

A “casual lounge” interior
“The centrepiece of the new Cube’s universal appeal is its surprisingly roomy interior that offers room for five in a lounge-like comfort.  It creates a highly changeable space – for interacting with friends.  It’s a space that is highly changeable and adaptable to owners’ evolving lives, with plenty of room for personalisation,” said Loing.

Cube’s clever, inspired and surprisingly open occupant space was conceived with a “Jacuzzi Curve” layout and “floating meter pod” driver’s area.  It combines “casual lounge”-style passenger seating with a relaxed driving experience.  The interactive interior is anchored by its curve-themed architecture, such as the subtle wavy shaping of the instrument panel, door panels, seat shapes, and the iconic “Water Drop” that can be seen in the cupholders and the climate control design. They are inspired by nature and the calming way that ripples move outward from a drop in water. 

The comfortable Cube seating includes individual driver’s and passenger seats, along with a “lounge sofa” style sliding rear bench seat.

The sliding rear seat can be adjusted to three positions and is positioned higher than the front seats, theatre style, enhancing rear passenger comfort and visibility.

“The new Cube’s interior leaves room for imagination and personalisation, yet also starts with a solid functional purpose,” explained Loing.

Stress-free driving, room for personalization
Cube’s stress-free driving experience is the result of a number of factors: a tall seating position made possible by the tall body height and an extremely short hood “invisible length” (the area of the hood panel that the driver is unable to see). Additionally, Cube drivers will enjoy good rear visibility for parking and reversing thanks to the asymmetrical design of the body at the rear. The pillar-mounted side opening rear door, giving access to the trunk, is mounted on the driver’s side, giving a clear view of the far corner of the car, ideal for judging reversing manouevres.

The Cube’s interior also benefits from its large sunroof, giving a light and airy atmosphere. As well as the traditional blind to prevent heat build up on sunny days, there is a shoji shade, inspired by traditional Japanese shades made of rice paper which can be drawn across the sunroof, allowing light to enter but minimising heat build up!

Other interior features include the “floating pod” instrument panel with asymmetrical light blue and white gauges, which are designed to make it easier to distinguish between the speedometer and the tachometer.  The gauge needles “sweep” when the engine is started to add a sense of flair, while the gradation effect gives a natural ambience similar to the glow of the white moon and the blue earth. 

Convenient storage spaces and cup/bottle holders are abundant throughout the Cube interior. There are also detachable multi-hooks for holding bags or hats, which can be moved from place to place – including the instrument panel and rear doors. 

The “shelf expression” concept features two “shelves” located on top centre and passenger side of the instrument panel. The shelves can be personalized with accessory wood-like trim or shag carpeting. Cube’s “Magic Rubber Bands,” another clever Cube accessory item, are colourful rubber straps (red, yellow, orange or silver) that slip into cutouts on the door armrests to secure items such as maps, nametags, photos, towels or small stuffed animals.

“The interior concept is really about the Cube conforming to the users’ needs, rather than the other way around – you can put your favourite items anywhere you want, not where the vehicle tells you to,” said Loing.  “The designers intended every aspect of the Cube interior be delightful as well as functional.”

The Cube interior is offered in two colour environments, Black and Beige.  Both trims come with a quilted suede-like fabric with special “natural wave” stitching designed to provide a combination of relaxation and genuine “driving enjoyment” attitude.

Petrol and diesel engines for Europe
In Europe, the Cube will be offered with a double engine offer, with both a 106PS DPF-equipped 1.5-litre diesel and a 1.6-litre petrol, producing 110PS. While the diesel engine will be available with a six-speed manual gearbox, the petrol will be offered with five-speed manual and CVT options.

Smart simplicity
“Distinctive, enjoyable and adaptable, the Nissan Cube will offer an unmatched sense of ‘smart simplicity’.  It builds on a Cube DNA of individuality and non-automotive style, and adds an enhanced level of humanistic charm and clever design,” said Loing.  “We know there will be a community of car-buyers in Europe who will really identify with Cube and will fall for its practicality, as well as its personality.”

Cube will appeal to customers who perhaps aren’t passionate about cars, but are passionate about being individuals. Cube isn’t a fashion statement, it’s a mission statement: I’m serious about enjoying my life.

Deliveries Cube will begin 2010, offering car buyers something unique, distinctive, friendly and fun – a car as a true extension of its owners’ personality.

It might look like something out of hit sci-fi films Blade Runner or Minority Report but the Nissan Land Glider that we told you about last week (see article) is more than just a pretty design concept – and here’s the footage to prove it.

Part car, part motorcycle the car borrows the ‘lean’ that helps a motorcycle corner but on a four wheel footprint with comfortabe room for two. As the footage shows the lean allows the car to corner tightly, it also shows the car travelling at 30mph plus again showing the potential of the car. It could prove to be an effective solution to congestion in the urban environment.

