New York show: US enters Nissan's Cube

NISSAN has given Toyota’s youth-brand Scion a scare with the American debut of the Cube in concept-car form at this week's New York motor show.

Displayed as an electric concept version known as the Denki (which means electricity in Japanese) of the current second-generation Cube sold successfully in Japan, the kiloWatt Cube uses laminated lithium-ion batteries packed underneath the floor and seats to provide motivation to the electric motors.



Nissan says Li-Ion batteries, co-developed with NEC and scheduled for commercial use early next decade, are significantly more efficient and safer than more conventional units.

Based on Renault’s B-segment alliance platform that also underpins models as varied as the Nissan Tiida and Renault Clio, the Cube is a hot favourite as the company’s riposte to the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit (Jazz), Smart ForTwo and upcoming next-generation Ford Fiesta/Verve as a new-wave of city cars sweeping the United States.

Nissan is reportedly preparing the next (third) generation Cube for export from Japan to North America. Described as a “more rounded box”, it is due next year as an MY2010 model.