Nissan Reveals More Details on BladeGlider Concept

NissanNissanJapan, 1932 > present159 models
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is revealing more details about its BladeGlider concept that is on display at the Tokyo Motor Show.

It seems incredibly unlikely that the BladeGlider will ever make production with its narrow front and wide rear inspired by the DeltawingNissan DeltaWingJapan, 2012 > present19 photos
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and ZEOD RC racecars.

“The concept has proved itself on the race track running as fast as the overall contenders. And I'm sure the BladeGlider will meet with the same initial skepticism, but we know, after extensive testing on the racetrack with race drivers behind the wheel, the Nissan BladeGlider has the potential to be the best handling production car in the world,” said Ben Bowlby, the designer of those racecars.

The advantage of the layout of the BladeGlider is that it puts most of the weight over the rear end to improve acceleration. Seventy percent of the weight is over the rear wheels. The narrow front end also keeps drag down to improve efficiency. In theory the narrow front tires also improve handling because the little weight over them provide little opportunity for understeer. There is also less lateral weight transition because of the narrow front

The concept uses an electric motor in each rear wheel that provide independent power. It also helps handling because one wheel can brake while the other powers through a corner to tighten the turning circle.

The problem with having cars like this on the road rather than on the racetrack is that drivers can not really know where the corners of the car are, at least not as well as a conventional car. It would probably work on a winding road but would be a handful in a tight city.

Another potential problem is braking the small, narrow front wheels mean that more of the braking is down with the rear, which is unlike nearly any car ever made. During straight-line braking, the BladeGlider would remain stable because of the wide rear, but braking during cornering would shift even more weight off the front wheels, where there is already relatively little.

The future of the BladeGlider is certainly in question as a production vehicle, but it is intriguing as a concept. Nissan is showing that it is capable of questioning the status quo and trying new design ideas in cars.