Nissan's Nuvu: electric, cartoonish

Nissan's Nuvu is making its debut this week at the Paris motor show, and while it isn't the all-electric vehicle that the company has promised for 2010, it's a step in the right direction. Resembling something from a Pixar movie, the Nuvu has that special mix of "vaguely futuristic" and "somewhat impractical" that we look for in a concept car: it's less than ten feet long, seats three (un)comfortably and the space behind the driver is claimed by what looks like an end table with a conduit extending to the ceiling. Many of the cabin materials are either recycled or made from organic materials and since the vehicle is electric, it should be whisper quiet -- offering maximum clarity for your Medeski, Martin and Wood CDs. More photos at the read link.

[allan @ Oct 2nd 2008 3:57PM]

death trap.......

[Boarderwoot @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:08PM]

Only because of all the dumb ass soccer moms who won't give up their Escalades. We've gone over this before. The trend towards smaller cars in the States is increasing but not even close to where it needs to be.

[kjb434 @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:22PM]

Why does it need to be?

Whatever happened to freedom? If you want to drive something big and uses a lot of gas, shouldn't that be your prerogative?

If people want to drive small un-safe cars, let them. I don't see 18-wheelers getting smaller either in the US or in Europe.

[El Taco @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:30PM]

"Only because of all the dumb ass soccer moms who won't give up their Escalades."

lol thats exactly what my drivers ed teacher said

[Wolfticket @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:37PM]

Small doesn't necessary mean it performs badly in an accident.
See ncap/top gear bit (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=k0kB2SqZqZ0)

[Lowest Ranked @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:38PM]

kjb@ Should it be my perogative to shoot authors of dumbass comments like you? Its my freedom isn't it?

[Dee @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:41PM]

People shouldn't drive cars to increase their chances of surviving a wreck, they should just drive better. Having a false sense of security (bigger car) is no excuse for driving carelessly.

[jorvay @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:45PM]

@kjb434

You don't always have the freedom to choose what to drive. On private property, sure, but the roads are owned and maintained by the government, and in turn, by the people. If the majority of people don't want large, inefficient, dangerous vehicles on the roads that the people own, then they shouldn't be there.

Your freedoms end when your actions negatively affect others. You are free to live your life, but not if living your life includes murdering someone. Not if your life includes stealing from someone. And some would argue: not if your life includes excessively poisoning the air we all have to breathe.

American society is based on ownership. None of us own the air we breathe and use every day, which makes it difficult to fit into the capitalist model. I'm not suggesting that capitalism is wrong, just that we have to work together to address those things, such as our atmosphere, that don't fit easily into the model.

[jorvay @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:53PM]

Oh, and for the record, eight months ago I walked away from my car after rolling it over on one of the busiest highways in the world (highway 401 between Toronto, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec). It was a Hyundai Accent; a compact car. Turns out that good engineering trumps size...just look at the Consumers Reports on different car models and safety ratings...I did before I chose to buy my Accent.

[BigD145 @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:01PM]

I should be free to go around and shoot bleach into everyone's veins, shouldn't I? Isn't this a free country?

[EricC @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:41PM]

@ Boarderwoot:

You're absolutely right. I don't know what I was thinking when I decided to grow to such a tall height and above-average build. It's entirely my fault that I could just about wear this car as a roller skate. I'll be certain to tell my kids to stop growing when they reach puberty so they can fit in the cars that Boarderwoot says they should.

Thank you for helping me see the light. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to have surgery to make me smaller so I can get rid of my Evil SUV™ and buy that...thing.

[collegekid13 @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:49PM]

small cars aren't death traps. i rolled a 99 sunfire doing 100(km/h)+ four times and went over a hill (on a snowy night) and walked away. Bruises were the only damage to me

[Silvio @ Oct 2nd 2008 9:08PM]

It's like riding Apa (from Avatar). Does it fly?

[josh @ Oct 3rd 2008 2:09PM]

death trap?

