By Speedhunters

Car Culture At Large

Here’s another “Euro”-styled compact car out of Japan, a Z11 Nissan Cube dumped on color-matched OZ Futuras. The boxy, yet organic style of the Cube lends itself so well to this sort of thing.

Somehow I don’t think I could convince my sister-in-law in to do this to her Cube in Japan…

By Mike Garrett

By Speedhunters

Car Culture At Large

I’ve been noticing quite a few Nissan Cubes driving on the highways here in California recently. Every time I see one the road, I think about how cool it would look with some proper wheels and good stance. This Z12 Cube dropped low on what look to be SSR Professor MS1R’s shows just how nice these things can look when done right. Found on Minkara of course.

I’m interested to see if there’s going to be any of these on display at SEMA this year…

By Mike Garrett

By Antonio Alvendia

Antonio Alvendia

The Nissan Cube is one of the newest Japanese imports to American shores, and what better place for such a spicy import to come ashore than caliente Miami? Not too long ago, we got to spend a little time with this habanero chili pepper-colored specimen (very nice) and we’re digging the flavor.

Marketed by Nissan as the “Cube Mobile Device,” this new product offering from Nissan competes directly against the highly popular Scion xB and the newly introduced Kia Soul. Continue reading and view more photos of the Cube in Miami at MotorMavens.com

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

A bunch of folks from Nissan were in town yesterday for a big press conference with our mayor. Seattle is working to build out an infrastructure to support electric cars, and Nissan has pledged to help. I didn’t make it to the press conference, but I was able to talk to Mark Perry, Nissan’s Director of Product Planning. Mark told me that Nissan is very serious about bringing an EV to market in 18 months, and said that it will be priced “like a normal family sedan.” So I’m taking that to mean less than a Chevy Volt. And unlike the Volt, Nissan’s car will be a pure EV, with no gas motor to back it up. Mark said to expect a range of 100 miles. The test mule below looks like a Cube, but the production vehicle will look different. I asked Mark when they were coming out with an electric GT-R. He said that Nissan is primarily interested in mass market applications of the EV technology, but that obviously electric drivetrains have some great potential for high performance vehicles. I’m sure the Nissan EV will be a huge hit here in the Seattle neighborhood of Fremont! Heck, I’d consider getting one if they are cheap enough.

Full press release after the jump!

Continue reading "Nissan Partners With Seattle on EV Project" »

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Today was also the first time I’ve seen a Cube up close. It’s pretty cool, but I think the first gen xB was cooler. More pics after the jump!

Continue reading "NYIAS: Nissan Cube" »

By Matt Wellumson

Neuwerks

Just when you thought boxy might be going out of style, we are starting to see more concepts and production models take on the two-box shape that Scion helped make popular again. Since Nissan skipped Detroit, this was our first chance to see their new North American offerings. Situated next to the GT-R, Nissan unveiled a US-ready left hand drive version of their Cube, a car that has been offered in Japan for years. More details and pics after the jump.

Continue reading "Move Over xB, the Nissan Cube is here!" »

Nissan’s new Cube is headed for the US in 2009, and recently Car & Driver had a chance to take it for a spin. I didn’t realize that the new micro-box is a full 20" shorter than the Scion xB, the ride to which it’s often compared, and I was similarly in the dark about its ersatz 4wd, using an electric-assist system I’d first heard about on the Chevy Trax protoype last year. The normally FWD Cube has rear wheels that can be driven by an electric motor run by engine-powered generators. As Car & Driver points out, this represents a major power drag on the engine, so the Cube’s already modest horsepower is compromised during the "e-4WD" mode. More pics below the jump, and check out full driving impressions here!

Continue reading "Nissan Cube Has 4WD… Sorta" »

The Hornet prevailed by a slim but healthy margin in our latest Showroom Showdown, beating out the Nissan Cube by 22 to 17. A lot of you cited either domestic or import loyalty for your choice, while many pointed out that the Cube, and its accompanying aftermarket, is already available on the international market. The majority, though, just went on looks. Me, I’m just a little disgruntled that Dodge is recycling a name with such a storied racing past for a cheap microcar. But what the hey, the Hornet nails it!

It looks like the Dodge Hornet is a go, and the Nissan Cube will be here shortly. Both microcars will be cheap, get good mpg and are kind of cool looking (I think so, anyway). So, which would you choose?

John has gone off to Florida again. This time his sister is graduating. Or something like that. So anyway, you’re stuck with my version of the news for the next two days.

• New pics of of the 2010 Nissan Cube have surfaced. Looks cool in a dorky kind of way. Jalopnik.
• The convertible CTS Coupe is a no go. I think GM is high. Can we get a petition going? Autoblog.
• The Volt prototype is already going 40 miles in electric-only mode, and all signs are pointing to GM actually hitting their 2010 launch goal. Motor Authority.
• Some jackass rear ended Drew Barrymore and then tried to get away. Barrymore chased down the driver, got the license plate and turned it over to the cops. Nice work! UGO.