Nissan's Futuristic Car Just 3.6 Feet Wide
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: Nissan, Land, Glider, Car, Futuristic | Themes: Business
Nissan's funky futuristic prototype looks like the jettisoned cockpit of a sci-fi starfighter, but with wheels.
Nissan's latest concept car appears rather cool and goofy at the same time. It certainly looks like the jettisoned cockpit of a science fiction star fighter, only with wheels. But at the same time, looking at the vehicle straight on from the front, it seems as if the car drove into a trash compactor and emerged on the others side, almost flattened, as seen in really old Bugs Bunny cartoons.
But apparently this is a serious attempt to create a light-weight electric car with zero emissions. Called the "Land Glider," the car will shift its center of gravity while rounding curves by leaning like a motorcycle. The vehicle only measures 3.6 feet wide, and seats two people in a cockpit fashion: one passenger in the front, and one in the back.
According to Nissan, the tilting wheels and moving fenders enable the vehicle to lean by up to 17 degrees; sensors determine the actual tilt for "negotiating" a corner. Nissan also threw out the traditional steering wheel and mounted airplane-style controls. Nissan even said that its overall design is to give motorists a sense of security despite the seemingly cramped feel and the squashed aluminum can appearance.
To get a better understanding on how this car looks and performs, head over to YouTube and watch Nissan's demonstration here. There's also a slide-show-type video located here too. Be sure to keep an eye out for the dashboard shot though... this may actually be rather fun to drive despite its cramped, claustrophobic size.
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This car is hot.
If only something like this could be affordably priced, I would buy one.
Already have one
Yeah, i got like three of those in my backyard.
hmmm, they can bury you in it to after the accident. It is about coffin size.
I'll take one if they are cheaper than the smart car.
This is a very similar design to the Carver
http://green.autoblog.com/2006/08/ [...] u-say-coo/
Top gear reviewed that thing and said it was terrific fun to drive.
Nissan's model looks great and if they can make it affordable, they may have a winner on their hands.
Probably won't do well in accidents - lol
This looks like the Smart from Mercedes.. I freaking hatre it and we have so many all over Europe and specially here in Greece.. Google that too. Specialy the cabrio version. Damn small cars I can't stand them.
See also the Volkswagen 1L concept series, which is supposedly targeted for eventual production. It is a 2-seat inline design, and I think a better one. It is a little wider for side-impact protection, and doesn't need to lean. It is extremely simple and lightweight.
The name 1L refers to a fuel consumption of 1L/100Km, equivalent to 238 MPG!
This Nissan looks cool, but it seems overly complicated and is probably heavier and less efficient than it needs to be due to the tilt actuators. Also, how do you wash inside the fender gaps?
I think it would do great in an accident! Tighter welds, less metal to flex, less space to consume with airbags.. it'll be like that car in Demolition Man when it filled with foam! lol! I like it!
I think Newton handles the tilt not fancy actuators. In the US it will be an epic failure. A Smart is lethal in a 40 mph crash with anything other than another Smart. This will be much worse far worse than a motorcycle I would imagine as you are encased in this.
Safest place in any accident is inside the vehicle. Period. I don't care WHAT your driving unless it is filled with spikes or some crap.
This could be a nice alternative to motorcycles if they make a faster version for only the driver.
hmm, let's see how well it does when you throw a snowy road at it. My bet is: about as well as a motorcycle. But as far as a concept goes it does look kinda cool.
interesting looking car.
I wonder what kinda driving range it has.
Seen this before. Circa 1985 it was called a Sinclair C5
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclair_C5
Seen this before. Circa 1985 it was called a Sinclair C5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclair_C5
You're shitting me. The C5 was an electric kiddy trike with a plastic cockpit!
This is more like the Carver One or the GM "Lean Machine" : http://www.schultzengineering.us/ptv-rnd/gmlean.jpg
It looks like the height of the rear bumper of a pick-up truck will be about 1/2 way up the windshield. 2 problems with that... first, your face takes the brunt of the impact of a colission, second, a big vehicle will not see you behind or sometimes along side them unless you put on one of those stupid orange flags that they use on recumbant bicycles.
