PARIS : October 2, 2008 - Nuvu is literally a 'new view' at the future of the city car. It is electric, of course, but as far as Nissan is concerned, for tomorrow's city cars that is a given. No, the most important aspect of Nuvu is the interior design which provides great comfort and space in an intelligent package designed to make best use of our crowded roads and limited parking slots. Pixo's arrival coincides with an ever-increasing demand for cleaner, greener cars as a result of the volatility of oil prices and, as a result, the global economy.


NUVU: RESHAPING THE CITY

Within just a few years, cities all over the world will be at near bursting point. If mankind wants to retain the level of personal mobility it currently enjoys -- and if the city is to survive -- the only way forward is for a radical rethink of the type of cars driven there. One solution could be a car like Nuvu, designed for the city of the not-too-distant future.

Overview
There is about to be a seismic shift in the urban landscape. Within the next five to seven years, some 55 percent of the world's population will live in the city, threatening total gridlock. Unless something is done, the irony of the phrase 'personal mobility' will be self-evident.

Look around at the cars in a typical city traffic jam today and the vast majority will have only one occupant and four empty seats. Some might have two occupants, a few three. But find one with four occupants or more and you'll be doing very well.

Today, we buy a family car knowing that we'll only ever need to use it to its full potential one or perhaps two percent of the time. Tomorrow, things will be different. Tomorrow, things have to be different.

"There is a new generation coming up who, finally, are questioning why we do the things we do. They are asking themselves, for example, why they are buying a large car when they know that for 99 percent of the time they will be in it on their own," says Franc,ois Bancon, General Manager, Exploratory and Advance Planning Department, Product Strategy and Product Planning Division, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

"It is our job to provide personal transportation that is better suited to people's needs and to what the environment -- in all senses -- can cope with."

Nissan's vision for the future of urban transportation is encapsulated in Nuvu, a 'new view' of the type of car we will be driving in the middle of the next decade. Compact -- it's just 3 meters long -- Nuvu is a concept vehicle with unique 2+1 seating. It is aimed at urban dwellers who don't want to compromise on their personal freedom or their comfort, yet who appreciate that 'something has to give.'

Nuvu is agile, easy to drive, even easier to park. And it is, of course, an electric vehicle (EV). As Bancon says: "We believe zero emission vehicles are one of the key solutions for tomorrow's city car."

Nuvu is described as a moving oasis, a haven of green tranquility in the urban jungle. To underline this message, Nuvu incorporates a witty representation of its green credentials: across its all-glass roof are a dozen or so small solar panels. Shaped like leaves on a branch, the power they generate is fed to the battery using a 'tree trunk' within the car as a conduit. Nuvu also uses natural, organic and recycled materials within the cabin.

Nissan has already announced plans to introduce an all-electric car in Japan and the US in 2010 and to mass-market it globally in 2012. Nuvu is not that car, though it does share some of the technology that will feature in the planned production vehicle. Rather, it is a concept of how a Nissan EV might look in the near future.

In the longer term, Nissan foresees a future based around a line-up of zero emission vehicles regardless of their size, category and usage. Nuvu -- or its production equivalent -- is just one element of this emission-free future.

Nuvu in detail
The central thrust behind the development of Nuvu is not its motive power but its layout and use of space. Nuvu has been created for a city of the future, one that's even more crowded than today.

That's why it's compact on the outside yet roomy on the inside. Built on a unique platform, it's just 3 meters long and sits on a wheelbase of 1980 mm but is 1700 mm wide and 1550 mm tall to create a large and airy cabin.

Interior package
These dimensions provide all the interior room needed for the vast majority of city journeys. Nuvu has two regular seats and a third occasional chair that can be folded down when required. But, unlike some two-seater city cars currently on the market, it is a thoroughly practical proposition with an integral luggage area providing sufficient space for a typical supermarket or shopping expedition.

"It is a real car," says Bancon. "There would be no disadvantages to using a Nuvu everyday. For the vast majority of users, three seats are more than enough most of the time."

The packaging is designed to give priority to driver comfort with C-segment levels of space and the flexibility to invite one or two passengers on board. Cabin layout places the regular passenger seat beside but largely behind the driver's seat, allowing the passenger to stretch right out. Ahead of this seat is a third occasional chair which, when not in use, is folded away into the dashboard assembly. But even when the third seat is in use, there remains sufficient legroom for both passengers.

