Nissan Nuvu
The Nissan Nuvu is a compact all-electric city car produced by Japanese car manufacturer Nissan and presented at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The concept car featured 2+1 seating, with solar panels shaped like tree leaves on the roof that channel the sun's power through a "tree trunk" conduit in the centre of the vehicle. It can reach about and travel up to about on an electric charge. A production model based on the Nuvu was not created, but some of the technologies used on the concept were subsequently installed on the production Nissan Leaf.
Concept
According to Nissan, since most people use only one or two seats in a vehicle, the Nuvu is a three-seater, with one seat being foldable.The official presentation of the model took place at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008.
Design and construction
Inspired by a tropical fish, the concept is a two-door hatchback with two permanent and one folding seats. The model is painted in a gold colour, named "Soft Feel Sandy Gold". The windshield extends into a panoramic roof on which solar panels are located, designed to appear similar to leaves with three-ray symmetry. The taillights are located on the rear window.The interior configuration is unconventional: the driver's seat is located in the usual place, behind it there is an area for storing luggage, the front passenger seat is folding, and behind it there is another permanent place for the rear passenger. The most unusual element is a tree trunk-shaped column located behind the driver's seat. It branches out on the roof and collects energy from solar panels, increasing the vehicle's range. In addition to this function, it is also a power element that increases body rigidity. There is no direct connection between the steering wheel and the wheels – Nuvu is equipped with By-Wire technology, thanks to which the steering mechanism and brakes are driven by servos, which receive signals from the steering wheel and pedals. The interior is made from recycled materials.