Nissan Land Glider Concept

 
Land Glider isn’t as fanciful as some of the names Nissan has hung on its concept cars over the years. Consider the 2001 Nails mini-pickup, or the 2005 Pivo urban transportation pod, with its turret-like rotating cabin, or the 2005 Zaroot, a miniature crossover. But if the Land Glider’s name lacks the zaniness that has distinguished so many Nissan dream cars, it nevertheless enjoys a couple important distinctions.

One, it’s an actual running prototype that’s part motorcycle, leaning into turns—up to 17 degrees—to reduce its turning radius.
Two, unlike so many show properties, it has a shot at production.

Nissan will officially unveil the Land Glider at the upcoming Tokyo auto show, which opens to the public on Friday, October 23.We expect to learn more when the car is officially introduced. In the meantime, here’s what we know now.
The Land Glider is a tiny tandem two-seater, 122.0 inches long, 43.3 inches wide, and 55.7 inches high, on an 85.8-inch wheelbase. The leaning cabin is controlled by an electric motor, its angle dictated by steering input, and the fenders are articulated to accommodate steering lock.
Propulsion is all electric, with a lithium-ion battery pack sending juice to a pair of electric motors, one for each rear wheel. Power output is unspecified, as is curb weight, but according to Ryusuke Hayashi, Nissan Advanced Product Planning, the car is capable of nearly 75 mph, with a potential battery range of 62 miles. The battery pack is readily replaceable from underneath.
The view out the rear is provided by a pair of tiny side-view cameras and looks to be pretty blind directly behind the little car. But the transparent canopy allows for an excellent view of the heavens.
Like any concept, the Land Glider exists to test public response. But Hayashi insists that the time may have come for a miniature zero-emissions urban transportation pod that doesn’t mind leftover parking, and that production is feasible. A goodly number of public charging stations have already been installed in Tokyo, and Nissan is making a serious commitment to electric cars, as evidenced by the 2011 Nissan Leaf EV.
Reports also indicate that the Land Glider is being considered as an addition to the automaker’s Infiniti luxury brand.
But don’t expect to see Land Gliders gliding on U.S. roads anytime soon. For one thing, Japanese crashworthiness regulations differ markedly from those in the U.S., and the Land Glider’s current rear structure wouldn’t make the grade.
For another, says Hayashi, “we don’t think America would be receptive to the tandem seating.” It’s not clear which part of America is in question in this regard, the passenger or the driver. If it’s the driver, and the passenger is his mother-in-law, Hayashi is probably right. Check back for updates and more coverage from the Tokyo show floor.