Nissan teases with new Paris concept

NISSAN has provided this teaser image of a new zero-emissions concept vehicle it will unveil on September 30 at the Paris Motor Show.

Called Townpod, the vehicle is the latest in a line of Nissan electric vehicles and is said to be “designed to offer zero-emissions mobility to a future generation of home-based, innovative entrepreneurs who are creative and tech-savvy”.

While the teaser image shows only the headlight, the Townpod could be more van-like than the forthcoming Leaf production EV and may even share its drivetrain, although Nissan has yet to reveal any technical details.

“It is more than just a car and it’s more than just a van,” said Nissan in a statement. “It heralds a new era of flexible, stylish vehicles that will bring electric-vehicle mobility to the masses.



Left: Nissan Leaf EV.

“The concept combines eye-catching design with a spacious and practical interior.” Although presented purely as a concept car, Nissan suggests the Townpod has a production future, saying it “offers insight into how Nissan could expand its portfolio of zero-emission vehicles”.

The French-owned Japanese company plans to make a big splash at its new ‘home’ show with zero-emissions vehicles, including the presentation of the highly anticipated Leaf in production form ahead of its European launch early next year.

Leaf will be the first in what Nissan promises to be a wide range of production EVs available from the company in the coming years.

Nissan intends to seriously undercut the price of the ground-breaking Mitsubishi i-MiEV with the Leaf to justify its claim that it is the first purpose-designed, mass-produced, affordable EV from any major motor manufacturer.

The electric-only Leaf light-car will have a range of 160km from its Nissan-developed laminated lithium-ion battery, which provides the charge for a front-mounted AC motor developing 80kW of power and 280Nm of torque.

Nissan’s Paris stand will also feature the new-generation Micra, which debuted at the Geneva show in February, the production version of the British-built Juke baby SUV that was also previewed at Geneva, and the updated X-Trail that is about to go on sale in Australia.