Nissan's Tokyo Debuts Include Radical BladeGlider Concept

NissanNissanJapan, 1932 > present159 models
6957 photos
12 videos
has revealed its vehicle lineup for the Tokyo Motor Show, and as promised it includes two new performance cars from the brand. The Nismo GT-RNissan GT-R NismoJapan, 2013 > present will be at the show, but Nissan is remaining quiet about it for now. Its other new performance car is not the next Z-carNissan Fairlady ZJapan, 1969 > 20076 series
12 versions
23 photos
as expected but the BladeGlider concept, a radical, electric sports car inspired by the DeltawingNissan DeltaWingJapan, 2012 > present19 photos
3 videos
and ZEOD RC racecars.

Nissan says that the BladeGlider “is both a proposal for the future direction of Nissan electric vehicle development and an exploratory prototype of an upcoming production vehicle,” which means the basic concept of this car is coming to the streets eventually.

The front is just a meter wide

© photo courtesy of: Nissan

The first thing that you notice when you look at the concept is its triangular shape. The front of the car is just a meter wide. Even the passengers sit in triangular fashion with the single driver seat in front and two passenger seats behind. It makes the frontend quite light and gives the car a 30:70 front-rear weight bias. The chassis is a carbon fiber monocoque with carbon fiber reinforced plastic body panels.

"The goal was to revolutionize the architecture of the vehicle to provoke new emotions, provide new value and make visible for consumers how Zero Emissions can help redefine our conception of vehicle basics," said project leader Francois Bancon.

Nissan says the production version may be its first use of in-wheel electric motors in a production car. The motors would drive the rear wheels independently and act with the traction control system like a limited-slip differential. The batteries are identical to the ones from the Leaf and mounted low at the rear.

The interior is inspired by a glider and has a canopy that wraps all the way around for clear vision. The top of the canopy is removable to allow for open-air driving.

Nissan’s other vehicle debuts in Tokyo are not quite as exciting. It is bringing a new minicar meant only for Japan called the DAYZ ROOX, which is a box of wheels meant for Japan’s large cities. It will go on sale in 2014.

It is also showing the third generation TeanaNissan TeanaJapan, 2003 > 20082 series
7 versions
5 photos
sedan. It is Nissan’s large sedan for Asia that will go on sale in the spring of 2014.

It will also show the recently revealed X-TrailNissan X-TrailJapan, 2001 > present3 series
74 versions
91 photos
and refreshed SerenaNissan SerenaJapan, 1991 > 20053 series
3 versions
minivan. The Elgrand minivan also gets an exterior refresh.

The NoteNissan Note 2Japan, 2012 > present24 versions
37 photos
will be upgraded with new safety equipment including emergency braking and lane departure warning

The show begins on November 20.