The Way i Go

Proving that city cars don’t have to be sleepy little streamlined dice, the Nissan Land Glider EV concept being prepped for the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show ties together easy maneuverability and parking with a sense of excitement behind the wheel, despite being piloted by a surprisingly sedate woman in the press photos.

The Japanese are often keen to liken the experience of driving a car to that of riding a horse–as Mazda terms it, “jinba ittai,” or “horse and rider as one.” That’s the sort of philosophy that’s inspired some of the most fun-to-drive Japanese sports cars in history, including the Mazda Miata.

Proving that Mazda doesn’t have a monopoly on the concept, the NissanLand Glider EV is a four-wheeled, narrow city car that leans into the turns like a barrel racer to offer what Nissan calls “a new, exciting sense of driving and powerful, crisp ride.”

It’s certainly an intriguing design, and looks like it would be a hoot to drive. The body itself is also interesting, shaped to maximize parking space in cramped urban areas while still offering enough space for daily duties. The streamlined shape and high-tech design themes are also hints at what may be in store at Nissan.

Small size and light weight are also leveraged to make the most out of the EV platform. Details like range, speed, and charge times are being reserved for the show itself. Don’t expect to see this car on the streets any time soon, but do expect to see its influence in future Nissan small cars.

Related posts:

1. Lamborghini Gallardo Cop Car Crashes in Italy
2. Dell’s New Solar Parking Lot
3. Peugeot Globule – Concept Vehicle
4. BMW unveils Vision EfficientDynamics Concept
5. Show me your Maserati Garage, and I tell you who you are