How in the world a car can be a death trap? just who is driving the car? it self? no car in the world is a death trap. ppl who drives them are the death trap. and by all means you know im right.

[happy_penguin @ Oct 2nd 2008 6:38PM]

You people confuse freedom with rights.

[HektikLyfe @ Oct 2nd 2008 6:57PM]

I agree that this thing is a death trap but feel it would more than make up for that with a horn that sounds like this.

AAHHHHOOOOOOOOOGAAAAAAH!

[macserv @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:24PM]

@boarderwoot: Yeah because when those damned soccer moms stop buying SUVs, we can finally stop worrying about about tractor-trailers, tankers, construction vehicles, city buses, trams, telephone poles, trees, dividers, and guardrails. I'm sure there would also be no more high winds, torrential rains, icy surfaces, or slipstream currents that can play havoc with a light vehicle like this.

RRRRGH WHEN WILL THOSE SOCCER MOMS LEARN!?

[loosely_coupled @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:45PM]

I think we should just add a big fat tax on new vehicles over a certain size/weight (I'm talking about personal vehicles only -- NOT commercial vehicles) to get people to quit buying huge SUVs that make the road more dangerous for everyone else. Seriously, once the SUV trend started, then no one wants to be on the road with smaller lighter weight cars! You would think gas prices would do the trick, but now they are even making hybrid versions of escalades! The horror! We need to shut that down!

[no, thank you @ Oct 2nd 2008 7:08PM]

\( ^ o^)/~ Kawaii ~

[Tony @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:04PM]

Yeah, but as cute as it is, I don't think I could ever take the person who drove that car seriously.

[Reader @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:25PM]

Who cares, as long as she's really hot.

[BigD145 @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:02PM]

Yes. It also seems to have plenty of head room, which is good when you're over 6 foot tall.

[Backlin @ Oct 2nd 2008 3:58PM]

Does Mickey Mouse drive this car?

And yeah, it does look like a death trap.

[no_one @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:24PM]

No it's Chip 'n Dale mobile,
sadly it can't possibly be used by normal
people for whole lota reasons.

[paul-engadget @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:01PM]

you don't get them in the USA, but this car is closely reminiscent of the Nissan Micra sold here in the UK. The Micra is definitely a love it or hate it shape, I tend to the latter. This Nuvu looks quite a lot nicer, despite its cartoon cuddly look!

the biggest problem with these small cars is that whilst they can make them very tough, there's insufficient crumple zone to make a severe impact survivable by the occupants - the car might be intact but the high G forces will kill or maim. In the USA where large cars, trucks and SUVs are far more common, there's a much higher chance that a traffic accident will involve a Nuvu and a much larger solid object!

[paul-engadget @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:03PM]

here's the official website of the Micra: http://www.nissan-offers.co.uk/compact/micra/micra-visia-1.2-3dr-335.html

[Surur @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:07PM]

"there's insufficient crumple zone to make a severe impact survivable by the occupants - the car might be intact but the high G forces will kill or maim"

Hey, that means all these cars need are external air bags, activated by collision avoidance sensors. With sufficient size of airbags they could end up being a lot safer than even larger cars!

[tasteslikechicken @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:09PM]

It does look like there is little crumple room. BUT remember that a lot of the visual crumple room in a standard car is an engine and it's engine mounts do not crumple. This car has an electric motor which is much much smaller for the same amount of power as an internal combustion engine. Nissan may also be building this car out of carbon fiber which, if shaped correctly, can deform very regularly and make a car much safer for a given amount of room and weight. Despite their size SUV's are not all that safe, their high center of gravity is a serious problem in an accident, a former housemate of mine hit an SUV at about 35 mph in a honda civic, both cars were destroyed, no one was hurt, but the SUV rolled over (side, top, side 270 degrees). The only accident the SUV is safer in is a head on collision (very rare), it's much more dangerous to be in a rollover accident (which is much more likely in a SUV or Van). So, bigger == safer is largely mythology.