Those look like ~10 inch tires. How well does it handle bumpy roads and potholes? How about snow? I bet in the North-East they will invent a new sport where SUVs use these as hockey pucks on icy mornings.
It looks like the height of the rear bumper of a pick-up truck will be about 1/2 way up the windshield. 2 problems with that... first, your face takes the brunt of the impact of a colission, second, a big vehicle will not see you behind or sometimes along side them unless you put on one of those stupid orange flags that they use on recumbant bicycles.Those look like ~10 inch tires. How well does it handle bumpy roads and potholes? How about snow? I bet in the North-East they will invent a new sport where SUVs use these as hockey pucks on icy mornings.
Cars don't do so hot when they hit school buses either. There are always going to be shortcomings and downfalls but if this is EMISSIONLESS, awesome!
I don't think your ever gonna convince people to drive these types of cars while SUV's and 53' tractor trailers are sharing our roads. You can stuff as many safety features as you want in them but I ask you this... What happens when a tractor trailer with a gross weight of 13,000 lbs + a 53' trailer loaded with 60,000 lbs+ of freight moving at even...25 miles per hour hits this car? You don't have to be a physics major to get a fairly adequate mental image of the result.
Old idea, BMW Isetta (1950s) and more recently the Mercedes Benz Lifejet (1997). How is this news?
I don't think your ever gonna convince people to drive these types of cars while SUV's and 53' tractor trailers are sharing our roads. You can stuff as many safety features as you want in them but I ask you this... What happens when a tractor trailer with a gross weight of 13,000 lbs + a 53' trailer loaded with 60,000 lbs+ of freight moving at even...25 miles per hour hits this car? You don't have to be a physics major to get a fairly adequate mental image of the result.
Um, what happens when that hits ANYTHING? What about motorcylists? This isn't gonna be a car replacement, it is a decent alternative to a motorcycle and looks DAMN COOL to drive!!
hmm, let's see how well it does when you throw a snowy road at it. My bet is: about as well as a motorcycle. But as far as a concept goes it does look kinda cool.
Do you even know how a street bike works on snow? A typical motorcycle street tire has the width of a dime of contact rubber on each tire. A car tire on the other hand has a flat contact patch, and 2x as many of them. A car fairs far better than a motorcycle on any type of slippery surface, be it snow, ice, rain, etc.
I don't think your ever gonna convince people to drive these types of cars while SUV's and 53' tractor trailers are sharing our roads. You can stuff as many safety features as you want in them but I ask you this... What happens when a tractor trailer with a gross weight of 13,000 lbs + a 53' trailer loaded with 60,000 lbs+ of freight moving at even...25 miles per hour hits this car? You don't have to be a physics major to get a fairly adequate mental image of the result.
What happens to a SUV hit by a tractor trailer?
http://btx3.files.wordpress.com/20 [...] -small.jpg
http://www.wreckedexotics.com/humm [...] 18_001.jpg
http://i.pbase.com/o4/35/171135/1/ [...] _0834e.jpg
Old idea, BMW Isetta (1950s) and more recently the Mercedes Benz Lifejet (1997). How is this news?
Steve Urkel didn't drive one of these.
personally I would prefer to have my girlfriend sitting next to me rather than behind me.
Can't wait for the footage of the crash tests.
If it got tons of MPG it would beat riding a motorcycle in bad weather.
and goes 0-60 in 25.0 sec. Not my cup of tea.
I bet it doesn't do to bad on icey roads. And probably a whole lot better then motorcycles. It has 4 wheels more traction, light weight so actually easier to stop as it doesn't have as much momentum as something heavier. So i'd say its on par with the average car. The tilt might help/hurt.
I think the Aptera looks cooler.
http://laughingsquid.com/aptera-a- [...] he-future/