In the interests of saving both weight and space, the third seat has a center section made from hardwearing yet comfortable netting. This hammock-like approach also has the benefit of allowing cool or warm air to circulate around the occupant's body for extra comfort.

Shopping bags, briefcases and smaller items of luggage can be stowed behind the driver's seat while if the driver is traveling solo, larger items can be stowed in the passenger footwall.

City car research
"We did a great deal of research into how people use their cars in the city. We found that for 90 percent of the time, the driver was alone. For five percent of the time there was one passenger and for four percent of the time there were two passengers. You can do the math to find out how often four or more people were in the car!" says Bancon.

"We gave the second seat much more room than normal because when you take one passenger in your car it is usually someone you love and you want to make sure he or she is being carried in outstanding comfort," he adds.

Natural materials
Many of the materials used inside Nuvu reflect an increasing concern for the environment. The floor is made from wood fibers pressed into laminate sheets and is studded with rubber inserts made from recycled tires for grip. To create a light and bright interior, the windscreen and roof merge into one extended panel running virtually the entire length of the car. But undoubtedly the most unusual feature of the interior is the 'energy tree' which rises from the luggage compartment floor to the roof behind the driver's seat.

Solar panels
The energy tree is shaped like a thin trunk. As it reaches daylight it branches out under the glass roof providing occupants with protection from bright sunlight... just like a real tree. And providing a visual reminder of Nuvu's green credentials, covering the branches are dozens of small solar panels shaped like leaves.

The panels absorb energy from the sun which is then fed back down the energy tree and used to help recharge the battery and provide an extra power boost for the electric motor. As well as being genuinely green energy, it is estimated that the power generated via the solar panels will save the equivalent of one full overnight charge from mains electricity each month.

Driver controls are as simple as possible. All the major functions -- steering, braking, transmission and throttle -- are 'By-Wire' while the steering is controlled by an aircraft-style steering yoke: with just one turn from lock to lock, the steering is very direct for agility and maneuverability in the city. Nuvu's turning circle is just 3.7 meters. Thanks to its wide track and the use of 16 inch 165/55 tires mounted on lightweight, almost transparent, wheels, ride comfort, stability and agility is of the highest order.

There are two pedals -- for stop and go -- stalks for minor controls and a digital instrument panel with dials for speed, distance covered and battery range. The instrument panel itself is formed of layers -- rather like an onion -- and like the energy tree is another example of design inspired by nature. "We call it bio-mimicry," says Bancon.

Rear view/parking monitor
Two screens on the dashboard display the view behind the car -- there are no door mirrors to disturb the airflow, but small cameras -- and double as monitors for the Around View Camera which give a bird's eye view of the car when maneuvering or parking.

Saving energy was the guiding force behind the use of low-energy LED head and tail lamps, while Nuvu's heating and ventilation system filters and cleans the city air as it passes through the vehicle. Not only does it produce no emissions at source, but Nuvu actually helps clean up the city environment.

Exterior and interior design
"Nuvu's design is further clear evidence of Nissan's continued desire to challenge convention and to explore all the possibilities that the EV could bring us. In many ways it was inspired by our two most extreme EVs of recent times: Mixim and Pivo 2.

"Significantly, though, Nuvu delivers a more realistic interpretation of two of the most important aspects of its forerunners -- the 'Friendly Innovation' found in Pivo 2 and the 'Sports Dynamics' central to Mixim

"The result? We have designed a radical concept car that with just a few changes could go into production tomorrow," explains Masato Inoue, Chief Designer, Product Design Department, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Developed by designers at Creative Box Inc. -- Nissan's design think-tank -- Nuvu's green house has flowing lines with gentle curves inspired by nature. The distinctive shape of the door glass on either side gives the impression of a hot air balloon that's being gently inflated by pressure from within, while tropical fish inspired the profile of the side window graphics as a whole.

This contrast between the natural, fluid shape of the green house and the strength implied by the solidity of the lower body gives Nuvu a feeling of quality rarely found in a compact car.

Color and materials
Nuvu's visual impact is further enhanced by its unique body color. Developed by Nissan Design, the shade is officially called Soft Feel Sandy Gold.

