Nissan Cube

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Nissan Cube

Manufacturer	Nissan
Production	1998-present
Assembly	Oppama, Japan
Class	Mini MPV

The Nissan Cube is a mini MPV produced by Nissan and currently sold only in Japan, United States and Canada. It is scheduled for the European market in Q4 2009.

[edit] First generation

First generation

Production	1998-2002
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Nissan B platform
Engine(s)	1.3L I4
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic Continuously variable transmission
Related	Nissan Micra Nissan Sentra Nissan Sunny

The first generation of the Cube (designated Z10) was introduced in 1998. It shared the same platform as the Nissan Micra (known as the March in Japan and Southeast Asia), as well as the same 1.3 L engine. A CVT and four-wheel drive were optional. The Cube covered the gap in the Nissan lineup between the March and the Sunny. The first generation was only sold in Japan - the car wasn't sold outside of Japan until the third generation.

[edit] Second generation

Second generation

Production	2002-2008
Body style(s)	5-door hatchback
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive
Platform	Nissan B platform
Engine(s)	1.3L I4 1.5L I4
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic CVT
Wheelbase	92.9 in (2360 mm)
Length	146.9 in (3731 mm)
Width	63.4 in (1610 mm)
Height	64.0 in (1626 mm)
Related	Nissan Micra Nissan Tiida/Versa

The second generation of the Cube, released in 2002 with a more spacious interior than the previous model. A modern combination of angled and curved surfaces, was based on the third generation of the March, powered by a 1.4 L I4 engine. A CVT was optional once again, and was made available in a stretched wheelbase version with seven seats, called the Cube³. For 2005, both models were upgraded with the new HR-series 1.5 L engine from the Nissan Tiida, and are now available with the new "e4WD" system, which transfers power to the rear wheels when the front wheels spin.

[edit] Electric version

In 2008, Nissan revealed the Nissan Denki (Japanese for “electric”) Cube Concept. Making its debut at the March 2008 New York International Auto Show ^[1], the Denki Cube Concept is a lithium-ion battery-powered electric vehicle^[2]. Nissan’s compact lithium-ion battery technology, one of the company’s traditional strengths, provides batteries with twice as much energy compared with a conventional cylindrical battery of the same type.

The Denki Cube Concept also serves as a preview of Nissan’s future plans to sell a redesigned gasoline-powered, next-generation Cube at Nissan dealers in the United States and Canada beginning in 2009 (called Nissan EV). Prototypes have been test driven by journalists and reports published in spring 2009.[1][2].

[edit] Third generation

Third generation

Production	2008–present
Assembly	Oppama, Japan
Body style(s)	5-door hatchback
Platform	Nissan B platform
Engine(s)	1.5L I4, 1.6L I4, 1.8L I4, 1.5L I4 dCi
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual 6-speed manual CVT
Wheelbase	2,530 mm (99.6 in)
Length	2,530 mm (99.6 in)
Width	66.7 in (1695 mm)
Height	65.0 in (1650 mm)
Related	Nissan Tiida/ Versa

2009 Nissan Cube 1.8 (US)

The third generation Nissan Cube was revealed for the first time at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, on November 19, 2008. While this is the third generation of the vehicle, it is being offered for export markets, including Europe and North American market, for the first time. The Cube went on sale in Japan in November 2008 and the U.S. in May 2009.

The updated Nissan Cube features more rounded and curved styling cues than its predecessors. This evolution is most striking in the rear bumper area, in the asymmetrical rear window, which wraps around to the passenger side, and in the oval-shaped driver and front passenger windows. The rear hatch is hinged to open along its vertical axis, towards the curb. This helps loading and unloading when street parking in a crowded urban environment.

Seating capacity remains at five. According to Nissan designers, the interior is inspired by the enveloping curves of a jacuzzi to promote a comfortable and social atmosphere. Design cues include a water ripple motif that appears in the headliner and is repeated in details like the speaker covers and cup holders. Nissan has developed an extended line of accessories for Cube to encourage personalization. These include multicolor appliqués that can be placed around air vents and window switches, utility hooks and elastic bands in different colors, variable color LED accent lighting for the footwell and cup holders, and a sculptured piece of color-coordinated shag carpet that sits in a shallow well on the top of the dash.

The third generation Cube is built on the Renault Nissan Alliance's front-wheel-drive B platform and powered by a 1.5 L HR engine, 16-valve engine with 109 PS (80 kW; 108 bhp). For North America, it uses the 122 hp (91 kW; 124 PS) 1.8 L four-cylinder engine of the MR family, while for Europe it uses the HR 1.6 petrol and 1.5 dCi Diesel. All are also used for the Nissan Note and Tiida/Versa. Depending on the engine, it is available with a 5- or 6-speed manual transmission or Nissan's automatic Continuously Variable Transmission. The Cube is capable of averaging 20 km/l (5 l/100 km; 47 mpg_-US) in Japan and doing 28 mpg_-US (8.4 l/100 km) city, and 30 mpg_-US (7.8 l/100 km) highway with its Xtronic CVT transmission. The e-4WD trim contains an electric rear wheel drive motor to assist the gasoline engine powered front wheels.

[edit] Marketing

Nissan provided visitors at the 2008 LA Auto show with a brochure featuring the car using augmented reality technology. The brochure is held up to a webcam of which various 3D models of the vehicle will pop out offering views of the car's exterior and interior in real-time interaction with the brochure.^[3]

To promote the first Cube model to arrive in Canada, Nissan Canada run a contest in early and mid 2009 to give away 50 Nissan Cubes to "creative Canadians". The marketing campaign, called 'hypercube', picked 500 Canadians to compete for 50 Cubes by showing their creative talents. The winners received their Cubes at events held in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.^[4]

[edit] Reviewers comments

• "The Cube is ... accessible, fun and deeply strange in an authentically Japanese way.... The Cube is undiluted Tokyo chic, from its asymmetrical rear window to its shag-carpet dashboard pad to the bungee cords on the doors, which Nissan says are useful for holding "stuffed driving mascots." -- Ezra Dyer, New York Times ^[5]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Nissan CUBE website (in Japanese)
• Japanese Imports Safety Recalls for Nissan Cube
• Nissan Cube Specifications
• 2009 Nissan CUBE USA