Nissan Cube arrives in the UK
04.12.2009 - Andy Goodwin
(20)
The funky Nissan Cube is finally reaching our shores, more than a decade after the original model went on sale in Japan in 1998.
Over one million of the quirky Cubes have been sold there, its unique style gaining it a cult following. Its boxy shape shuns design conventions, as do its asymmetric rear windows which stretch around the back and side of the Cube - but on the passenger side only.
Nissan's designers describe it as a "bulldog in sunglasses", but far from making it a flop it has been hailed by the London Design Museum as one of the 50 cars that changed the world.
Inside, it's curves which dominate the cabin, which is big enough for five and has a 'lounge-style' layout. A triple-layered glass roof lets light into the cabin, but on really sunny days there's a shoji shade made of rice paper which can be drawn across and a traditional blind to keep the cabin cool.
The line-up will have only two grades; the standard Cube (£14,000) and Kaizen (£15,100), which adds multi-media, a rear parking camera and climate control.
The limited edition LDN (£14,600) will be available to the first 100 UK customers, finished in a unique chocolate colour with matching suede interior trim, climate control, rain-sensing wipers and auto headlights.
The only engine at launch is a 108bhp 1.6-litre petrol, emitting 151g/km and capable of averaging 42.8mpg.
A 1.5-litre diesel will arrive next May, along with a CVT gearbox for petrol models, at £1,200.
