2000-2009
Land Glider concept
In the early 2000s, Nissan's EVs got creative. The theme was personal transportation – small, city-friendly cars. Hypermini gave way to a series of concepts called Pivo, and the Land Glider concept pushed the traditional idea of a car to a new level.
Early to mids 2000s
2000 | ▪ |
The Nissan Hypermini debuted as a concept car at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show. Designed as an urban commuter car with seating for two, it went on sale in February 2000. ![]() Hypermini EV |
2005 | ▪ |
Pivo was an imaginative electric car concept developed in partnership with renowned Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. Its innovative cabin revolved 360 degrees, eliminating the need for a reverse gear. ![]() Pivo concept |
2007 | ▪ |
The driver sat centrally in the Mixim Concept car with a passenger seat on each side. The design of the steering wheel and controls was inspired by video game interfaces. ![]() Mixim concept |
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The PIVO 2 took the concept of an environmentally friendly electric urban commuter car and added fun, functionality and a unique relationship between car and driver with an integrated robot assistant. ![]() PIVO 2 concept |
Late 2000s
2008 | ▪ |
Cube EV test car Nissan developed the Cube Test Car in 2008 to test specifications for the lithium ion battery in the upcoming LEAF. ![]() Cube EV test car |
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Displayed at the 2008 New York auto show, the Denki Cube EV concept featured an electric-themed front grille with an AC power charging port and a radical lightning headlight design. ![]() Denki Cube concept |
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Nissan Nuvu (new view) EV featured many technologies that would eventually be used in the Nissan LEAF. ![]() Nuvu concept |
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2009 | ▪ |
Tiida EV test car The 2009 Nissan Tiida EV was an all-electric prototype designed to demonstrate the superior driving pleasure of a zero-emission vehicle. It was based on the upcoming Nissan LEAF platform. ![]() Tiida EV test car |
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When creating the Land Glider concept, Nissan planners and designers conceived a new form of personal zero-emission mobility combining clever new driving experiences in a compact four-wheeled package. ![]() Land Glider concept |