The Land Glider also features an innovative collison detection based on fish! The engineers have fitted the car with a car-robotics style crash avoidance system with sensors mounted on the body detect other vehicles in the same way fish swim in schools without colliding.

Let us know your thoughts below.

The Canadian province of British Columbia is set to play host to the Nissan Leaf after Renault–Nissan Alliance and hydro-electric company, BC Hydro announced a partnership with the province’s government to help launch Nissan’s Canadian zero-emission transportation program.

British Columbia is scheduled to be the first Canadian province to receive the Nissan LEAF, Nissan’s first all-electric real-world car, in 2011, in advance of global distribution in 2012.

“Agreements like this one with the Renault–Nissan Alliance are an important step in making climate-friendly transportation a lifestyle choice for all British Columbians,” said Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Province of British Columbia. “Electric vehicles, fuelled by clean, renewable energy resources, will help us achieve a low carbon transportation future.”

The partnership brings together representatives from each organisation to identify opportunities to promote the use of zero-emission vehicles in the British Columbian city of Vancouver and to establish a charging infrastructure.

“Today is an exciting day for Nissan Canada as we announce an important step in making electric vehicles a reality in the Canadian market,” said Mark Grimm, President of Nissan Canada Inc. “We have the technology for zero-emission mobility without compromise and working with important partners like those signing this agreement is a critical step in this evolution.”

“Moving towards a zero-emission mobility program gets Vancouver closer to our goal of becoming the world’s greenest city,” said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson. “We’ve moved very aggressively to bring in electric vehicle charging infrastructure regulations for Vancouver that is a first for North America. The City will need electric vehicles to charge on that new infrastructure. We are very pleased to be the first Canadian municipal partner of Nissan, a global leader in electric-vehicle technologies.”

The  partnership is also to make an application to the Canadian government’s Clean Energy Fund for a charging infrastructure pilot program.

“We continue to work with industry and government partners to ensure British Columbia is ready for the introduction of electric vehicles,” said Bob Elton, President and CEO of BC Hydro. “We are building a conservation culture in B.C. which includes not only the efficient use of electricity but also the protection of air quality.”

British Columbia now joins a growing network of zero-emission vehicle initiatives with the Renault-Nissan Alliance already forming partnerships with 30 governments, cities and other organisations across the world, to advance the deployment of electric vehicles on a global scale.

The Lexus LF-Ch full hybrid concept made its world debut at the Frankfurt motor show,  and marked Lexus’s first approach to the competitive European premium compact segment.

As demand for cars that are smaller and more fuel and CO₂ efficient, the compact segment is expected to claim the largest share of the European premium car market.

The LF-Ch concept features full hybrid technology, take a look at the video below:

Allied to a wide track, long wheelbase and low centre of gravity, the LF-Ch’s full hybrid powertrain is engineered to deliver all the performance customers expect from a premium compact hatchback, while at the same time returning low fuel consumption, CO₂ and NOx emissions.

With the benefit of the full hybrid technology of Lexus Hybrid drive, the car can be driven in a fully electric EV mode, a power option that is not available to drivers of mild hybrids. This allows for urban driving with minimal noise and zero emissions.

Following the announcement by Japanese motor company, Nissan of their new LEAF electric vehicle, the company has also released interesting footage of the LEAF in motion, and we’ve brought you that here on TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk

Although the video contains no sound, so we can’t comment on just how quiet the electric vehicle is, there are a number of interesting features which are shown.

Perhaps most interesting of all is what appears to be an in-built satellite navigation system which also works out the distance the car can run on its current charge by creating a sphere on the screen.

The car also features ‘normal charge’ and ‘quick charge’ functionality, with a simple three-LED dash display on the amount of charge remaining in the battery.

The footage also confirms that the car drives in exactly the same way as a conventional car, minus the gear lever.

Well worth the five minutes to watch, let us know your thoughts on the video below.

With UK order books now open for the new Lexus luxury hybrid ahead of deliveries in July, we got our hands on some video footage of the Lexus RX 450h on the road.

With CO2 emissons of 148g/km the luxury SUV sets the bar surprisingly high when it comes to this premium sector of the automotive industry – as a comparison the Porsche Cayenne starts at 244g/km of CO2, the BMW X5 at 214g/km, and the Audi Q5 175g/km – impressive stuff.

The hybrid technology used in the new SUV is Lexus’ second generation hybrid drive with the car capable of running solely from the electric motors present, also deployed on the car is a start/stop system when at rest to further conserve fuel. Under braking, the engine switches off and both electric motors act as generators, driven by all four wheels. This regenerative braking system optimises energy management in the Lexus Hybrid Drive system by recovering kinetic energy (that would normally be lost as heat) as electrical energy for storage in the high performance battery.

