The Nissan BladeGlider concept has been revealed ahead of its official unveiling at next week’s Tokyo motor show, previewing a future rear-wheel-drive electric performance car.
More than a concept, Nissan says its BladeGlider is “both a proposal for the future direction of Nissan electric vehicle development and an exploratory prototype of an upcoming production vehicle”.
Taking design cues from the Nissan DeltaWing and ZEOD RC race cars, the road-going BladeGlider features a narrow, one metre-wide front track ahead of a wider rear end.
Powered by lithium-ion batteries – as used in the all-electric Nissan Leaf – the BladeGlider has a chassis wrapped in carbonfibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) and a carbonfibre underbody that creates enough downforce to eliminate the need for additional external wings.
According to the Japanese manufacturer, when the BladeGlider “matures” into a production car, “it could be Nissan’s first use of in-wheel motors”, which provide independently managed drive.
Inside, a three-seat cockpit with a McLaren F1-style centre driver’s seat joins an aircraft-type steering wheel and digital instrumentation.
Aimed at combining the feeling of gliding with the exhilaration of a racecar, Nissan Motorsport Innovation director Ben Bowlby said the BladeGlider road car should mirror the excitement of a racing car.
“I think there are elements we can bring from the race track to make these future road cars more exciting, more fulfilling and give greater driving pleasure,” Bowlby said.
The Nissan BladeGlider will be on show in Tokyo alongside the recently revealed second-generation Nissan Qashqai compact crossover from November 20.
