2010 Nissan Cube Revealed: Coming to U.S. in spring 2009

Nissan has unveiled the new third-generation Nissan Cube with launch events taking place today in Japan, United States and Europe. The new Nissan Cube for the global markets keeps its iconic “cubic” styling from previous generations which is basically boxy and boring (some may find it attractive since it’s ‘different’).

Sales of the new 2010 Nissan Cube will begin on Nov. 26 in Japan. The North American market will get their allocation in spring of 2009 followed by the European market in fall of 2009. Pricing begins at 1,449,000 yen ($14,968 USD) for the 2WD model and 1,687,350 yen ($17,433 USD) for the 4WD model.

We have yet to hear anything about powertrain and other technical specifications – but we’ll let you know as soon as we find out. Until then follow the jump for a list of ‘Key Features.’

Click through for the high-res image gallery.

2010 Nissan Cube:

   

Nissan Cube Key Features:

    – Iconic Cube styling – recognizable at a glance
    – Spacious Cube interior – designed for comfort and relaxation
    – Innovative Cube packaging – for easy, relaxed driving

 
 1. Design

      Exterior
          – A “witty” design with a wide stance that communicates stability and agility
          – An expressive personality that wins over consumers’ hearts
          – Windows designed for an expansive view, especially at the rear corners
          – An asymmetric rear hatch, continuing the Cube’s unique character
          – “Picture windows” that charmingly frame the passengers
          – An extensive lineup of 10 available body colors, including Craft Board, a Nissan first, and two other new colors

      Interior
      A relaxing space that brings people together
          – An open cabin, conceived with the image of a Jacuzzi
          – A curve-shaped instrument panel
          – High-precision “Fine Vision” instrumentation
          – A “skylight”-style glass panel roof that keeps the sky always visible from the driver’s seat, and a shoji-style shade to diffuse sunlight, when desired, and fill the cabin with gentle light
          – Comfortable, secure seating with thick seat cushions and matching door armrests for a sofa-like effect
          – A “water drop” ripple design motif in cupholders and other cabin details
 
 2. Packaging
      Ample space throughout the cabin, including rear seat headroom and knee room
          – The front seat slides 12 millimeters farther (than the previous generation) and lifts up to 60mm, allowing optimum posture for people of any size
          – Excellent all-around visibility, with the entire engine hood visible from the driver’s seat
          – Large side and rear quarter windows that help reduce both side and rear blind spots
          – The tightest turning radius in its class at 4.6 meters (except the 15G)
          – Large front door openings, which allow more headroom (than the previous generation) and easy entry and exit
          – Theater-style rear seating that broadens the view from the rear seats and a more rearward rear-seat hip point, which significantly increases knee room
 
 3. Utility
      A large cabin space for comfort and relaxation
          – In addition to the cushiness of the seat pads, S-springs give the seats a greater depth and a sofa-like feel
          – Side-opening rear hatch, which allows easy one-hand operation
          – The rear seats slide 20mm farther forward, providing greater luggage area flexibility (than the previous generation)
          * Fashionable and functional storage spaces, including cupholders with the “water drop” ripple motif
          – A CARWINGS navigation system that features a high-resolution monitor and hard disk drive, as well as a built-in tuner that receives 12- or 1-segment broadcasting with automatic switching, and a state-of-the-art map-updating system
          – Nissan’s first AM/FM/CD combo with a RearView Monitor
          – Push button starter
          – A Nissan Intelligent Key system, which provides enhanced theft-prevention with an electronic steering lock and engine immobilizer linked to the key ID
 

 4. Mechanism
      A body designed for safety and high performance
          – The platform design minimizes mechanical space, including for the engine, transmission and suspension, and creates a roomy cabin and easy handling in an attractive, compact package
          – A wide stance, resulting from moving the wheels to the corners; allows for sharp cornering and a turning radius of just 4.6 meters
          – A more rigid body (than the previous generation), which allows for more stable operation and a comfortable ride
          – A strut front suspension and torsion I-beam rear suspension with improved camber rigidity, driving comfort and stability
      Smooth and responsive
          – The new Cube employs an all-aluminum front-intake, rear-exhaust 1.5-liter HR15DE engine, known for low fuel consumption, compactness, low weight and impressive performance
          – All Cubes equipped with the e-4WD system feature a standard XTRONIC CVT with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) for smoother performance
          – The new Cube’s major improvements in fuel efficiency and aerodynamics increase comfort and help conserve energy
          – Better aerodynamics increase fuel-efficiency by two percent in the high-speed range (compared with the previous Cube)
          – In 2WD models, the CVT oil warmer helps improve fuel-efficiency when the engine is cold (immediately after engine start or when ambient temperatures are low)

Other technologies for safety and environmental protection

    – An auto-light system, which is more sensitive than conventional systems, turns the Cube’s lights on automatically when it detects dimming light around the car (such as at twilight or when the windshield wipers turn on)
    – The first Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) option for a Nissan compact (2WD models only)
    – Optimum lighting with multi-reflector halogen headlights
    – Available bi-xenon headlights (with high and low-beam auto-leveler)
    – RearView Monitor
    – Rear adjustable-cycle wiper
    – Center High Mount Stop Lamp (CHMSL)
    – Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
    – Brake Assist (BA)
    – Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD)
    – Highly rigid Zone Body Construction
    – Body designed to minimize pedestrian injuries
    – SRS air bag system for front seats
    – SRS curtain air bag system
    – Front-seat Active Head Restraints
    – Driver’s-seat double-pre-tensioned seat belt
    – Pre-tensioned seat belts with two-stage load-limiters for front seats
    – Rear seat headrests (three positions)
    – Low-friction seat belts for all seats
    – Three-point seat belts with Emergency Locking Retractors (ELRs) for rear seats (self-rising buckles for three seats)
    – All 2WD and “15X Four” e-4WD versions of the new Cube achieve the 2010 standard for fuel-efficiency plus 20 percent
    – All Cube versions are certified as super-low-emission vehicles (SU-LEVs), achieving emission-cutting goals for 2005 plus 75 percent
    – Over 95 percent recyclable*
    – Reduced volatile organic compound usage in the cabin
    – Fuel-consumption display (instant fuel consumption, average fuel consumption and likely cruising range)

MSRP Range in Japan (tax included)