2009 Tokyo Auto Show: Nissan Land Glider is Kicky Electric City Car, With a Slant

If Nissan's battery-electric 2011 Leaf is too much car for you, perhaps we can interest you in the LandGlider.

The tiny (122 inches long) two seat EV city car concept can't be too much for anyone, save perhaps areally small elf.  It will share the Nissan stand at the upcoming 2009 Tokyo Auto Show with the Leaf and several non-electric Nissan intros including the new Fuga performance sedan.

Envisioned at a sort of oversize, 4-wheel, covered, electrically driven motorcycle, the Land glider offers tandem seating, an airplane-style steering yoke and a flexible motorcycle-like suspension that leans into corners.

The trick is an array of sensors that monitor vehicle speed, the steering angle and the yaw (or leaning) rate, instantly calculating the degree of lean needed to let the car scoot around curves.

Nissan isn't likely to build a Glider for the masses but says that it points in the direction engineers and product planners are thinking as they ponder a future a small car for congested cities.

Posted by

John O'Dell October 8, 2009, 5:43 PM

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Auto Shows, Japan, Nissan, Plug-ins and Electric

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2009 Tokyo Auto Show, EV, Nissan Land Glider Concept