Motor Authority - blog Category: Cube

Nissan has announced base pricing for the all-new Cube minicar earlier this month, starting at $13,990. Now it has revealed pricing for the full line, including the special-edition Krom, which starts at $19,360.

Four variants of the Cube will be sold, dubbed the Cube 1.8, Cube 1.8 S, Cube 1.8 SL, and the Cube 1.8 Krom. In addition, the Cube will also be available with more than 40 individual accessories, ranging from a unique 20-color interior illumination kit and ‘shag carpeting’ instrument panel inserts to aerodynamic body kits and custom 16in aluminum wheels.

The base Cube's entry level price still gets customers a punchy... Nissan has announced base pricing for the all-new Cube minicar earlier this month, starting at $13,990. Now it has revealed pricing for the full line, including the special-edition Krom, which starts at $19,360. Four variants of the Cube will be sold, dubbed the Cube 1.8, Cube 1.8 S, Cube 1.8 SL, and the Cube 1.8 Krom. In addition, the Cube will also be available with more than 40 individual accessories, ranging from a unique 20-color interior illumination kit and ‘shag carpeting’ instrument panel inserts to aerodynamic body kits and custom 16in aluminum wheels. The base Cube's entry level price still gets customers a punchy 122hp (91kW) 1.8L inline four-cylinder engine that can be paired with a six-speed manual. Stepping up to the 1.8 S, priced at $14,690 with manual six-speed or $15,690 with the optional Xtronic CVT, gets higher trim specifications, while the 1.8SL goes further upmarket still at $16,790. The Krom tops the range with its unique options for a base price of $19,360. The range-topping Krom model is differentiated by a number of unique features including 3-bar chrome grille, 2-bar chrome front bumper grille, fully integrated front and rear fascias, body side sills, unique rear roof spoiler, and exclusive 16in alloys. Inside, the Krom picks up Bluetooth hands-free, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an upgraded audio system with six speakers and Rockford Fosgate subwoofer, aluminum pedals, and titanium trim accents. Nissan hasn't yet revealed the estimated EPA fuel economy figures for the Cube but says it expects better than 30mpg on the highway from the CVT-equipped model. Given the typical relationship between CVTs, automatics and manuals, very similar figures can be expected from the six-speed unit as well. Read More

The second-generation Nissan Cube made its world debut last November at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but specifications and information on the U.S. model were scant. New information has emerged shedding some light on what American buyers of the quirky hatch can expect, however, including power and pricing estimates.

A punchy 122hp (91kW) 1.8L inline four-cylinder engine will power the Cube in the U.S., and can be paired with a choice of either a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a six-speed manual. Nissan hasn't yet revealed the estimated EPA fuel economy figures for the Cube, but says it expects better than 30mph highway from the... The second-generation Nissan Cube made its world debut last November at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but specifications and information on the U.S. model were scant. New information has emerged shedding some light on what American buyers of the quirky hatch can expect, however, including power and pricing estimates. A punchy 122hp (91kW) 1.8L inline four-cylinder engine will power the Cube in the U.S., and can be paired with a choice of either a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a six-speed manual. Nissan hasn't yet revealed the estimated EPA fuel economy figures for the Cube, but says it expects better than 30mph highway from the CVT-equipped model. Given the typical relationship between CVTs, automatics and manuals, very similar figures can be expected from the six-speed unit as well. Curb weight is pegged at 2,596lb (1,180kg) for Japanese-spec Cubes, though that figure could climb a bit for U.S. models thanks to the larger engine. Three variants of the Cube will be sold as well, dubbed the cube 1.8, cube 1.8 S, and cube 1.8 SL. Exactly what differentiates the trims is still at this point unknown, but Nissan plans to equip six airbags standard on all models to help boost crash test ratings and occupant safety. Taking a page from Scion's treatment of the xB and Honda's Element, Nissan also plans to offer a range of personalization options for the Cube so that buyers can build a unique vehicle at the factory or dealership. The images revealed in Los Angeles showed that Nissan’s new Cube retains the catchy two-box design of its predecessor, but gets an overall smoother, more round-edged appearance. The car is an important model for Nissan globally as it is set to be sold in North America and Europe for the first time. The previous model was limited to Japan and a few other select markets. The new model offers greater comfort, a larger cabin and a host of innovative interior details such as sofa-like seating, a large glass roof panel that extends over the driver's seat for an open, airy view of the outside environment, and a shoji-style roof shade that fills the cabin with gentle light. A three-position rear seat slides back and forth, reclines slightly and folds flat to accommodate large cargo. Its structure is not only more rigid than the outgoing model, but a new strut front suspension and torsion I-beam rear suspension with improved camber rigidity improves handling. A wide stance, resulting from moving the wheels to the corners; allows for sharp cornering and a turning radius of just 15ft (4.6m). Specifications for other markets will likely be released closer to their respective launches but we know the Japanese version of the car will feature a 1.5L HR15D four-cylinder petrol engine developing 107hp (80kW) and 109lb-ft (148Nm) of torque. This will be mated to a CVT transmission with both front and all-wheel-drive versions available. No word has emerged yet on availability of AWD variants in the U.S., but the technology is there, so it is possible. The platform of the new Cube is also likely to be used by Nissan for its first high volume all-electric vehicle, which the company previewed back in March with the Denki Cube EV concept that debuted at the New York Auto Show. The new EVs will feature lithium ion batteries developed under a joint-venture between Nissan and NEC, and the first production vehicles will be trialled in areas like California. Sales of the new Cube started late last year in Japan and will kick-off in North America and Europe around the middle of this year. Pricing will likely kick off around the $19,000 mark for the entry-level cube 1.8.2009 Nissan Cube Read More