58% of the vehicle occupants killed in 2003 were not wearing seat belts, most of the additional vehicle occupant deaths were in SUV and van rollovers.

[xerxesdaphat @ Oct 2nd 2008 7:19PM]

I agree, looks a hell of a lot like the Nissan Micra. We get it in NZ too.

I wouldn't drive one, although my girlfriend thinks they're cute. I like having them on the road though, they're dead narrow, makes it easier to lane-split with my motorbike.

The association between small cars and death-traps seems to be an American pre-occupation. Perhaps a triumph of the American motor manufacturers' marketing?

[novel @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:04PM]

looks better than a smart car

[Ekauq @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:16PM]

doesn't take much

[kjb434 @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:24PM]

A pair rollerblades look better than a smart car. You might as well just get in a wheel barrel and go down the freeway.

[CraigJ @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:34PM]

yeah, and probably gets better mileage too...

[thedesolate1 @ Oct 3rd 2008 12:50AM]

This is definitely refreshing compared to the other abominations of god that we have seen dubbed "Electric Vehicles". With the exception of course of Tesla models.

[eric f. @ Oct 3rd 2008 8:46AM]

All it needs is a bad-ass chrome grill.

[ash @ Oct 2nd 2008 10:23PM]

lobbiest from the oil companies really do have an influence on the electric car designs.

[gunboatdiplomacy @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:20PM]

looks cool. i'd get one, but first pencil me in for a electric Cube.

and all cars are potential death traps. so please shut yours.

[wazzupalex @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:10PM]

To those (most likely from the USA) who comment that these small cars are death traps, a reality check: a) Whether it is here in the UK, or elsewhere, if you read about, witness or study reports on accidents, you will notice that deadly accidents where one vehicle impacts another have nothing to do with the size of the vehicle being impacted. If a speeding motorcycle hits the side of a car the person near where the motorcycle impacts will be in a bad way. b) If (for example) a Smart Car (made by Mercedes) is hit by any sort of vehicle, it is made from very tough materials and will be pushed aside in some cases. In fact, in all my time in the UK, most accidents I have witnessed have been between regular to large cars, trucks or SUVs. There is a certain arrogance and over confidence that comes with being behind the wheel of a larger vehicle. But the laws of physics (momentum etc) still apply. What counts is visibility. Can you the driver of the compact vehicle see clearly (chances are, you'll have better all round vision than the driver of a large vehicle, such as a truck) and more importantly, can OTHERS see you? If the small car is the same height as a regular vehicle and has it's lights positioned well, then there is less to be concerned about. Question: Has anyone ever seen an accident involving a Smart or other ultra compact car? What was the outcome?

[Linz @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:19PM]

I'm afraid I have seen the results of a crash involving a Smart car and it was horrific. A friend of the family was killed in a head on collision whilst driving a Smart. The accident investigators said if he'd been in a larger, more 'standard' car, in the same circumstances, he would probably have survived. I'd love a Smart from the economy/convenience side of things but having seen the outcome of that accident it's put me off a little.

[zoopthegame @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:28PM]

Are you sure making cars with "very tough materials" will make it safer? I saw a documentary once and it was about how cars are being made out of material that will crumple easily when hit, so that it absorbs the force of the impact, instead of having the passengers absorb the force. So... i figure that a standard car is safer because it can have a very strong frame, but also weaker material for cushioning around it, whereas a small car must only have a strong frame only, because it is so small.

[kjb434 @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:30PM]

They should sell them with a free coffin and grave spot.

The only real small car I would feel slightly safe in is a MINI. BMW seemed to at least make them pretty safe for their size. I've seen two accidents with them and an SUV. One was head on and the other was driver side impact. The head on collision was a broken rib and a bunch of bruised ones. That would happen in pretty much any car from the seat belt restraint. The driver side impact had a broken arm, ribs, and lots of bruises. I was impressed.

PS: The other small one that's pretty good is the VW Beetle. They tested real good and most pictures from accidents left me reassured.