Matching the ecological values of an electric vehicle, the molded plastics and synthetic elements found inside a typical production car have been replaced by natural materials and organic Titleernatives, such as the wood fibers and rubber from car tires used for the flooring. The result helps create a relaxed, warm atmosphere within Nuvu's cabin.

During the design development stage, key targets were to develop an EV that encompassed obvious modernity with engaging ambience and a playful aspect -- hence the energy tree. "You don't need to be a car lover to fall in love with Nuvu," adds Bancon.

EV drivetrain
Nuvu is more than a styling concept of a future EV. It is a fully working mobile test bed for much of the technology that will be used in Nissan's production EV to be launched in 2010. For this reason elements of its technical specification are being kept secret for the time being.

The electric motor used in Nuvu is mounted at the rear of the vehicle and drives the back wheels, though neither its exact specification nor the power and torque figures are being released at this stage. A driving range of 125 kms and top speed of 120 km/h are being made public, however.

Li-Ion battery
Similarly Titlehough it can be revealed that the batteries used are of the latest laminated lithium-ion type and have a capacity of 140 Wh/kg (watt-hours per kilogram), the total capacity of the batteries and number of modules are not being disclosed at this stage.

Nissan began research into high output Li-Ion cells as long ago as 1992, but today development is carried out by Automotive Energy Supply Corp. (AESC), a joint venture company set up by Nissan and NEC Group.

Unlike a conventional lithium-ion battery with its bulky cylindrical cells, the laminated Li-Ion battery as used in Nuvu has thin laminated cells and fewer components overall. This boosts its power by a factor of 1.5 at the same time as halving its physical size. It also remains twice as efficient as a conventional cylindrical Li-Ion battery even after five years or 100,000 kms of continuous usage.

Another bonus of the compact cell construction is that a thin modular design is possible with a commensurate improvement in battery cooling efficiency. Higher power outputs are achieved through material improvements made to its lithium manganate positive electrode and carbon negative electrode. The use of chemically stable spinel-structured manganese for the positive electrode also helps ensure safe operation.

Its compact size allows the batteries to be mounted under the seats and the vehicle's flat floor, thus helping to keep the center of gravity as low as possible.

A quick charge from empty to full should take between 10 to 20 minutes while a full charge should take between three to four hours from a domestic 220v socket.

Typical users
"The people who will be drawn to a car like Nuvu are many and varied," says Bancon. "It is a cross generational car and not a signature vehicle for one generation.

"There will be common threads, however. They will be early adopters but more importantly they regard themselves as urban citizens. They don't just work or live in the city; they are part of the city. They want a car that somehow expresses who they are and which reflects their personal ideology."

Conclusion
Titlehough clearly a concept vehicle exploring aspects of future vehicle design, Nuvu nevertheless embodies many messages for today. Its clever interior provides ample headroom, legroom and comfort for most everyday needs without occupying more road space than it needs.

The use of recycled and natural materials underlines Nuvu's environmental message and while the energy tree might be considered as a piece of whimsy, the use of solar energy is an entirely sensible and practical technological solution to aid an emission free future.

"Nuvu is a concept car, for sure, but it is an entirely credible vehicle," says Bancon. "It is light, clean and easy to drive. It is practical and a sensible size, yet it is also embodies an element of fun: the future doesn't look so bad, after all."

Images : Nissan NUVU EV Concept






Nissan PIXO : Accessible Green Urban Driving From Nissan


Against a backdrop of record oil prices, fears of a global recession and demand for ever lower greenhouse gas emissions, buyers are looking for an inexpensive and fuel-efficient car with a low CO₂ output. They need look no further. The new Nissan PIXO, a four-seater producing 103 g/km of CO₂, will offer genuinely environmentally-conscious motoring at an accessible price.

"Motorists all over Europe are seeking a car with excellent fuel economy and low emissions but they believe they shouldn't have to pay a premium for that. PIXO delivers on all levels. It's the car to meet the needs of customers who are increasingly economically and environmentally conscious." Carlos Tavares, Executive Vice President, Nissan Motor Limited

Overview
With oil prices fluctuating in a volatile global market and governments worldwide agreeing to set ever lower targets for emissions from all sources, the arrival of the PIXO underlines Nissan's commitment to providing affordable, urban transport which is efficient in terms of consumption and emissions. Its arrival on the Nissan range complements the Micra and Note, giving the company a strong, diverse selection of compact, spacious and efficient cars which are well equipped for the reality of modern urban driving. And when it is launched in Europe, the PIXO will wear the newly announced Pure Drive badge, which will help car-buyers to identify the most efficient models in Nissan's range.

