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In addition to the unveiling of the Leaf EV at the Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan is also going to show off another electric vehicle, the Land Glider Concept. Nissan boasts that its extremely narrow dimensions will help it maneuver through traffic in urban areas and make it easier to park.
The Land Glider concept holds two passengers in a cockpit that looks like it came directly out of a video game. What is interesting is that the concept has the ability to lean like a motorcycle through turns.
Check out the pics and video after the jump.
PRESS RELEASE
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NISSAN EXHIBIT AT THE 2009 TOKYO MOTOR SHOW
YOKOHAMA (October 8, 2009) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, will present various show cars at the upcoming 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, including 'Leaf', an electric vehicle (EV) which is slated for global launch and volume production in late 2010, 'Land Glider', an EV concept car, and 'Qazana', which is an entirely new type of compact sport crossover, which made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2009. Nissan will also showcase the new mini MPV "Roox", to be launched later this year.
Nissan's ultimate goal in the environmental field is zero-emission. With its aim to be a leader in this field, the Nissan exhibits will focus on concept cars including 'Leaf' and on the development of related technologies and battery-charging infrastructure, in an effort to communicate the company's commitment to consumers.
Nissan is also continuing to work on the internal combustion engine (ICE) technology, for the development of environment-friendly technology to improve fuel economy and reduce gas emission. In addition to EV, the Nissan exhibit will feature a wide range of models and technologies such as hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), clean diesel technology and next-generation X-TRONIC CVT.
Leaf
Overview of major concept cars and technologies to be exhibited are as follows.
Leaf
The world's first EV designed for large-scale volume production
* High-performance, zero-emission power train and platform take the 'joy of driving' to another dimension.
* A design that evokes a clean and intelligent image and a body that achieves optimal aerodynamics and wind noise characteristics are packaged into this innovative and original five-passenger, five-door hatchback.
* Has a range of more than 160km (100 miles) on one full charge, which is sufficient for most daily needs.
* Features an advanced IT system that is specially designed for zero-emission mobility. Navigation screen supports the driver by displaying range autonomy areas and battery-charging spots with a touch of a button.
Land Glider
A new proposal for urban mobility that can be enabled by zero-emission car
* The Land Glider has a potential to become a new means of transportation in urban areas; its linear acceleration and the narrow body, which only an ultra-compact, ultra-lightweight EV can achieve, will help reduce traffic congestion and promote effective use of parking space.
* Shift of the centre of gravity by leaning provides a new, exciting sense of driving and a powerful, crisp ride.
Qazana
A whole new five-door compact sport crossover with innovative design
* Exterior and interior design inspired by images of beach buggies and motorcycles.
* Distinctive exterior features a large wheel arch that emphasises power and stability, high belt lines and a sporty upper body.
* The interior features a centre console that looks just like a fuel tank and seat of a motorcycle and a design that exposes the body framework.
* Combines sporty driving and environmental performance.
Roox
A super-spacious mini-sized vehicle that features a large interior space and dynamic design
* A comfortable interior space (interior height: 1365mm, interior length: 2085mm), one the largest for mini-sized vehicles, allows flexible seat arrangement.
* The sporty and sophisticated 'Highway Star' design exudes a strong presence that changes the image of mini-sized vehicles.
* To maximise the ease of getting in and out, a slide door (opening width: 580mm, opening height: 1230mm), which can be remotely controlled, and a rear step with low ground height are featured on both sides of the car.
NV200 Vanette Universal Design Taxi
A next generation Universal Design Taxi that pursues comfortable mobility for all customers
* Exterior design is readily identifiable as a taxi and also stylish.
* Will be officially introduced as the Universal Design Taxi by the end of 2010.
Next-generation continuously variable transmission (CVT)
The next-generation XTRONIC CVT is compact, lightweight and low-friction, and features an original structure
* Has achieved a world-best change gear ratio range of 7.3, which is more than 20% better compared to conventional CVT of the same class.
* Nissan's original, breakthrough design, which combines subtransmission, has succeeded in reducing total transmission length by 10% and weight by 13%.
* Unit efficiency has been improved by reducing friction by 30% through reduction of oil agitation resistance and others.

Comments (7)
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally I can be in a cage and still squeeze between two lanes of traffic like those organ donors!!!
Wait...didn't someone somewhere develop something similar to this sometime ago???
Posted by lotsofTRidiots | October 7, 2009 5:48 PM
Posted on October 7, 2009 17:48
I believe what you are referring to was on Beyond 2000 (in the US at least) like a decade ago. It was a custom one off thing that worked quiet well. But considering the technical hassles and production issues it probably never went beyond a custom design.
It's an interesting concept, but I see limited application unless you REALLY need the space.
Posted by Brian | October 7, 2009 6:16 PM
Posted on October 7, 2009 18:16
Carver already did this with the Carver One (it's on Wikipedia). All they did was make it 4-wheeled instead of three.
Posted by Totenglocke | October 7, 2009 9:19 PM
Posted on October 7, 2009 21:19
Very tall relative to the wheelbase width - looks like it would roll over fairly easily.
Posted by slap | October 8, 2009 3:12 AM
Posted on October 8, 2009 03:12
Bet it is Claustrophobic especially for the person in the back
Posted by gdp | October 8, 2009 7:53 AM
Posted on October 8, 2009 07:53
Wonder if it can highside like a motorcycle? Rear end slides, then bites, nope, I got it, nope I don't got it :)
No way I'd own one of these.
Posted by wvo | October 8, 2009 9:39 AM
Posted on October 8, 2009 09:39
I'll take the Carver One over this. At least it looks better IMO.
Posted by 426Hemi | October 12, 2009 8:36 PM
Posted on October 12, 2009 20:36