2013 Nissan cube(R) Press Kit: Overview
08/06/2012
Nissan
The innovative Nissan cube(R) continues in 2013 to offer a unique style and flexibility that stands out in class - maintaining its special place in the automotive world. Its unmistakable "box style" again offers an asymmetrical rear window, refrigerator-style rear door, space for five in its lounge-like interior and more than 40 accessories to help buyers customize cube to their precise tastes and needs.
Enhancements for 2013 include a simplified model lineup, with cube now offered in two well-equipped models - S and SL. All 2013 cube models wear the PUREDRIVE(TM) badge, indicating its fuel and emissions efficiency. One new exterior color, Sapphire Slate, is added to the cube color palette.
Unique, Asymmetrical Design
At first glance, the Nissan cube's appearance seems to embody the simplistic nature of its name - a box on wheels. But a closer look reveals a more complex and intricate design with a surprising sense of dynamic movement. With cube's long wheelbase relative to its overall length (a 99.6-inch wheelbase against a 156.7-inch overall length) and wide track, the wheels are pushed out to each corner - providing exceptional space utilization and a confident-looking stance. The highly distinctive look is aided by the wide headlights and grille treatment, the small but substantial body proportions and the short "tail" section.
In the rear, the bar-type taillights reinforce the wide, anchored look. Another unique aspect of cube's exterior is the large greenhouse. The A-pillars are positioned far outward and relatively upright, giving a wider range of forward visibility, while the asymmetrical wraparound side/rear window creates enhanced rear diagonal visibility for lane changes and reverse parking.
Unlike typical top-hinged or clamshell-style utility rear doors, cube features an easy-access, refrigerator-style opening, which makes it possible to open or close it even if parked tight against other cars in parallel parking spaces or when backed in against a wall or other obstacle. The back door opens fully when space allows, for loading groceries, luggage or large objects - or to a limited-access position (about eight inches) when space is restricted, for retrieving or loading a backpack or other small objects. The one-hand door handle operation is designed for easy use, even while carrying things in the other hand or arm.
The 2013 Nissan cube is available in eight mild-to-wild exterior colors: the new Sapphire Slate and carryover Pearl White, Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic, Cayenne Red and Bali Blue, Sapphire Black and Bitter Chocolate.
A "Casual Lounge" Interior
The centerpiece of cube's universal appeal is its "social space" - the surprisingly roomy interior that offers room for five in lounge-like comfort. It's a space that is highly changeable and adaptable to owners' evolving lives, with plenty of room for personalization. Cleverly designed and surprisingly open, the interior combines "casual lounge"-style passenger seating with a relaxed driving experience.
The interactive interior is anchored by its curve-themed architecture, such as the subtle wavy shaping of the instrument panel, door panels, seat shapes, armrests and the iconic circular/oval shapes of elements ranging from air conditioning vents, door pulls and climate controls. The comfortable seating includes a 6-way manual driver's seat and 4-way manual front passenger's seat, along with the sofa-style reclining rear bench seat.
The sliding rear seat can be adjusted to three positions - full rearward (providing ample legroom), mid-position (3.9 inches forward) or front position (6.0 inches forward). The rear seat is also positioned higher than the front seats, theater style, enhancing rear passenger comfort and visibility.
Other interior features include the "floating pod" instrument panel with asymmetrical light blue and white gauges, which are designed to make it easier to distinguish between the speedometer and the tachometer.
The gauge needles "sweep" when the engine is started to add a sense of flair, while the gradation effect gives a natural ambience inspired by the glow of the white moon and the blue earth. Sub-gauges are concentrated for enhanced visibility. The leather-wrapped, three-spoke steering wheel includes steering wheel-mounted audio, cruise control and Bluetooth(R) Hands-free Phone System controls.