Thanks to exceptional fuel economy and with CO₂ emissions that are among the lowest in comparison with its competitors, PIXO makes a strong case for itself.

And when the price position is taken into account, this combination becomes very compelling. It will compete head-to-head with popular small city-cars but at a price that will bring eco-friendly motoring to an even wider audience given its accessible price.

PIXO is a five-door, four-seater with a roomy interior and generous luggage space thanks to its efficient design and packaging.

It wants for little in terms of standard equipment, either. There are two versions of PIXO available: Visia and Acenta. Power steering, anti-lock brakes and dual front airbags are standard on every model while keyless entry, power front windows, split folding rear seats, side airbags and front fog lamps are standard on Acenta.

Options include manual air conditioning, electronic stability control and curtain airbags, while a four-speed automatic transmission is also available. And with the Nissan badge on its nose, PIXO benefits from the company's strong brand image, which is backed by a comprehensive three-year warranty.

But alongside these big car features, PIXO enjoys small car attributes. Thanks to its lively three cylinder 1.0-litre engine and lightweight construction, it produces just 103 g/km CO₂ and delivers fuel economy of 4.6 l/100km (61.4 mpg) on the combined cycle. These figures will position PIXO among the most affordable eco-cars in the small city car category.

"There can be little doubt that our attitudes to the car are changing. Thanks to the spiralling cost of fuel we want better economy and we want to reduce our personal impact on the environment as much as possible. But at the same we are unwilling to sacrifice space, comfort and safety or forgo the trust we have in a brand such as Nissan," says Pierre Loing, Nissan's European Vice President of Product Planning.

"With PIXO, there need be no sacrifices. It has many of the attributes of a larger car but with low emissions and excellent economy all at an extremely competitive price."

PIXO in detail
The birth of PIXO represents a collaboration with Suzuki Motor Corporation, enabling Nissan to bring PIXO to market as quickly as possible.

Built in state-of-the art facilities in Delhi, India, PIXO is a brand new four-seater competing in the fast growing A-segment. Unlike some of its immediate rivals, however, PIXO is far from a micro car. It has five doors to ease ingress and egress to and from the rear seats but remains sufficiently compact to be agile to be ideal for city driving.

PIXO is 3565 mm long, 1470 mm tall and 1600 mm wide. It has a wheelbase of 2360 mm. It weighs about 855 kg (depending on grade and specification), making it one of the lightest cars in its class, with resulting benefits in performance, fuel consumption and emissions.

The result offers ample interior space for four adults and their luggage. With the rear seats in place, load space is 129 litres (VDA).

Design
The PIXO's unique design elements include the front end styling, which features the Nissan family double-deck six slot grille either side of a centre U-shaped section housing the Nissan roundel. Either side of that is a pair of bold headlamps.

Following the lead set by Micra and NOTE, the top of the tall triangular-shaped headlamps are slightly raised so they can be easily seen from the driving seat to help the driver 'place' the car when parking. The light assemblies sit above a full width bumper bar, coloured black in contrast with the body colour. The bumper itself is located within a deep front spoiler incorporating an air intake.

Giving PIXO a visual dynamic edge, the beltline gently rises towards the rear of the car, where it wraps around the upswept rear side window. This is further accentuated by the lower swage line which links the extended wheel arches, underlining the car's wide footprint and long wheelbase.

The PIXO also has a distinctive downward sweep of the roofline towards the rear of the vehicle from its highest point just ahead of the B-Pillar. The large greenhouse helps outward visibility and ensures an airy interior.

At the rear, similar treatment to the front end sees a wide black-coloured bumper bar stretching the full width of the vehicle to give protection from bumps and scrapes. As with the front, one of the most striking styling features is the bold treatment of the light assemblies, helping to give PIXO a distinctive character. The entire bumper and lower valence section is unique to the Nissan version of the car.

The exterior story is completed by the split-spoke styling of the wheel covers on the standard 14 inch wheels, which are designed to make the wheels look like alloys... alloy wheels are available as an option, however.

