The Beast
‘Drive-by-wire’ or ‘by-wire’ is slated to be the transmission of the future. And, we are not surprised that most concept cars of today have begun to see logic in pushing it as the ‘next best thing.’ The Nissan Nuvu concept employs this transmission and may not have a beast of an engine, but makes up for it with some avant-garde technological additions. An electric compact car by classification, the Nuvu perhaps takes eco-conformance a little too literally. Leaf-shaped solar panels on the glass roof power the electric motors, and the charge is transmitted through a ‘tree trunk’ located behind the front seats. Going one step further, Nissan has fabricated the interiors with eco-friendly materials
The Machine
The Nissan Nuvo has a decent electric motor at the rear and Lithium ion batteries powered by solar energy. Together, these elements give you 75 mph on the needle and 77 miles on a full 10-20 min charge. The by-wire transmission ensures there are no shafts, belts or other mechanical linkages. An aircraft-type steering column adds to the futuristic theme of the car. For the effect, Nissan has also eliminated rear view mirrors and incorporated a display on the dashboard.
The Thrill
We aren’t game for cute little compact cars. However, the Nuvu sparks some interest primarily because of its eco-friendly theme and a reliable electric drive. As a package, this concept should make an impact if it ever hits production.
Source: Yosax
