Nissan presented a number of cars at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. Together with its emphasis on zero emission, Carlos Ghosn and his team presented cars like the “Leaf”, a pure electric vehicle that’s powered only by electricity, “Land Glider,” an EV concept car in which Mr.Ghosn made his appearance in, and the “Qazana” – an entirely new type of compact sport crossover.
Nissan also showcased the new “Fuga” – a top-of-the-line sedan and a new mini MPV “Roox” – both will be officially launched later this year. Also on display was the 370Z Convertible and the updated GT-R. The two sporting heavyweight’s may have received the bulk of the attention but it’s the eco-cars that were at the center of Nissan’s message to the world – Zero Emission. With that message in mind, we explore the vehicles that have been designed to deliver Nissan’s message.
Leaf
The Nissan Leaf is the world’s first Electric Vehicle designed for large-scale volume production. It’s purely powered by electricity and features a high-performance, zero-emissions power train and platform that literally take the “joy of driving” to another dimension. On full charge, the Leaf is able to travel for more than 160km, which is sufficient for daily driving needs.
The Leaf take eight-hours for a full charge through a 200V outlet. A quick charger is also available and will be available in places like shopping malls – a 10-minute charge will allow you to drive an additional 50km, or you can drive 100km with a 20-minute boost charge.
The Leaf also features an advanced IT system that is specially designed for zero-emission mobility. The navigation screen supports the driver by displaying range autonomy areas and battery-charging spots. Connected to a global data center, Leaf will regularly update information on charging stations. Even when you are away from the car, you will be able to turn on air-conditioning, start charging the battery and check its status with a mobile phone via the internet.
Land Glider
The Land Glider is Nissan’s vision of the future of urban mobility. Its narrow body and ultra-compact packaging is ideal for maneuvering through traffic, it makes parking simple and makes city commuting a pleasure. Able to seat two occupants, the Land Glider features a steer-by-wire and lean capability when cornering that enables the vehicle and its tires to lean by up to 17 degrees. All the driver must do is turn and the cabin will lean accordingly. By enabling the car to lean, designers have succeeded in minimizing vehicle width and tire tread width, thus achieving a sleek, futuristic look.
Drive comes from two electric motors in the rear that are powered by lithium-ion batteries mounted beneath the floor. The car also features a non-contact charging system that can be charged cable-less at locations where the infrastructure exists. And to ensure maximum safety, engineers have fitted a car-robotics style crash avoidance system in which sensors detect other vehicles in the same way as fish swim in schools without colliding.
Whilst Land Glider is a concept car created for the Tokyo Motor Show, it should not be regarded as a mere design study. This leaning machine gives a clear direction to how a future small car from Nissan could look in congested cities…a clue of what Nissan means by new era of mobility.
New Fuga
The new first-generation Nissan Fuga is the new top-of-the-line sedan due to be launched later this year. Its bold and dynamic lines coupled with strong performance redefines the traditional Nissan luxury car.
At the heart of the new Nissan Fuga are new technological advances like powerful but eco-friendly performance. Customers may choose from either a 3.7-liter V6 powerplant or a 2.5-liter V6. Other technological advancements include a Lane Departure Prevention system, intelligent cruise control, but there are two technologies that are a world-first.
Based on sat-nav map information indicating a curve approaching, the system assists deceleration by deploying a movable accelerator pedal and activating the brakes in a system called `Intelligent Pedal (Navigation-Cooperative).’ Cornering Stability Assist’ applies the VDC System to control vehicle movement for safe and smooth cornering. Along with advanced active four-wheel steering, these technologies support the driver to ensure a comfortable driving.
Fitted as equipment that supports eco-driving, the Fuga employs a world-first `ECO-pedal’. When the eco-pedal system is on, each time the driver steps on the accelerator, a counter push-back control mechanism is activated if the system detects overly zealous throttle work, helping to inform the driver that they could be using more fuel than required. An eco-driving indicator integrated into the instrument panel feeds the driver with real-time fuel consumption levels to help improve their driving behavior.
The design of the car together with a spacious, elegant interior and with the availability of a hybrid model ensures that the Fuga will be a class leader. It’s also one of those cars that Nissan should consider offering to Malaysians.
Qazana
The Qazana is a showcar, a study into how a small car of the future could look. But with the announcement that a small crossover – a baby brother to the Qashqai – will be built at the company’s Sunderland factory in the UK, its significance should not be underestimated.
The Qazana is also the car car that has been assigned to refresh the look of the modern car which has been dull for too long. Essentially a Crossover, the Qazana’s styling features sets it apart from other SUV’s or Crossover. With four headlights and massive arches it’s set to bring a revolutinary fresh design to the modern car.
The interior is purely conceptional though. It features a center console that looks just like a fuel tank and seat of a motorcycle and a design that exposes the body framework. This will never make it to production, if the Qazana makes it to production at all, but one thing is for sure though, the Qazana combines sporty driving and environmental performance.
