Article courtesy of John Beck, from The Processor.

The Tokyo Motor Show has rolled around again, and like just about everything else, it seems to have been dealt a rather nasty blow by the recession.  But despite the massively depleted participant list, it still seems to have mustered up a fair showing of whacky and whimsical concept vehicles. My personal favourite is the electric-powered Nissan Land Glider. It may not be fast, but what it lacks in speed, it more than makes up for with big massive slabs of geek-pleasing hi-tech shenanigans. Plus it kind of reminds me of the Light Cycles from Tron.

The list of cool features is pretty extensive. First off, it’s a bike/car hybrid, so the driver/rider coolly leans into the turns while the tires are held flat to the road – the degree of tilt is determined by some cool sounding sensors that detect vehicle speed, steering angle and yaw rate. As if that wasn’t cool enough, Nissan has also done away with the boring old steering wheel and replaced it with an almost unbearably cool aircraft-style joystick. There’s also a seriously cool camera and monitor setup to replace those dull old rear-view mirrors.

When I first saw the Land Glider I assumed it was a concept vehicle conceived by a wild-eyed designer oblivious to commercial considerations, but in a somewhat surprising turn of events it seems that it may be hitting a road near you in the not so distant future, Nissan even plan to import it to the US.

[ Channel 4 ]

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12 COMMENTS

  1. See I'm concerned about the growth of small cars. It might save on room on the road, but we are still going to have huge trucks. With huge trucks going at top speeds and a small car like that gets in the way, it equals, truck with minor damage and a pancake of what's left of the tiny car.

  4. While this could be a concern, how different is it that someone riding a motorcycle?? Plus this has somewhat more protection than those with it being a full enclosed body. I'm sure some will appreciate what it has to offer

  5. I appreciate the sleek and small capacity it has, along with the probably low gas use. I am scared for motorcycle riders as well, but it is much easier for a motorcycle to off road and save themselves, that little car wouldn't be aware of their surroundings as much as a cyclist would. I just don't think I would feel safe in one.

    I do not however think they are completely bad and should be done away with, it was not my original intent to sound like I thought that either. I think with smaller cars, we could have more on the hwy and it would possibly make traffic run smoother…but you never know. All things have their good and bad.

  9. While this could be a concern, how different is it that someone riding a motorcycle?? Plus this has somewhat more protection than those with it being a full enclosed body. I'm sure some will appreciate what it has to offer

  10. I appreciate the sleek and small capacity it has, along with the probably low gas use. I am scared for motorcycle riders as well, but it is much easier for a motorcycle to off road and save themselves, that little car wouldn't be aware of their surroundings as much as a cyclist would. I just don't think I would feel safe in one.

    I do not however think they are completely bad and should be done away with, it was not my original intent to sound like I thought that either. I think with smaller cars, we could have more on the hwy and it would possibly make traffic run smoother…but you never know. All things have their good and bad.

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