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Are you a Cubist?
Posted by Patrick Burgoyne, 21 March 2010, 17:33 Permalink Comments (28)
The Cube, Nissan's quirky, boxy, city car, is expresssly aimed at the design-aware young urbanite – that's you, well, some of you. So, is it a car that CR readers will want to own?
I first saw an earlier version of the Nissan Cube (above) in 'the flesh' at Kenya Hara's Japan Car show at the Science Museum last year. There it was presented as a piece of High Design – a visitor from another culture. A bizarre, chunky little alien that, like many of the Japanese car industry's more eccentric products, would surely never grace UK roads. But late last year, encouraged by a growing import cult, Nissan launched the third generation Cube in the UK.
Nissan is presumably hoping that the Cube will find favour among designers and other creative types – it already has a cult following among CR readers for its retro convertible, the Figaro. So, I was loaned a Cube for the weekend to give it a try.
It was pretty easy to spot where the man from Nissan had parked the thing as it stood about a foot taller than any other car on the street. In fact, on getting into a Cube the first impression is not unlike a London taxi (although I'm going on memory here, thanks to last year's budget cuts at CR).
Mine (above) was a suitably off-beat dark brown with matching velour-covered seats (not sure what the design reference was here – MIke Reid's leisure suit maybe).
Another dash of eccentricity came with the translucent pull-back shade for the big glass panel in the roof, recalling Japanese sliding doors.
While the dashboard and door handles are meant to recall waves
Apparently, earlier versions were more eccentric inside, with a bench-style front seat and column gear-shift. It seems that things may have been toned down for UK drivers but I liked the simple forms and the lack of clutter. Some of the controls felt a little cheap and insubstantial to the touch, though.
And there's one final quirk at the back where the rear door swings open from the side rather than lifting up vertically
It does feel a bit van-like but, with the big glass roof and huge windows, everything's wonderfully bright – not unlike driving around in a goldfish bowl or the mode of transport favoured by a certain mail deliverance operative namesake of mine. And it's definitely fun – my ten-year-old son adored it.
Can I see CR readers rushing to buy one? It definitely has the appeal of all things Japanese that many designers and creatives find so alluring and now that Minis are a no-go area thanks to their wholesale adoption by estate agents, it would be in the running for anyone looking for a city car that's not a Golf or a Golf-a-like (at least until a more viable electric car like Nissan's own Leaf comes onto the market).
But would you want something so 'look-at-me-aren't-I-kooky"? Just as so many creative people retreat to the anonymity of black when it comes to clothing, so many prefer a bit of Germanic underestatement when it comes to cars.
For what it's worth, opinion in the CR office is split fairly evenly between "oooh, cool" and "oh my God, you must be joking".
What do you think?
28 Comments
It looks like it should carry a coffin, so no thanks...I'll pass.
2010-03-22 14:34:00
Looked interesting in photos and drawing, In person it is simply horrible.
2010-03-22 14:44:28
Looks like something Homer Simpson could have designed.
2010-03-22 15:14:58
Seen this years ago on top gear. cool looking car apparently the only car that's not symmetrical?
Suggest blurring the number plates tho... good way to get your car cloned!
2010-03-22 15:29:56
Looks like a car designed by marketing experts not designers - rather conceited. And who would want to travel around sitting on Bungle from Rainbow?
2010-03-22 15:45:04
That's just hideous, I mean I love kooky design but this is just plain ugly, right down to the cheap looking dashboard!
2010-03-22 15:55:16
Good luck opening the boot to put the shopping in when someone has parked right up your arse.
2010-03-22 15:58:14
The Cube did well in Japan because it was an extension of people's living rooms... and have you tried driving in Tokyo...?!?!
I welcome a bit of fresh air in the world of cars, a car that is not sold in 0-60 times, or how 'sporty' it handles etc. Nissan only expects to sell 2000 a year in the UK, which is a drop in the ocean, but cars like this are probably the realistic way forward in the long-term, a small-ish engine, non-threatening design, a bit cool, a bit quirky, and I would guess it is pretty comfortable over the pot-holed mess that our are roads (no thanks to all you numpties in your massively heavy / large / useless 4x4s clogging up our towns and drinking petrol / diesel like there is no tomorrow).
Celebrate the individuality of the Cube is what I say. And I would also say it is a shame it does not have the total quirkiness of the Mark 2 version - Conran even design a limited edition.
http://www.cube-cubic.co.uk/itemdetl.php/itemcode/68
2010-03-22 16:18:13
I'd rather walk thanks!
2010-03-22 16:21:53
I'm only cubist if it has the same negative meaning as sexist.
