Nissan Cube to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show

October 12, 2002 - Nissan Motor Co. has announced the domestic Japanese launch of the new generation Cube, which will be displayed at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show (Commercial Vehicles). The first-generation model, released in 1998 created a new ‘tall wagon’ genre in the small car market and recorded sales of approximately 400,000 units.

Developed around the product concept of a “magical box,” the second-generation Cube provides interior spaciousness and convenient storage features which enable the car to serve as the driver’s personal ‘toolbox.’

The exterior design of the Cube was executed with the aim of creating a “new cubic design,” and draws on themes proposed in the Nissan Chappo concept first shown at the 2001 Geneva Motor Show. The goal was to create the best box form among the next generation of roomy compact cars in this class.

The design team’s four key themes of “naughty, relaxing, compact and agile” are embodied in the design. They sought a design with clear originality, functionality that provides “joy of use, and loyalty-inspiring appeal”.

The exterior has been rendered in a novel box form that projects a compact, agile image, achieved through the application of two principal design motifs. One is the ‘laterally asymmetrical design’ at the rear, which serves both symbolic and functional purposes. The other is the concept of ‘a square with rounded corners’ that conveys a sense of unity and a feeling of warmth. In addition, care was taken to achieve a distinct car-like stance that fosters feelings of lasting attachment.

The interior design exudes a sensation of relaxing in one’s own room, sitting on a comfortable sofa and surrounded by favorite pieces of furniture and audio equipment. Three types of interior color coordination schemes are offered, which have been created around the theme of relaxation.

The Cube has one of the shortest overall lengths and smallest minimum turning radii (4.4 m) of any vehicle in its class. The wheelbase is 70 mm longer than that of the previous model, with an overall length 20 mm shorter at 3,730 mm. The front and rear overhangs have also been shortened.

The long and wide roof gives occupants generous headroom and shoulder room with a feeling of openness. In the front seat, headroom measures 366 mm on the side and 670 mm to the front. Shoulder room in the front and rear seats measures 1,363 mm and 1,329 mm, respectively.

The height of the hip point from the ground is set at 625 mm to allow excellent forward visibility combined with ease of ingress/egress. In addition, the driver’s seat incorporates a ratchet-type lifter that moves the cushion vertically as much as 40 mm, enabling users of various statures to enjoy the optimum driving position.

Both the front and rear seats have thick cushions and are shaped to provide support up to an occupant’s shoulders, combining superior comfort with excellent body-holding capability. The adoption of large armrests also allows occupants to sit more comfortably for an enhanced sense of relaxation.

The rear seat slides fore and aft up to 220 mm, creating maximum knee room of 602 mm for comfortable roominess comparable to that of the Cima luxury sedan.

A sideways-opening back door has been adopted that opens and closes effortlessly even in tight places. An opening width of 1,122 mm and a luggage area width of 1,010 mm make it easy to load and unload large items from the luggage compartment. The slide mechanism of the rear seat operates with just one hand to expand the luggage space up to a maximum VDA capacity of 460L.

Another convenience feature is the Intelligent Key system that enables users to lock/unlock the doors and to start/stop the engine simply by carrying the key fob with them.

Powering the Cube is a 1.4-liter engine teamed with the newly developed XTRONIC CVT-M6 continuously variable transmission, incorporating a 6-speed manual shift mode. Steering wheel-mounted switches enable the driver to upshift or downshift easily with one thumb.

The Cube features Nissan’s compact, lightweight e-4WD system that has been engineered around a front-wheel-drive configuration and uses an electric motor to drive the rear wheels only when 4WD capability is needed. Because the rear wheels are driven by a rear-mounted motor, the e-4WD system does not need a propeller shaft or transfer unit. As a result, this system achieves 4WD capability without sacrificing interior space, and the reduced friction level contributes to improved fuel economy.