The Tokyo Auto Show gets underway this Friday, but already the exhibits of the major carmakers are hitting the web. Nissan released its set of show cars today, including a range of custom packages for the 370Z, GT-R and Cube.

Nissan's GT-R super-coupe is shown off by NISMO in Club Sports form, which entails a custom chassis, carbon fiber bucket seat and titanium exhaust system among other tweaks. The car is tested to reduce the standard GT-R's lap times at Sendai Hi-land Raceway by over a second - all while preserving the factory warranty.

Another GT-R, the Xanavi NISMO GT-R Super GT 2008 GT500 race car, and winner of the 2008 Driver's... The Tokyo Auto Show gets underway this Friday, but already the exhibits of the major carmakers are hitting the web. Nissan released its set of show cars today, including a range of custom packages for the 370Z, GT-R and Cube. Nissan's GT-R super-coupe is shown off by NISMO in Club Sports form, which entails a custom chassis, carbon fiber bucket seat and titanium exhaust system among other tweaks. The car is tested to reduce the standard GT-R's lap times at Sendai Hi-land Raceway by over a second - all while preserving the factory warranty. Another GT-R, the Xanavi NISMO GT-R Super GT 2008 GT500 race car, and winner of the 2008 Driver's Championship, will also be on display. The 370Z, revealed in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show, gets a 'Fairlady Z Stylish Package' already previewed here. NISMO gets its hands on the Z as well, offering the NISMO S-tune package equipped car that's been leaked to the web several times already. Autech, a Nissan partner, will also be exhibiting several Nissan vehicles, including a custom Teana (Maxima in North America) with a custom sport-inspired exterior, plush leather interior and a curiously named 'hospitality seat'. Finally, the new Cube gets a concept version dubbed the Cube Drive Shot Concept. Featuring the dealer-available Cube Aero Outer package, the Drive Shot also gets the unique ability to capture images of the passing scenery, which can then be uploaded to the navigation and entertainment system.Nissan at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon Read More

Nissan will be rewarding its commercial vehicle dealers with a number of vehicles that will not be available to dealers specializing solely in passenger vehicles. Apart from Nissan's new range of light commercial vehicles, such as the NV2500-inspired truck that we reported on earlier, Automotive News reports that commercial dealers will likely get products such as small vans, wagons, pickups and even taxi models, expected to go on sale in 2010.

Joe Castelli, Nissan North America's vice-president for light commercial vehicles stated Nissan will consider importing cars from Japan especially for commercial dealers, such as a van based on ... Nissan will be rewarding its commercial vehicle dealers with a number of vehicles that will not be available to dealers specializing solely in passenger vehicles. Apart from Nissan's new range of light commercial vehicles, such as the NV2500-inspired truck that we reported on earlier, Automotive News reports that commercial dealers will likely get products such as small vans, wagons, pickups and even taxi models, expected to go on sale in 2010. Joe Castelli, Nissan North America's vice-president for light commercial vehicles stated Nissan will consider importing cars from Japan especially for commercial dealers, such as a van based on Nissan's current small car platform that underscores models such as the Nissan Versa and Nissan Cube. By muscling in on the light commercial vehicle market, Nissan hopes to compete with industry leaders Ford and GM, who currently have the majority of the light commercial vehicle market. Allowing some of its models to only be sold in certain dealerships may seem strange, however for Nissan rewarding these dealers is essential. To become a commercial dealer, Nissan dealerships must make expensive changes to their facilities and staff and thus giving them exclusive selling rights to a number of vehicles is Nissan's way of encouraging more dealers to sign up to become commercial dealers. Earlier this week, we also reported that Nissan was phasing out SUV production at its Mississippi plant to instead focus on production of a new NV2500 inspired commercial vehicle.2009 Nissan NV2500 concept2009 Nissan Cube Read More