Nissan BladeGlider brings cutting edge Intelligent Mobility to life
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled the working prototype of its futuristic Nissan BladeGlider vehicle, combining zero-emissions with high-performance in a revolutionary sports car design.
The vehicles, developed from concept cars very first shown at the Tokyo Auto Demonstrate in 2013, have arrived in Brazil to symbolize future technologies that will combine Intelligent Mobility, environmentally friendly influence and sports-car driving capabilities.
Carlos Ghosn, president and chief executive officer, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. said: “These prototypes epitomize Nissan’s drive to expand its Intelligent Mobility strategy, where driving pleasure combines with environmental responsibility. Nissan believes that enthusiasts should look forward to a zero emission future and Nissan BladeGlider is a ideal demonstration of that. It’s the electrical vehicle for car paramours.”
The debut of the Nissan Bladeglider prototypes forms part of Nissan’s on-going commitment to the development of zero-emission vehicles and fresh automotive technologies including autonomous drive systems and connectivity. Nissan already sells the world’s highest-volume zero-emission car, the LEAF, and is pioneering Intelligent Mobility systems that will be deployed in a range of vehicles over coming years.
With the Nissan Bladeglider, Nissan’s vision was for an agile, efficient EV that would provide fresh dimensions of driving joy and excitement – a car that would “slide,” thanks to the near-silent spectacle of its electrified powertrain and aerodynamic form.
After two years of work on design, engineering and development, Nissan BladeGlider has evolved further into an titillating, real-life investigate into the potential of advanced EV spectacle. Nissan BladeGlider epitomizes Intelligent Mobility, a philosophy to make its cars more titillating by redefining how they are driven, powered and integrated into society.
The demonstration models feature an advanced chassis configuration with a narrow front track and broader rear track for optimum aerodynamic efficiency and treating stability.
High-waisted, rear-hinged dihedral doors provide a dramatic entry and exit to the cabin. The open roof of Nissan BladeGlider is reinforced with an integrated roll-over protection structure, providing the exhilaration of an open-topped race car with the safety of a coupe.
Wheel-mounted controls for Nissan BladeGlider’s systems feed into an advanced display showcasing speed, state of battery charge, regeneration mode and torque map. Flanking the central display are two screens, with the photos of rear-view cameras mounted just behind the front wheels. An alternative to door-mounted mirrors, this dual screen design improves the aerodynamic efficiency of Nissan BladeGlider. The driver sits in arrowhead formation slightly in front of two passengers, who love extended legroom. The view for all occupants is panoramic thanks to the seamless cockpit windscreen.
Power is one hundred percent electrical, with exceptional powertrain spectacle delivered by Nissan’s technical playmate for the Nissan BladeGlider project, UK-based Williams Advanced Engineering. Maximum speed of the demonstration models is in excess of 190km/h*, with 0-100km/h taking less than five seconds*. The rear wheels’ drive is provided by two 130kW electrified motors – one for each wheel.
The system features torque vectoring, controlling the torque delivered to the driven wheels, improving the treating even further. With torque vectoring, if the car starts to understeer, it automatically sends more torque to the outside wheel to restore the treating balance.
Designed to add to the driving practice rather than govern it, the torque vectoring system has three settings: off, agile and drift mode.
Power is supplied by a high spectacle, five module lithium-ion 220kW battery. Bespoke cooling systems have been developed for both the battery and the motors.
The interior of the Nissan BladeGlider reflects the vehicles’ sporting intentions, with four point safety harnesses for each occupant. The seats suggest exceptional support to sides and gams of the driver and passengers. The seats are trimmed in a very tactile blend of fabric and epoxy resin decorating, resulting in a rough and grippy material that has the effect of conveniently securing occupants in place.
Two color trims – Cyber Green and Stealth Orange – are used for the upper portions of the seat back and framed with a silver reflective material to create an eye-catching, sporty look. The base of the seats is in black, patterned material, with a band of green and orange trim framing the cushion.
Two Nissan BladeGliders will be introduced in Rio de Janeiro in August. One will be on static display in Rio while the 2nd will be suggesting dynamic rails to media and VIPs.
Nissan BladeGlider key statistics