Convenient storage spaces and cup/bottle holders are abundant throughout the cube interior - including six cupholders (instrument panel, front center console and rear armrests) and five bottle holders (door panels and center console). There are also detachable multi-hooks for holding bags or hats, which can be moved to other places including the instrument panel and rear passenger doors. "Shelves" are located on the top center and the passenger side of the instrument panel. Although the shelves are not designed for holding objects when cube is in motion, they provide convenient spaces for placing keys, cell phones or digital music players when cube is parked. The interior design also incorporates a series of subtle "Water Drop" concentric circles. Inspired by nature and the calming way that ripples move outward from a drop in water, the circles can be seen in items ranging from the roof headliner to the cupholders to the climate control design.
A Wide Range of Available Features
The 2013 Nissan cube includes standard power windows with driver's side one-touch auto up/down feature, Remote Keyless Entry system, power door locks with auto-locking feature, rear window defroster with timer, cargo area hooks, 12-volt power outlet and adjustable front seat belt upper anchors.
Available technology features include Nissan Intelligent Key(R) with Push Button Ignition, Rockford Fosgate subwoofer and amplifier with six upgraded speakers and SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately). The Nissan Navigation system with 5.0-inch color touch-screen, NavTraffic capability (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately) and USB connectivity is available with the SL Preferred Package. Bluetooth(R) Hands-free Phone System and Interface System for iPod(R) are standard on all models.
The cube interior is offered in two color environments, Light Gray and Black. Light Gray, available in a quilted suede-like fabric with special "natural wave" stitching only, is designed to create a relaxing contrast between the warm, light gray upholstery and off-black interior accents. The Black interior provides a combination of relaxation and more traditional "driving enjoyment" attitude.
Unexpected Power and Driving Ease
Just as the Nissan cube has its own unique take on styling and interior design, the engineering team took a fresh approach to performance - creating a vehicle that is easy to drive and easy to handle in traffic. Cube features an extremely tight 33.4-foot curb-to-curb turning radius, a tall seating position made possible by the tall body height, an extremely short hood "invisible length" (the area of the hood panel that the driver is unable to see) and good rear visibility for parking and backing up.
Cube combines an advanced 122-horsepower 1.8-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder with a choice of Nissan Xtronic CVT(R) (Continuously Variable Transmission) or 6-speed manual transmission for good acceleration response, smooth operation and fuel efficiency. The 6-speed manual transmission is available with the 1.8 S model, while the CVT is available with the 1.8 S and standard on the 1.8 SL. Engine torque is rated at 127 lb-ft. Fuel economy is estimated at 27 mpg City/31 mpg highway with the CVT and 25 mpg City/30 mpg Highway with the 6-speed manual transmission.
Cube's suspension combines an independent MacPherson strut front design and front stabilizer bar with a torsion beam rear axle with integrated rear stabilizer bar. Its comfortable, flat ride is a result, in part, of the Ripple-control shock absorbers and the high body stiffness. Other standard equipment includes vehicle-speed-sensitive electric power-assisted steering, power-assisted front disc/rear drum brakes and 15-inch wheels with 195/60R15 tires. The SL model offers standard 16-inch 8-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels with 195/55R16 all-season tires.
Cube's long list of standard safety features includes the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS), seat-mounted driver and front-passenger side-impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection.
Cube also offers standard front-seat Active Head Restraints, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS), along with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.
Two Well-Equipped Models
The 2013 Nissan cube is offered in two well-equipped models: S and SL. On top of the many standard features on S models, the SL adds 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, auto on/off headlights, Nissan Intelligent Key(R) with push button ignition, Automatic Temperature Control system with outside temperature display and rear heating ducts under the front seats.
Just one option package is offered - the SL Preferred Package, which includes fog lights, Nissan Navigation system with 5.0-inch touch screen display, USB connection port for iPod(R) and other compatible devices, upgraded speakers, Rockford Fosgate subwoofer and amplifier, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately) and RearView Monitor.
More than 40 individual accessories are offered - ranging from a unique 20-color interior accent lighting kit and shag dash topper to body kit and unique wheels - allowing Nissan cube owners to personalize their vehicles to reflect their own tastes and needs. Other accessories include illuminated stainless kick plates, rear cargo area organizer, interior trim appliques and more. Three accessory packages are also available, which combine a number of popular features: Interior Designer Package, Interior Illumination Package and Exterior Accent Package.