Small But Substantial, Spirited But Economical, All-New Third Generation Cube’s Asymmetrical Design and Lounge-Style Interior Provide Unexpected Charm and Utility

Huey Lewis once sang “It’s hip to be square.” Few believed him. Mathletes wax poetic about the superior geometric efficiencies of a cube in terms of volume v. surface area. And get little respect. Cavemen discovered that a round stone rolls better than a square one. And, as a consequence, gave birth to the traffic jam. In 1998, Nissan introduced the original Cube, an aptly named box-on-wheels, to minor consumer interest. Perhaps, like homo erectus, the Cube was simply ahead of its time.

But times change, and so did the Cube. In 2002, an all-new second generation Nissan Cube was introduced in the Japanese market. More spacious inside, more glass outside, more power under the hood and, more importantly, a few more angles and curved surface details added to its compact, slab-sided exterior. Quintessentially Japanese, this new Cube took Tokyo by storm. A pocket-sized fun-and-function cocktail mixing the charm of Godzilla and the wit of Mothra, buyers were smitten. And so, it turns out, Huey was right after all.

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ike the Nissan GT-R before it, the Nissan Cube soon found an audience outside of Japan – not in person, but through its exposure in fashion and automotive magazines, videos and on the Web.

Reboot to today, more than 10 years since its original appearance, and the Nissan Cube is ready to meet the world in person, coming to America in spring 2009 in an all-new, dramatically rethought third generation design that is clever, quirky, witty, fun and uniquely functional. And still totally square.

More than just unique geometry, however, the new 2009 Nissan Cube is also conceived as a totally different take on an automobile – a car that doesn’t want to be defined as car. “With its unique blend of fashion and function, Cube imagines a life less ordinary,” said Al Castignetti, vice president, Sales, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA). “Cube is as much of a Mobile Device as it is an automobile, something that enhances life like people’s digital devices do. Cube is a vehicle that people of all ages can fall in love with, even when they don’t love cars.”

Though its uniquely styled, asymmetrical body makes a standout statement against the backdrop of today’s look-alike entry-level vehicles, Cube presents a range of strong rational arguments for purchase as well.

Along with its projected fuel economy of over 30 mph Highway (equipped with the CVT transmission, actual EPA estimates not available at this time), Cube offers an alphabet of standard safety equipment – including an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), six air bags (including front, side and curtain supplemental air bags) and front seat Active Head Restraints.

“The new Nissan Cube is not, by any measure, a pure ‘youth car,’ though it especially meets the needs of young adults’ lives in the sense that it is social, expressive and practical,” said Castignetti. “And like many entry-level vehicles, Cube will be purchased by young consumers with the help or influence of their parents. We believe the combination of value, fuel economy and safety will be especially reassuring to parents involved in such decisions.”

The all-new 2009 Nissan Cube builds on the previous generation Cube’s non-traditional design with an improved stance and an added sense of dynamic movement. With Cube’s long wheelbase relative to its overall length (a 99.6-inch wheelbase against a 156.7-inch overall length) and wide track, the wheels, in effect, are pushed out to each corner – providing exceptional space utilization and a confident-looking stance that has been compared to a “bulldog in sunglasses.”

“The designers, engineers and planners’ effort and passion in creating the next generation Cube was unheard of – perhaps only exceeded in recent memory by that of the Nissan GT-R development team,” said Castignetti. “They were constantly drawing, cartooning, adding thoughts and ideas, which is how the image of the bulldog emerged and evolved. This was not a traditional development process.”

Along with its stance, the “incognito canine” look is aided by the wide headlights and grille treatment, the small but substantial body proportions and the short “tail” section. In the rear, the bar-type taillights reinforce the wide, anchored feel. The Cube’s creators also sought to maintain a sense of “pure design,” reducing the number of character lines to give simplicity and freshness to the styling.

Another unique aspect of the Cube’s exterior is the greenhouse. The A-pillars are positioned far outward and relatively upright, giving a wider range of forward visibility. The front door windows utilize a “photo frame” design patterned after a personal photo frame, while the asymmetrical wraparound side/rear window creates enhanced rear diagonal visibility for lane changes and reverse parking.

“The ‘geometric circle shape in the square’ rear window is Cube’s signature,” said Castignetti. “Though there are D-pillars on both sides of the Cube, the visual effect of the narrower passenger-side pillar is quite remarkable in the overall appearance, a look aided by the asymmetrical back door.”

Unlike typical top-hinged or clamshell-style utility rear doors, Cube features an easy-access refrigerator-style opening, which makes it possible to open or close it even if parked tight against other cars in parallel parking spaces or when backed in against a wall or other obstacle.

The back door opens fully when space allows for loading groceries, luggage or large-sized objects – or to a limited-access position (about eight inches) when space is restricted for retrieving or loading a backpack or other small objects. The one-hand door handle operation is designed for easy use, even while carrying things in the other hand or arm.

The 2009 Nissan Cube is available in eight mild-to-wild exterior colors: Chrome Silver, Steel Grey, Bitter Chocolate, Scarlet Red, Caribbean Blue, Moss Green, Super Black and White Pearl.

The centerpiece of the new Cube’s universal appeal is its “social space” – the surprisingly roomy interior that offers room for five in a lounge-like comfort. “Cube is not wasteful in terms of its footprint, carbon or physical. It creates a third space, in addition to home and school, for interacting with friends. It’s a space that is highly changeable and adaptable to owners evolving lives, with plenty of room for personalization,” said Castignetti.

Cube’s clever, inspired and surprisingly open occupant space was conceived with a “Jacuzzi Curve” layout and “floating meter pod” driver’s area. It combines “casual lounge”-style passenger seating with a relaxed driving experience. The interactive interior is anchored by its curve-themed architecture, such as the subtle wavy shaping of the instrument panel, door panels, seat shapes, armrests and the iconic circular/oval shapes of elements ranging from air conditioning vents, door pulls and climate controls.

The comfortable Cube seating includes 6-way manual driver’s seat and 4-way manual front passenger’s seat, along with a “lounge sofa” style sliding rear bench seat.

The reclining rear seat can be adjusted to three positions – full rearward (providing ample legroom), mid-position (3.9 inches forward) or front position (6.0 inches forward). The rear seat also is positioned higher than the front seats, theater style, enhancing rear passenger comfort and visibility.

“In some ways, the Cube is like the big cardboard appliance boxes you used to play in as a kid – they could be clubhouses, race cars, forts, whatever your mood and imagination wanted at the time,” said Castignetti. “The new Cube’s interior leaves room for imagination and personalization, yet also starts with a solid functional purpose.”

Cube’s stress-free driving experience is the result of a number of factors: an extremely tight 32.8-foot curb-to-curb turning radius, a tall seating position made possible by the tall body height, an extremely short hood “invisible length” (the area of the hood panel that the driver is unable to see) and the good rear visibility for parking and backing up.

“Our studies show that one of the most stressful aspects for young or inexperienced drivers is parking, particularly parallel parking,” said Castignetti. “Cube is extremely adaptable to parking environments in terms of its compact exterior dimensions, good visibility and easy steering.”

Other interior features include the “floating pod” instrument panel with asymmetrical light blue and white gauges, which are designed to make it easier to distinguish between the speedometer and the tachometer. The gauge needles “sweep” when the engine is started to add a sense of flair, while the gradation effect gives a natural ambience similar to the glow of the white moon and the blue earth. Sub-gauges are concentrated for enhanced visibility. The three-spoke steering wheel is available with leather wrapping and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.