Nissan Denki Cube Concept. Click image to enlarge |
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Nissan Denki Cube Concept
New York, New York - Nissan has presented the world debut of the Nissan Denki Cube Concept at the New York International Auto Show. The Denki (Japanese for "electric") uses a lithium-ion battery for its electric power, and serves as a preview of Nissan's future small-car strategy for North America, including plans to sell a redesigned gasoline-powered, next-generation Cube in Canada and the U.S. in 2009.
"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," said Al Castignetti, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Nissan North America Inc. "Like the production Cube on which it is based, the Denki Cube Concept is boxy yet charming, fashionable and functional, and completely tuned in to today's needs for enjoyable efficiency."
The Denki Cube Concept's exterior features include an "electric themed" front grille design with AC power charging port, "lightning" headlight design, and full fixed glass panel roof. The Concept offers two rows of seating, unlike the production Cube which offers three, and has a longer wheelbase to accommodate the battery cells.
The production Cube's standard 1.3-litre inline four-cylinder gasoline engine has been replaced with an electric motor and laminated lithium-ion batteries located under the floor and seats. The laminated structure and unique material technology offer more power, energy and battery stability, as well as compact size and packaging flexibility, when compared to conventional cylindrical batteries.
In order to better leverage Nissan's lithium-ion battery capabilities, a new company, Automotive Energy Supply Corporation, was jointly established with NEC Corporation and NEC Tokin Corporation, with the goal of dramatically enhancing future battery performance and reducing battery costs. "Nissan first had an electric vehicle in the road in 1947 and has been field-testing lithium-ion batteries for more than ten years," said Castignetti. "Our ongoing goal is to dramatically enhance future battery performance while reducing battery costs."