Prices start at £41,600 on the road.

Let us know your thoughts about the new Lexus RX 450h below

“Recharging Transportation” offers viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the innovative California-based startup, Aptera Motors.  Entrepreneurs Steve Fambro and Chris Anthony set out with a clean sheet of paper to design the most efficient alternative energy vehicle possible – And the result is the Aptera 2e, an electric vehicle capable of travelling over 161 kilometres on a single charge.  Aptera Motors, and other new energy startups like it, are answering the energy challenges today and helping to provide clean technology jobs to the next generation of autoworkers.

“Tomorrow’s Transportation” is a short teaser video that features alternative energy automobiles from Aptera (www.aptera.com), Tesla (www.teslamotors.com), and the West Philly EVX Team (www.evxteam.org).  The video illustrates that the next generation of alternative energy vehicles are already taking to the streets and providing new jobs for clean technology autoworkers.

For more information visit these excellent resources:

www.america.gov
www.youtube.com/americagov
www.aptera.com

ClearTec is a suite of cutting-edge technologies that save you money and reduce your vehicle’s impact on the environment. ClearTec versions of the new Mitsubishi Colt combine numerous small modifications, all of which add up to cut fuel consumption and CO2 emissions significantly. Increasing the engine’s compression ratio, using low-viscosity engine oil, modifying gear ratios and employing special low-resistance tyres are only the beginning. ClearTec also includes special high efficiency alternators that capture braking energy to charge the battery, and an Automatic Stop & Go (AS&G) function, which automatically stops the engine when you come to a stop, select neutral and release the clutch pedal. The engine then starts again as soon as the clutch pedal is depressed.

Not only is all this technology good for the environment, but its also designed to save you money. Lower fuel bills and road tax for just £35 a year shows the real benefits of driving an efficient car like the Colt ClearTec.

The new Lexus RX 450h follows on from the 2005 launch of the ground-breaking RX 400h to introduce second-generation Lexus Hybrid Drive technology.

• Lowest CO₂ emissions of any premium crossover — 148g/km
• Improved Lexus Hybrid Drive with 10 per cent increase in power, 28 per cent improvement in fuel economy to 44.8mpg (combined cycle)
• All-new double wishbone rear suspension
• Advanced Crossover Cockpit interior with Remote Touch control and Head-up Display
• Class-leading active and passive safety
• On sale summer 2009, prices and specifications to be announced

In the RX 450h, Lexus marked the first successful dovetailing of high performance with the hybrid benefits of fuel economy and low emissions, revolutionising powertrain technology in the premium segment. The system has undergone significant development in the RX 450h.

Click here for full details on the Lexus RX-450h hybrid

Unlike mild hybrids, which use supplementary electric motor power simply to boost the performance of the petrol engine, the RX 450h is a full hybrid, capable of operation in both petrol and electric modes alone, or in a combination of both. It delivers the energy-saving benefits of a series hybrid and the acceleration performance of a parallel hybrid system.

New from embattled US carmaker General Motors and revealed at the Geneva Motor Show is the startling glimpse into the future for the manufacturer with news of the Vauxhall/Opel Ampera. Regular readers on TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk will know that this is effectively the much-hailed GM Volt re-badged and tweaked for the European market.

Confirmed for a 2012 release in the UK the stunning new Vauxhall Ampera is an all-new electric powered family saloon with an extended driving range of over 300 miles.

Utilising General Motors brand new Voltec electric propulsion system, the Ampera is powered at all times by electricity and for trips up to 40miles the power is supplied by its lithium-ion battery, beyond this range the car’s petrol engine is used to generate further electricity for the car extending the range of the vehicle to beyond 300 miles. The battery can be re-charged via a standard household 240V outlet.

Taking obvious design cues from the new Insignia the vehicle is an evolution of the Flextreme and GTC concepts shown in previous years.

“The Vauxhall Ampera shows all the opportunities advanced propulsion technologies offer for car design,” said Phil Zak, Director, Exterior Design at GM Europe. “We had to maximise the aerodynamic efficiency but still offer ultimate everyday driving comfort. All of that is presented in an upscale, sporty look that builds on Vauxhall’s theme of sculptural forms and expressive lines.”

Engineers at General Motors have also taken particular attention to the cars drag, realising the important role of aerodynamics in enhancing the range of the vehicle. Furthermore, lightweight materials have been utilising where possible to reduce weight.

The Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) has a top speed of 100mph, with 0-60mph acceleration of around nine seconds.

GM Europe is also in discussions with several energy companies about introducing a recharging infrastructure including Iberdrola, the parent company of Scottish Power.

Positive news from Vauxhall, let us know what you think of the Ampera below; would you buy one?