Japan's biggest eco-goods show, Eco-Products 2008, will be the first public appearance of Nissan's new prototype electric Cube (above); the X-TRAIL Clean Diesel SUV will also be there. The show runs today through Saturday in Tokyo at the Big Sight. The EV-02 test car, base on the standard Cube, uses lithium ion batteries. The Nissan display at the show will also show an idea for "non-contact charging" of those cells. As for the clean diesel X-TRAIL, the SUV is on sale in Japan and Eco-Products visitors will be invited to take it for a test drive.

Nissan's other big display will show off its CARWINGS Eco-Driving Service. In development for almost two years, CARWINGS is designed to apply real-time traffic information to its database of historical traffic information and show the driver the most fuel-efficient route to a destination. Like many other systems, CARWINGS also gives advice on how to change driving habits for better fuel economy.

[Source: Nissan]

Click the Denki Cube for a high res gallery.

The Denki Cube from Nissan uses new laminated lithium ion batteries from Nissan's joint venture with NEC stashed below the floor and rear seat. Just as long as those batteries stay, we could do without the lightning-pattern grillework, dressed-up headlamps, and hole-punch patterns on the front and rear bumper covers. Even with those fasion question marks, this one ranks pretty high on our list due to its small size and the fact that it's likely to actually make it to market.


On to Number 6.

Click image for a high-res gallery of the Nissan Denki Cube concept

Yesterday, the Financial Times reported that Nissan will unveil its electric Denki Cube concept in New York. Based on the standard Cube minicar, the Denki (Japanese for "electric") shows that Nissan is also looking at the market viability of EVs. It's not alone, as Subaru will be showing its R1e and Mitsubishi will display its i MiEV along with the i MiEV Sport concept.

We don't yet have official details on the Denki Cube, but photos tell a lot of the story, and as is the case so often in the runup to auto shows, those photos have hit the web this morning. The Super Nissans forum has accelerated the unveiling schedule for Nissan, breaking the embargo and posting the shots you see here. Visually, the Denki Cube is finished in white with lightning-pattern grillework, dressed-up headlamps, and hole-punch patterns on the front and rear bumper covers (the taillamps show through those rear openings). Solid wheel covers with square centers complete the exterior makeover. Inside, the standard interior gets a swanky new instrument panel, but the layout is essentially unchanged. Yellow seats and trim highlight the otherwise white cabin.

We'll bring you live shots and complete details following the car's official unveiling tomorrow! A series of customized Cubes will also be unveiled for the first time, and we'll be on hand to provide full coverage.


[Source: SuperNissans.net]