Tokyo 2009 Preview: Nissan unveils Land Glider concept [w/VIDEO]
Nissan Land Glider Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Nissan is pulling out all the zero emission stops at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. In addition to the expected Leaf electric vehicle, the Japanese automaker will also be showing off a new concept called the Land Glider. Intended to be an urban runabout, the two-seat Land Glider is fully electric and is extremely narrow to ease congestion in dense city centers and make it easier to find suitable parking spots.
Inside the cockpit, the Land Glider's pilot sits front and center behind a suitably futuristic instrument cluster and a steering wheel that looks like twin joysticks. According to Nissan, the steering operations are computer controlled through a drive-by-wire arrangement, so there doesn't seem to be a direct connection between the steering wheel and the car's four contact patches.
Perhaps the most interesting bit Nissan is pioneering in the Land Glider is the ability to lean into turns like a motorcycle. While this isn't an entirely new concept, it's a first for Nissan and the technology seems to be very well implemented in the Land Glider, as can be seen in the video pasted after the break.
Gallery: Nissan Land Glider Concept
[Source: Nissan]
PRESS RELEASE:
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NISSAN EXHIBIT AT THE 2009 TOKYO MOTOR SHOW
YOKOHAMA (October 8, 2009) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, will present various show cars at the upcoming 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, including 'Leaf', an electric vehicle (EV) which is slated for global launch and volume production in late 2010, 'Land Glider', an EV concept car, and 'Qazana', which is an entirely new type of compact sport crossover, which made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2009. Nissan will also showcase the new mini MPV "Roox", to be launched later this year.
Nissan's ultimate goal in the environmental field is zero-emission. With its aim to be a leader in this field, the Nissan exhibits will focus on concept cars including 'Leaf' and on the development of related technologies and battery-charging infrastructure, in an effort to communicate the company's commitment to consumers.
Nissan is also continuing to work on the internal combustion engine (ICE) technology, for the development of environment-friendly technology to improve fuel economy and reduce gas emission. In addition to EV, the Nissan exhibit will feature a wide range of models and technologies such as hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), clean diesel technology and next-generation X-TRONIC CVT.
Leaf
Overview of major concept cars and technologies to be exhibited are as follows.
Leaf
The world's first EV designed for large-scale volume production
* High-performance, zero-emission power train and platform take the 'joy of driving' to another dimension.
* A design that evokes a clean and intelligent image and a body that achieves optimal aerodynamics and wind noise characteristics are packaged into this innovative and original five-passenger, five-door hatchback.
* Has a range of more than 160km (100 miles) on one full charge, which is sufficient for most daily needs.
* Features an advanced IT system that is specially designed for zero-emission mobility. Navigation screen supports the driver by displaying range autonomy areas and battery-charging spots with a touch of a button.
Land Glider
A new proposal for urban mobility that can be enabled by zero-emission car
* The Land Glider has a potential to become a new means of transportation in urban areas; its linear acceleration and the narrow body, which only an ultra-compact, ultra-lightweight EV can achieve, will help reduce traffic congestion and promote effective use of parking space.
* Shift of the centre of gravity by leaning provides a new, exciting sense of driving and a powerful, crisp ride.
Qazana
A whole new five-door compact sport crossover with innovative design
* Exterior and interior design inspired by images of beach buggies and motorcycles.
* Distinctive exterior features a large wheel arch that emphasises power and stability, high belt lines and a sporty upper body.
* The interior features a centre console that looks just like a fuel tank and seat of a motorcycle and a design that exposes the body framework.
* Combines sporty driving and environmental performance.
Roox
A super-spacious mini-sized vehicle that features a large interior space and dynamic design
* A comfortable interior space (interior height: 1365mm, interior length: 2085mm), one the largest for mini-sized vehicles, allows flexible seat arrangement.
* The sporty and sophisticated 'Highway Star' design exudes a strong presence that changes the image of mini-sized vehicles.
* To maximise the ease of getting in and out, a slide door (opening width: 580mm, opening height: 1230mm), which can be remotely controlled, and a rear step with low ground height are featured on both sides of the car.
NV200 Vanette Universal Design Taxi
A next generation Universal Design Taxi that pursues comfortable mobility for all customers
* Exterior design is readily identifiable as a taxi and also stylish.
* Will be officially introduced as the Universal Design Taxi by the end of 2010.
Next-generation continuously variable transmission (CVT)
The next-generation XTRONIC CVT is compact, lightweight and low-friction, and features an original structure
* Has achieved a world-best change gear ratio range of 7.3, which is more than 20% better compared to conventional CVT of the same class.
* Nissan's original, breakthrough design, which combines subtransmission, has succeeded in reducing total transmission length by 10% and weight by 13%.
