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Nissan is hoping New Yorkers think it's hip to be square. The Japanese carmaker is displaying an electric-powered version of its Cube hatchback at the city's international motor show.
The lithium-ion battery-powered Denki Cube electric concept serves as a preview of Nissan's future small-car strategy in North America, which includes plans to sell a redesigned gasoline-powered Cube at Nissan dealers in America and Canada from next year.
The Denki Cube concept's exterior features fresh front and rear styling treatments, including a new "electric themed" front grille design with an AC power charging port. In the rear, the signature Cube asymmetrical rear quarter area has a new bumper with hidden tail lights.
Although the production Cube offers three rows of seating, the Denki Cube Concept has two, and the wheelbase has been stretched to better accommodate the battery cells.
Nissan's compact lithium-ion technology provides batteries with twice as much energy compared with a conventional cylindrical battery of the same type.