Interior
With its roomy interior, PIXO is spacious, practical and comfortable. The instrument panel is comparatively simple in its layout, the two-tone grey/black treatment and modern styling match the air of sophistication of the car.

A single dial faces the driver and incorporates an easy-to-read conventional circular speedometer with digital read-outs for fuel level plus overall and trip mileages. The dashboard also incorporates a centre stack with integrated single DIN audio system and heating and ventilation (HVAC) controls. Fresh air vents can be found in the centre of the dash with two further vents at either end. When fitted, the air conditioning system comes with a pollen filter.

There's ample storage space, with an upper box ahead of the front seat passenger and a box and cup holder in the centre of the console ahead of the gear lever. There is a further practical cubbyhole -- this time illuminated -- in the middle of the stack above the HVAC controls.

Great attention has been paid to ensuring passenger comfort. The fabric-covered seats are wider than usually to be found in this class of car, and benefit from thicker seat cushions. The front seats have long slide bars making them easier to adjust and are covered with a subtle contrasting stripe pattern for their centre sections.

Grades and equipment
There will be two versions of PIXO available when sales start in the second quarter of 2009: Visia and Acenta. The entry grade Visia, includes power steering, anti-lock brakes, driver and passenger airbags, ISOFIX child seat fixings and a rear wiper. Other standard features include a rear parcel shelf, tilt adjustable steering column and no fewer than four cup holders -- two in the front and two in the rear.

Move up to Acenta grade and standard equipment also encompasses keyless entry with power locking, an MP3 compatible CD player, electric front windows, split folding rear seats, front fog lamps, and body coloured door handles and mirrors. The safety story is enhanced further by the inclusion of side airbags as standard.

Principal options include electronic stability control (ESP), manual air conditioning, curtain airbags, alloy wheels and metallic or pearlescent paint.

Drivetrain
There is just one engine option available for PIXO. It's powered by a compact 1.0-litre three-cylinder all-alloy 12-valve petrol unit developing 65 PS (48 kW) at 6,000rpm and 90 Nm at 4,000rpm.

More significant, however, are the exceptionally low fuel consumption and emissions figures. The five-speed manual version uses 4.6 l/100km on the combined cycle, 4.3 l/100km on the extra urban cycle and only 5.1 l/100km on the urban cycle. Equivalent figures for urban, extra urban and combined cycles are 55.4, 65.7 and 61.4 mpg. CO₂ emissions are just 103 g/km.

Unusually in this class, PIXO is also available with a full four-speed automatic, reinforcing its suitability as a town car that's perfectly capable of longer journeys when needed.

Chassis layout is a combination of tried and trusted components that provide stable handling with good ride comfort characteristics, especially when linked with a long wheelbase and 14 inch wheels. The front suspension uses a MacPherson struts while at the rear, a three link isolated trailing link arrangement can be found.

Power assisted rack and pinion steering is standard, while the braking system has front discs and rear drums with the latest anti-lock software. Electronic stability control (ESP) is an option.

Market
PIXO marks Nissan's first venture into the A-segment of the European market and its arrival coincides with a huge increase in sales. In France, for example, sales of A-segment cars sales jumped 36 per cent from January to June this year compared to the same period in 2007. Overall, the European market saw a rise of 30 per cent between 2005 and 2007. This was partly due to new models stimulating showroom traffic, but also can be linked to rising fuel prices and environmental concerns.

More than half of the cars sold in the segment produce between 60-70 PS. PIXO develops 65 PS, right in the heartland of the sector. And while the vast majority of the sales are of cars with manual transmission, that is more down to the lack of availability of an automatic than a lack of demand. With the option of a 'real' torque converter automatic, PIXO is perfectly placed to dominate a potentially lucrative niche within the sector. At launch, PIXO is expected to be Europe's most affordable automatic.

More importantly, however, are PIXO's low CO₂ emissions. At just 103 g/km, PIXO is currently among the most efficient petrol-powered cars in the segment,

"PIXO makes a strong environmental statement but also represents an affordable, city car. It will play a key role as part of a wider Nissan strategy to offer a broad selection of cars which are fuel efficient and low emitters," says Simon Thomas, Nissan's Senior Vice President for European Sales and Marketing.

Images : All new Nissan PIXO





[Source : NISSAN]