* Unit efficiency has been improved by reducing friction by 30% through reduction of oil agitation resistance and others.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Guy 3:32PM (10/07/2009)
Smells a bit like Michelin ?
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KK 3:36PM (10/07/2009)
I love it. I think the tilt mechanism is a good way to minimize the width of the vehicle (and thus minimize air resistance) without sacrificing stability, and without making it ridiculously low to the ground.
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dieqast 3:41PM (10/07/2009)
'Perhaps the most interesting bit Nissan is pioneering in the Land Glider is the ability to lean into turns like a motorcycle. While this isn't an entirely new concept..'
Very true, Carver has the patent for a three-wheeled leaning vehicle since the late 90's. Four wheels is new though. But ehm...
'Shift of the centre of gravity by leaning provides a [b]new[/b], exciting sense of driving and a powerful, crisp ride.'
...doesn't really apply.
Fun as a concept, but not practical enough for mainstream IMO, compared to the likes of the iQ.
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KK 4:30PM (10/07/2009)
Good handling is always an important selling point, and also contributes to safety. A leaning vehicle can make tighter turns without the risk of rollover.
Yanquetino 3:53PM (10/07/2009)
It's pretty cool, no question, and might prove useful... someday. IMHO, however, for the immediate future, the time, effort, and money spent on such wild-and-crazy concept vehicles could be better spent to expand Nissan's LEAF introduction to areas of the country where EV advocates are willing to forego public charging stations and simply recharge at home. IMHO.
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Boyprodigy1 9:44PM (10/07/2009)
I agree that i would like to see the leaf at my dealer too. But in a way these are connected because this is an electric vehicle.
I am just glad that they are putting in the research for these (and showing up toyota every day).
mycomya 3:56PM (10/07/2009)
Flawless. What a winner! It looks like a blast to drive.
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Buzz 6:21PM (10/07/2009)
Hell yes!
Just when I thought I was geeky enough, the bar is raised.
Looks fun.
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kcmurphy88 7:20PM (10/07/2009)
It would have to lean into the turns -- the narrow width would make it unstable on turns otherwise.
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Chris M 9:24PM (10/07/2009)
The Commuter Cars "Tango" is a narrow tandem seat 4 wheel design that achieves good stability by placing its heavy battery pack as low as possible, achieving a low center of gravity.
But his design also has the battery placed low and has a low center of gravity, and adding tilt capability adds even more stability than the Tango can achieve.
cWj 8:25AM (10/08/2009)
"Perhaps the most interesting bit Nissan is pioneering in the Land Glider is the ability to lean into turns like a motorcycle."
3n1gma 7:30PM (10/07/2009)
Why do hybrids have to look so futuristic and ugly? Can Nissan not make a normal-looking hybrid car or would that be too disruptive for the oil industry?
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KK 10:20PM (10/07/2009)
It's an electric car, not a hybrid.
As for appearance - the design of conventional cars is dictated by tradition and partly by the drivetrain arrangement. The shape is not optimized for aerodynamics. If you design a car from scratch with emphasis on energy efficiency, it will look very unconventional, *and* it can be far more efficient.
Mark Kiernan 7:41PM (10/07/2009)
Cool, but such a pity it will never see the light of day.
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RAN 11:06PM (10/07/2009)
I said to build this vehicle and sell it near where I live :-p
Seriously, I'd buy this in a heartbeat. Get busy Nissan.
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Treehugger 12:59AM (10/08/2009)
This is the vehicle that I have been waiting for during the 5 past years, fun to drive, ultra fuel efficient, convenient, and giving a better mobility than a car. This is concept that has the potential to revolutionnize the futur of urban and peri-urban transportation.
A French company developped the same idea but with a different look
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Trebor 6:24AM (10/08/2009)
I totally want one.
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pmgpmg 2:48AM (10/08/2009)
The most intersting part of ths video is at the 5:50 mark where you can see the handlebar used to ride the car like an airplane instead of a steering wheel. Very cool!
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cWj 8:27AM (10/08/2009)
Room for a CNG 650 twin in there?
you know, for trips to Grammie's.
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Dan Frederiksen 2:21PM (10/08/2009)
I'm a big fan of these single seater concepts because they can be much more efficient and most driving is a single person per car anyway. therefore I really like this one too even though I don't believe in the tilting principle and the complexity and cost of it will unfortunately probably work against this car being manufactured.
if you look at it from the front as it turns you can tell that the center of gravity is not substantially shifted so it's wasted anyway. and even if it would benefit the center of gravity it wouldn't work because like a motorcycle it's too slow to react in emergency maneuver.
they should just make it fixed but make it.
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