Nissan BladeGlider Now Has 268 HP and a Drift Mode
Model is now a running prototype
Kelly LinWriter
Nissan BladeGlider Now Has 268 HP and a Drift Mode
Model is now a running prototype
Kelly LinWriter
Nissan was light on details when it first debuted its BladeGlider concept in 2013. Now the Nissan BladeGlider, while still a prototype, is a fully functional vehicle, one that will drive passengers around the streets of Brazil this month.
In terms of design, the BladeGlider has evolved significantly in just two years. It's no longer shaped like a bullet, gaining new body lines that bring it closer to looking like a sports car. The prototype now has rear-hinged doors, and its two-tone color scheme looks more cohesive than in the previous version.
Inside the cabin, you'll notice a more conventional, circular steering wheel that once again sits in the center of the dash. A center display showing critical vehicle information is surrounded on either side by two screens. The three-seater vehicle has been made with two interior color schemes - Cyber Green and Stealth Orange. Seats are made with a tactile blend of fabric and epoxy resin coating, which Nissan says should result in a grippy feel.
On to the powertrain. Along with a 220-kilowatt lithium-ion battery, the vehicle has one electric 174-hp motor at each of the rear wheels. Total system output is 268 hp and 521 lb-ft of torque, and Nissan estimates the car should be able to hit 62 mph in under 5 seconds. Top speed is estimated at more than 115 mph in this all-electric vehicle.
"It's the electric vehicle for car lovers," Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said in a press release.
To improve handling, a torque vectoring system controls the torque delivered to the rear wheels. Should understeer occur, it will send more torque to the outside wheel to correct the situation. Drivers can adjust the torque vectoring system with three settings: off, agile, and drift mode. The vehicle isn't too heavy or too light, with a weight of around 2,866 pounds.
Nissan is bringing two BladeGliders to Rio de Janeiro this month just in time for the Olympic Games. One is just for show, and the other will be available for media ridealongs.
During the original BladeGlider's debut in 2013, Nissan bosses said the concept hinted at a future production version. Perhaps this updated concept signals Nissan is still moving in that direction. But we don't know for sure whether or not it will come to dealerships.
Watch the video at the bottom of the post for a closer look.
Source: Nissan
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
Read More