Remember the crazy Nissan BladeGlider concept from a few years back? Well, the Japanese automaker has now taken the wraps off a working prototype of the futuristic electric sports car.
The prototype was developed from the concept car first shown at the Tokyo Auto Show back in 2013. And while you’re not likely to see the BladeGlider at your local Nissan dealership any time soon, Nissan’s chief had a few interesting words to say about the zero-emissions sports car.
“Nissan believes that enthusiasts should look forward to a zero-emission future and BladeGlider is a perfect demonstration of that. It’s the electric vehicle for car-lovers,” said Carlos Ghosn, president and chief executive officer of Nissan.
The three-seat prototype features what Nissan calls “an advanced chassis configuration” with a narrow front track and wider rear track for optimum aerodynamic efficiency and handling stability.
High-waisted, rear-hinged dihedral doors provide a dramatic entry and exit to the cabin, while the open roof is reinforced with an integrated roll-over protection structure.
With a little help from its technical partner for the project – none other than Williams Advanced Engineering – Nissan says the BladeGlider prototype has a top speed in excess of 190 km/h, with the obligatory sprint to three figures taking less than five seconds.
The rear wheels are driven by two 130 kW electric motors (one for each wheel), while peak torque stands at 707 N.m. Power is supplied by a five-module lithium-ion 220 kW battery. Bespoke cooling systems have been developed for both the battery and the motors.
Nissan says the prototype was created to “challenge the public’s expectations of what an EV could look like and the performance it can deliver”.