[Reader @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:35PM]

Sadly size does matter. A semi/large SUV will have a shit-ton more energy behind it at the same speed than a smaller car. When that semi hits a smaller car, the smaller car can only extend the impulse for a certain amount of time before all that force transfers at a much higher amount to the occupants. While an SUV would have an enormous engine and crumple zones to extend the force, this small car wouldn't.

The Smart is a very well designed car, for its size. The frame holds up well to crashes and is made out of high quality material. Smart vs. Geo Metro, I bet the occupants in the Smart would have a much better outcome. But this doesn't mean shit when hit by a much larger car. It's really foolish to say that size doesn't matter. What would you rather be hit by:

a) guy riding a bicycle at 30 kph
b) train moving at 30 kph

[CraigJ @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:44PM]

It's not the size, it's the mass differential. You should need a special license with mandatory training, to driven anything over 3,000 pounds (1361 KG), IMO. Allowing people to drive 3 ton vehicles without a complete understanding of the handling characteristics and energies involved is just stupid, and unfortunately, this lack of training and understanding coupled with cell phones and lattes is a recipe for disaster.

A Mini is actually quite heavy for its size at 2,600 Lbs, while a smart car weighs about 1,650.

A Ford Expedition, on the other hand weighs 5,578.

I could get into the energies involved, but suffice it to say that an Expedition has over 3 times the kinetic energy of a smart car. A contest between a Expedition and a smart car will generally have a clear winner...

[bsm0f0 @ Oct 3rd 2008 9:56AM]

I'd drive one of these ... or a smart ... or any other eco friendly car in a heartbeat (if I could afford one). My fear would be the soccer mom ... raging office manager ... dipshit on a mobile phone ... driving a 6,000lbs SUV like it's a Mazda Miata.

I know I'm going to get flamed for this, but I'd love to see a ban on huge vehicles and SUVs in the US. I understand that in some cases one might need one (you have seven kids, you run your own business, etc) ... and to an extent I think you should be permitted to drive one with proper training, permit, etc (much like a CDL license) ... but there's no reason some chick talking on her mobile with a 12 month old in the middle of the back seat needs to be driving a Ford Expedition at 95 mph down a 40 mph roadway weaving in and out of traffic like mad ... that crap boggles my effin mind.

For the record, I drive a used 99' Subaru Legacy (wagon) ... and while I find it's too large for my needs, it pales in size to most SUVs and some other wagons ...

[slowerpig81 @ Oct 2nd 2008 8:26PM]

I feel quite safe in my mother's MINI Cooper S. Just driving it, you can tell that its stiff frame and excellent handling characteristics could well be used to avoid an accident, assuming an attentive driver. It also has enough space between the front passengers and the bumper to absorb crash energy. The doors are quite hefty and strong, and there are side impact airbags, of course. It is the car I will be learning (to drive) on, and I will drive it most of the time. I think that licensees should have more training than they do, and my parents are enrolling me in a safe driving course run by a professional driver that in fact races MINIs.

Also, to comment on this car, I think it will have a tough time keeping itself cool, warm, or condensation free in a varied climate like a large portion of North America. That huge window will certainly not stay in the production model. Just sun coming through the window will stress the already low powered A/C, and the lack of insulation and IR reflectivity from the lack of a hard roof could be a problem.

[LiqwidZero @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:12PM]

It's gooooooooooooold!

[John P @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:20PM]

Though it has nothing to do with the car, Medeski Martin and Wood is far from smooth jazz, heard very easily above internal combustion. This makes sense when you consider that MMW is mostly defined as an atonal acid trip.

[Steve-O @ Oct 4th 2008 11:51PM]

saw MMW at 10KLF this year, but Scofield was with them too :)

[AJP @ Oct 3rd 2008 10:17PM]

OMG! It looks like Volkswagen Beetle meets Salvador Dali.

[decapitor @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:23PM]

Looks like a Dr. Seuss car. And I want one.