Simply vile. I don't wan my dash to represent a wave, I want it to have all the buttons and switches I need to hand and in easy view.
2010-03-22 16:30:12
I prefer my Mercedes E220 saloon... with hand stitched leather steering wheel, lots more leather, walnut trim, silent cruise, bullet proof, sports switch, rear screen blind, automatic transmission and a beast of a gas guzzling engine. Sorry.
Bip
2010-03-22 18:33:59
WOW - A great motor, at last a manufacturer brave enough to make a move forwards. I'm up for one. when can I see one?
2010-03-22 18:36:14
Herse or not; I wouldn't be seen dead in one —it looks bloody awful and I can't imagine many designers buying into that marketing junk.
2010-03-22 19:19:35
Probably wouldnt have the balls 2 get one, anyway I swear this car came out years ago. Plus what is this CR meets top Gear, who here can actually afford a new car???
2010-03-22 22:11:34
looks like someone missed the proportion class..
2010-03-23 07:14:06
It does look very Japanese 'Style' to me. Not sure if people would like that specific style here in Europe. I don't think I would buy it. so - nil point - from me.
2010-03-23 08:39:35
When you see them on the road they definitely turn heads. A lot of people like that in a car. Its selling very well in the UK apparently amongst the cool crowd
2010-03-23 10:32:27
I spend all my time thinking outside the box, why would I want to drive IN one?
2010-03-23 12:15:10
I'd buy one... if I had the money and it drove OK, of course.
2010-03-23 12:24:29
I agree with you guys, give me a Porsch 911 anyday, or a Farrari Testarossa - Boom! And I'd take the kids to skool in my sweet Merc, and pick-up the missus in my Beamer! Bam! Love that smell of craftsmanship on a well stitched steering wheel cover!
What are you thinking? I love this car! (but I do prefer the old version). Think of the alternatives - this car looks good and is as practical as Helvetica itself - if only we thought of cars like we do typefaces. I can just see Neville Brody driving to his RCA lectures now driving one of these bad-boys.
The Japanese know how to design cars, trains, buildings, products, books, paper, food, furniture, brands etc. I'd trust them over an Italian in a desperate shiny Prada suit pushing a silly 'supercar' anytime.
We used to laugh at what was going on in Japan, now we feel under threat, and pretend that we know better. If they didn't innovate like they do we would still be scratching our heads trying to decide if an electric car is the right way to go or not.
Why do all cars need to be designed like an aircraft - aerodynamic to the extreme - Where I live I cant go faster that 30mph, and when I'm on the motorway I can go 70 max, but my car says it can do 120mph - Whats the point. I like boxes, and bubbles, but I'm a bit bored of the bubble shape of all small cars, time for a cube.
Having said that, it is a bit pricy.
James
2010-03-24 00:52:06
I think it's great to see something different! Has anyone else noticed how Ford, peugeot, Citroën and vauxhalls are all looking very alike these days? Dull dull dull. I wouldn't say it was handsome but it does provoke a reaction instead of just being as easily ignored as most cars.
2010-03-24 07:13:15
designed? really? to a degree but by no means completely. The design-aware usually have a sense of style, this car doesn't. Bit like Crocs. Too 'utility' and not enough design. Aerodynamics makes for fuel efficiency and handling which are kind of critical in car design.
Erik
2010-03-24 14:33:03
worst excuse for a vehicle ever.
2010-03-29 00:56:13
Are all the comments on this page from Top Gear fans?
Surely a car that is designed to be practical, comfortable and cost effective should be praised
Being 6'3" i see little point ogling over a cramped, overpriced 'sports' car that you'll spend most of the time doing 5 MPH around Old St roundabout.
We should encourage the different, not ridicule it.
2010-03-29 12:26:59
Are all the comments on this page from Top Gear fans?
Surely a car that is designed to be practical, comfortable and cost effective should be praised
Being 6'3" i see little point ogling over a cramped, overpriced 'sports' car that you'll spend most of the time doing 5 MPH around Old St roundabout.
We should encourage the different, not ridicule it.
2010-03-29 13:01:10
Erm, the Cube is about 12 years old already. Not sure its 'hot design news' therefore. Honda did it better with the S-MX about two years before Nissan. The Honda had a 2.0 engine married to a good box and good performance as a result, whereas the Nissan has a weedy 1.4 hooked up to a generic Micra gear box that can hardly pull it up a sleepy incline.
2010-03-29 15:44:30
The design is too much like a toy car for me.
2010-03-29 15:47:07
nope
2010-03-31 13:54:01
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