What's the news?
Once again Nissan is teasing us with the latest version of its BladeGlider; a three-seater fully electric sports car design that looks like nothing else. This latest prototype is what Nissan calls a demonstration model and represents the most recent evolution of what was first seen in the Deltawing racer. This then turned into an electric racer called the ZEOD RC before going on to be shown as an open-top road-going concept called the BladeGlider at the 2013 Tokyo Auto Show.
Exterior
Since then it was believed that the project had been placed on hold, but it now gets a new lease of life with this working prototype. The unusual design has evolved but retained the same core principles. It sees the two front wheels placed closely together giving the front a much narrower track than the rear. The wrap-around windscreen and large side windows should give its three occupants a high degree of visibility, especially the driver who sits in the middle. Large dihedral doors hinge rearwards on both sides to allow for easy access to the cabin as well as adding yet more spectacle to the BladeGlider.
Interior
The big difference with the BladeGlider over most other sports cars is the central driving position. Despite there being a wide sill around the driver's seat, access should be easy thanks to the rearward opening doors. Being electric and using a motor in each wheel the BladeGlider doesn't require a traditional transmission so the driver can get in from either side and is faced with a multifunction steering wheel ahead of a central instrument display with two smaller screens on either side. The cockpit-like experience is enhanced by the driver sitting forward of the two passenger seats in what Nissan describes as an 'arrowhead formation'. All three seats are sports seats with four-point harnesses.
Mechanicals
The Nissan BladeGlider is powered entirely by electricity, using a five module lithium-ion 220kW battery. For the project, Nissan teamed up with Williams Advanced Engineering, part of the same organisation as the Williams Formula One team. Nissan has remained tight-lipped as to the exact details of the performance and technological aspects of the BladeGlider other than saying that it will be capable of reaching 100km/h from rest in less than 5 seconds and will have a top speed more than 190km/h.
By having an electric motor in each wheel Nissan has been able to create a torque vectoring system that ensures better handling and helps to eliminate understeer by sending additional power to the outside wheel. There's no word on what the expected driving range of the BladeGlider might be nor how long it will take to charge. The battery pack is made up of five lithium-ion modules and has a bespoke cooling system for it and the motors.
Anything else?
Nissan will be showcasing the BladeGlider with passenger rides in Rio de Janeiro during the Olympics, but there has been no official confirmation yet as to whether such a car will get the green light for production.