Nissan has revealed its Townpod EV concept cars, a sort of larger, more amorphous take on the Cube and Leaf. Singularly Japanese in feel, the Townpod is intended to bridge the world of private and commercial vehicles. According to the splendiforously indulgent press release, the Townpod targets everyone from young entrepreneurs to first-time home builders and retirees looking to turn their hobby into a paycheck.
Nissan's take on an all-electric city vehicle has been revealed the new Townpod Concept Cars, debut at the 2010 Paris Auto Show of several innovative concepts designed by manufacturers coming from around the world. Concept Car - Nissan Townpod Concept 2010, a vehicle designed to adapt to driver’s way of living. Or at least this is how Nissan sees it. Externally Nissan Townpod consist of many familiar elements, yet it is different.
Nissan Townpod Concept, it’s also a green machine, with power coming from an electric motor of unspecified output, which in turn is powered by an array of lithium ion batteries. In fact, this is the same powertrain as found in the 2012 Nissan Lead that is set to go on sale this December. Compared with a white T-shirt by the Japanese manufacturer, the Nissan Townpod concept is said to be suitable for business or pleasure or for those to whom business is pleasure. The concept cars combines the benefits of a passenger car with the practicality of a light commercial vehicle.
The car is decidedly more van-like with its split rear doors. The rear features back lights on the right, a number plate on the left, and a rear-door handle set into a concave surface . Viewed from above the car's space-maximising rectangular footprint flows into an elliptical roof, offering more graceful lines as well as increased aerodynamic efficiency.
François Bancon, general manager of Nissan's Exploratory and Advance Planning Department, elaborates, 'Only they know what is essential for their lives, so it is logical that they should be the ones who determine the ultimate specification of their cars. For them an off-the-shelf solution is not enough and the best-equipped people to tailor-make their cars are themselves. What is more revealing is that Nissan Townpod users do not appreciate stereotypes or status symbols. For them, the ultimate status is to have no status.'
Just as Nissan Townpod can connect wirelessly with the driver's PDA, so it will also be able to access occupants personal music collections, or what ever device they use to receive Internet radio. "These devices may remain in passengers' pockets, but it is also beneficial to keep them in within view, in some kind of bracket.
But we do not know what these devices of the future will look like, let alone where passengers will want to keep them. So, we have developed The Puck", Bancon concluded. "The self employed tend to have very high expectations. They need to make the most of every investment. They will be early adopters of the possibilities made available through the convergence of electric-vehicle innovations and information and technology." Bancon said.
"At its core, a car is a means to transport people or goods from one place to another as simply and easily as possible. Nissan Townpod's design supports the essence of its function. It is a smart car for people who demand more."
Concept Car - Nissan Townpod Concept 2010