REPORT: Nissan Land Glider could come to the States as an Infiniti
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Oct 19th 2009 at 3:32PM 
Nissan Land Glider Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Concept cars tend to push the boundaries of what is and isn't possible with a four-wheeled vehicle. Such is the case with the Nissan Land Glider -- a 47-inch cross between a motorcycle and a car, with an enclosed cabin, a glass canopy and passenger compartment that leans into turns for added stability -- going on display this week at the Tokyo Motor Show. Usually, such far-out-there concepts make the auto show circuit before being abandoned somewhere in the corner of a dark, dingy warehouse, but perhaps not this one.
According to Automotive News, there are some inside the Japanese automaker that suggest the fully electric car could slot into the company's upmarket Infiniti lineup, possibly even making it to the United States. If that happens, the Land Glider may be a single-seater, as the concept's single rear passenger perch may not make it through safety testing.
We'd be pretty surprised to see a production Infiniti Land Glider that keeps the concept's unique layout, but it certainly wouldn't be the only strange-looking eco-friendly automobile to hit the market. We'll see...
Gallery: Nissan Land Glider Concept
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kooshball 3:43PM (10/19/2009)
keep the price low and this would be a kick-ass commuting replacement for my crotch rocket. not as much fun in the twisties i'm sure but way more useful year round. too bad there's not much potential in modifying an EV for speed...
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ytilanigiroon 3:48PM (10/19/2009)
If it's coming to the states as an Infinity, count on it being 35k-45k...
mikhalian 4:18PM (10/19/2009)
tell that to the guys racing em down the 1320. There's no aftermarket now, but if they catch on there surely will be. There's all kinds of angles to exploit to improve the performance of these things, from batteries (lower weight, higher cap, quicker discharge), to motors (LOTS of variables and approaches here), to the battery management system (which could be tuned through firmware updates or flatout replaced).
If anything, electric vehicles will likely usher in a whole new opprotunity to trailblaze into the performance market, just like when gas powered cars first started racing.
waiownsyou 3:49PM (10/19/2009)
Keep that Battlestar Galatica steering wheel and I'll be first in line at the dealership!
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Rock Singer 3:52PM (10/19/2009)
Ah yes... broadside me with a Peter Built !!!
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larry raines 3:57PM (10/19/2009)
fear-monger
WilliamInPDX 5:11PM (10/19/2009)
I'd bet the idea of a bicycle scares you senseless!
Rock Singer 5:59PM (10/19/2009)
Yeah thats right and I'm also scared of walking in the crosswalk and being hit by some drunken nut.
Erik 3:51PM (10/19/2009)
Not gonna happen
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Nellydesign 4:17PM (10/19/2009)
Seconded. Not in a million years.
geo.stewart 4:37PM (10/19/2009)
oh, Come ON!
just look at how well the 2-seat Smart is doing in the US!
zamafir 7:19PM (10/19/2009)
@geo.stewart
I see what you did there.
Tony 3:54PM (10/19/2009)
I appreciate the fact that Infiniti/Nissan is taking chances, but the I don't understand why anyone would buy this vehicle. It is not as nimble as a motorbike, spacious as a mini/smart(unless they include a rear seat), and will probably cost a fair amount to produce. Plus I don't understand anyone would want this awkward looking EV, when they can have a Aptera which IMO is way cooler and doesn't look as dorky.
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KC 3:59PM (10/19/2009)
Easy to fathom. For Infiniti, this 75+ mpg "car" can offset the fleet average as the brand climbs the hp war and luxury hierarchy ladder. For customers, this car is a perfect second car for commute.
Kooshball 4:15PM (10/19/2009)
the Aptera is way cooler/less dorky? it's the Ambiguously-Gay-Duo-Mobile in reverse :D i know this isn't the sexiest vehicle out there, but to me at least, i prefer its look to a chopped Cessna.
my belief about the appeal, at least to myself being a motorcyclist/car guy, is that it'll be tons more safe, useful year-round, and way quieter than riding a bike, but WAY more fun and fuel-efficient than driving a car. storage space will suck, true, but my sportbike can barely hold two packs of cigarettes by itself, so i find the measly 10 cubic feet in my car totally livable.
amnigo 3:55PM (10/19/2009)
Yeah, this really fits in with Infiniti's brand image...
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Aprime 4:09PM (10/19/2009)
Just like the car it will be tilting, if you know what I mean. ;v
Chubaka 4:02PM (10/19/2009)
So basically, this is their way to justify adding a 5-10k premium. Wonderful.
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LaserRed38 4:11PM (10/19/2009)
Cute driver...
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fixitfixitstop 4:18PM (10/19/2009)
see "GM Lean Machine".
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