We already know that the Nissan Cube is due for a redesign, and that version, due out later this year, is the one we'll be getting here in the States in 2009. While the Denki Cube concept that bowed in New York gave us an indication of what to expect, it's taken another bit of leakage out of Nissan HQ to see the new Cube fully realized. Compared to the current Cube, this revised version is slightly more smoothed out, while still retaining the boxy shape we've come to know and love. If Nissan can avoid pulling an xB (adding more weight, an unresponsive engine and killing the fun factor), the new Cube might fit the bill for those of us looking for a vehicle that strikes a balance between practicality and flickability.
[Source: 7tune]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Shakatar @ May 15th 2008 8:31AM
Nah. The charm is gone.
Josh @ May 15th 2008 8:34AM
That's disappointing if that's the redesign.
FThorn @ May 15th 2008 8:42AM
Too big. I like that VW tandem motorcycle/car that gets 230 MPG. Though, that's too powerful. :)
LMBVette @ May 15th 2008 8:45AM
Cool? Hardly.
Rick @ May 15th 2008 1:32PM
*knods head in agreement*
Rick @ May 15th 2008 1:32PM
*oops, nods*
TBlueMax @ May 15th 2008 8:51AM
Unfortunately, the design direction appears to have moved from automotive sculpture to car toy. Need to see all the angles but I must admit I'm a bit disappointed.
Hiro11 @ May 15th 2008 9:06AM
Hmmm. To break with the herd, I love the look. This car seems to be perfect for suburban dads of two young kids who have relatively long highway commutes, enjoy Miyazaki movies and need good gas mileage. Admittedly a small demographic, but we are out there. I need a new car next year, I'll be considering this one seriously.
geo.stewart @ May 15th 2008 11:03AM
dont get the movie reference but yeah, this vehicle market hits the demographic you mentioned. didnt want the inefficiencies or space, weight, and gas mileage of an SUV but needed more than what a compact sedan offered.
HHR to the rescue. my two girls fit in it better than in the Jetta and configurable cargo room as needed. and contrary to the teenagers, the new xB fits that bill better than the toy that was the xB. if you want something tossable, a box with an anemic motor isnt your best bet anyway.
iSpec @ May 15th 2008 9:10AM
Friggin' brutal!
DCragtop @ May 15th 2008 9:20AM
Hardly able to be a called a 'cube' now can it?
almost looks like they are incorporating that silly bubble car from a few years back. You know, the one that pivots. yuk (imo)
Dirk @ May 15th 2008 9:29AM
That is not cube shaped at all. It's all rounded out. It looks more like a PT Cruiser or the XB2.
We were all waiting for the original BOXY Cube to get over here because Toyota/Scion goofed big time when they stopped selling the original xB. Their sales have dropped off the planet.
People want more boxy. Smaller. Less curves.
alex T. @ May 15th 2008 9:47AM
Now its just an amorphous blob! get it together Nissan
tankd0g @ May 15th 2008 10:05AM
A Nissan HHR, just what we need.
onephatcow @ May 15th 2008 11:28AM
Who melted my Cube!!!! :(
James @ May 15th 2008 11:33AM
I guess I don't really understand the previous comments.
From what I see, the design direction of the new vehicle doesn't look like very much of a departure from the current generation vehicle, which took design cues from 1950s American refrigerators and was always more "rounded" than "cubic" anyway.
I quite like it, and the almost ovular-shaped windows give it an extra splash of character.
As long as they don't make it too much bigger than the last gen (which I doubt they will, seeing as how it's such a hit in so many markets outside the US), I'm sure they'll sell plenty.
tuna @ May 15th 2008 12:03PM
Don't mind them. Thankfully Autoblog comments isn't an accurate indicator of how well a car will do in the marketplace. Even among this select few, I've seen opinions change as frequently as the wind.
You know how the old saying goes... opinions are like ___, and most of them are stinky. Human nature to pass [uninformed] judgement.
Mr. Wiggles @ May 15th 2008 12:20PM
Looks okay. The determining factor will be the transmission choices available, though. If it's CVT only, then it's totally off my "might purchase" list.
gerald @ May 15th 2008 11:40PM
Considering the current generation of Cube never offered anything but autos and CVTs (with a column shift at that), the next one probably isn't going to be any different in that regard. That's part of the reason the Cube is so roomy.
Personally, I like this new Cube rendering. It looks like a bar of whittled soap.
Eek @ May 15th 2008 1:11PM
Didn't like the first Cube and I don't like this one.