Nissan Denki Cube Concept (2008)

Nissan Denki Cube Concept

In creating the Nissan Denki Cube Concept, the designers started with a well-defined canvas, the current-generation Nissan Cube. The iconic Cube has always been the antithesis of traditional automotive style - square, minimalist, asymmetrical and humble - yet also warm, relaxing, practical and undeniably charming. To this solid foundation, the Nissan Denki Cube adds a new EV powertrain and unique exterior and interior treatments.

The Nissan Denki Cube Concept's exterior features fresh front and rear styling treatments, including a new "electric themed" front grille design with an AC power charging port, a radical "lightning" headlight design and new bumpers and turn signal lamps. In the rear, the signature Cube asymmetrical rear quarter area (with wraparound glass on one side) has been enhanced by a new bumper with hidden taillights. The roof sheet metal has been replaced with a full fixed glass panel that enhances the interior's sense of wide-open space. The Nissan Denki Cube Concept exterior also features new door mirrors and unique 16-inch wheel covers. The finishing touch is provided by a special white pearl paint and graphics.

Inside, the Nissan Denki Cube Concept reflects the designers' intention of creating a relaxing, moving social hub, like a favorite room in an owner's house. Though the production Cube offers three rows of seating, the Nissan Denki Cube Concept offers only two rows and the wheelbase has been stretched 9.4 inches in order to better accommodate the lithium-ion battery cells. The newly designed front and second row seats are joined by a revised instrument panel with an IP-mounted shift button, a special steering wheel design and new door panel and cargo area trim.

The biggest transformation from production Cube to Nissan Denki Cube Concept is one that isn't visible - the replacement of the standard 1.3-liter inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine 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, versus conventional cylindrical batteries.

Nissan's compact lithium-ion battery technology, one of the company's traditional strengths, provides batteries with twice as much energy compared with a conventional cylindrical battery of the same type and safer operation due to the use of chemically stable spine-structured manganese for the electrode material. In order to better leverage Nissan's lithium-ion battery capabilities, a new company, Automotive Energy Supply Corp. (AESC), was jointly established with NEC Corp. and NEC Tokin Corp. - 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."