Nissan BladeGlider Previews the Future of Electric Sports Cars

Nissan’s wild new BladeGlider might look like a concept car that will ever see reality, but the Japanese automaker is committed to the project calling it the future of electric sports cars.

“More than a concept, Nissan BladeGlider is both a proposal for the future direction of Nissan electric vehicle (EV) development and an exploratory prototype of an upcoming production vehicle from the world’s leading EV manufacturer,” reads a release on the car.

Looking to achieve low drag while generating road-hugging downforce, the BladeGlider features a triangular shape of a high-performance “swept wing” aircraft. The project shares sustainable engineering values with both the Nissan Leaf and the ZEOD RC race car, which will be running at next year’s Le Mans 24 Hour race. It has a narrow 1.0-meter lightweight front track and wide, stable rear track allowing the BladeGlider’s front wheels reduce drag and enhance maneuverability for high G cornering power. According to Nissan, BladeGlider has a 30/70 front/rear weight distribution ratio.

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Surprisingly, Nissan claims that the BladeGlider will ultimately mature into a production car and could be the automaker’s first use of in-wheel motors. The in-wheel motors provide rear-wheel propulsion with independent motor management and also contributes to the freedom of upper body design and space-efficient packaging.

To power the BladeGlider’s electric motors, Nissan equipped the concept with lithium-ion batteries and has the modules mounted low and toward the rear to enhance stability and handling. The chassis is wrapped in carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) and has been finished in a pear white shade.

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Designed for the “visionary individual seeking visceral driving and sustainability,” Nissan will debut the BladeGlider at the Tokyo Motor Show on November 20th.

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