TOKYO: The LandGlider
October 21st, 2009 by Richard Aucock
NISSAN is looking to build and sell the stunning electric two-seat LandGlider Tokyo Motor Show car.
A designer in the project admitted that it has indeed been designed with production car intent.
When pressed on a price, he said the aim would be to get the price tag in at under €30,000 – that’s around £27,500.
That’s a lot of money for a Smart rival, but not so extravagant when you consider the electric motor’s attention-grabbing appearance. It really is totally unique!
Even more unique, indeed, than the Toyota FT-EV II, over at Nissan’s arch-rival stand. Which Toyota says could be on our roads by… yes, 2012.
Nissan describes the LandGlider as a ‘second generation electric car’. Reactions to it here at the show will decide if it will become Nissan’s fourth electric production car.
The four-wheel motor sits one passenger behind the other. This means it’s just 1.3m wide, and 3m long. It was designed with the congested driving conditions of Tokyo in mind.
You’ll notice, though, that it is somewhat narrow. That’s why, to maintain balance, Nissan has given it a ‘3D driving experience’. Yes, it leans into corners, by up to 10 degrees.
Do a hard U-turn, and the body will crank over up to 17 degrees. Front and rear wheels are housed under independent fenders, and an array of sensors from the Nissan GT-R control the body’s actions.
Inside, the firm says it will have hi-tech gadgetry and will be fully protected by a crash-resistant armoured shell. It’s also, just like that Toyota concept, got ‘drive by wire’, meaning you steer by a games console-like joystick lever.
Legislation ensures the necessary failsafe backups are in place…
With batteries derived from the Nissan LEAF, but a quarter of the number, the special concept has a lot more viability than appearances may suggest. Yes, it’s way out there and completely different…
… but what a halo car for an electric car range it could be! The engineer said it could be ready n two years, if minds were really put to it.
Do it, we say. How about you?
By Richard Aucock
Tags: electric, ev, landglider, Nissan, tokyo