And even if you had seen one already, it would have been a rare sight — the car has never officially left Japanese shores. That is, until now.
Nissan's Cube has been around for quite some time. It's a product of the super-quirky domestic Japanese market, and a car that's been embraced by style-conscious and youth-orientated buyers. It doesn't look like a conventional car — the clue is in its name — so you could say it's the anti-car for anyone seeking a personal mode of transport and wanting to make a statement at the same time.
Just what European and US buyers will make of this latest generation car remains to be seen. Initial reaction has been positive and Nissan has helped matters with a limited edition version complete with a generous amount of standard kit. Badged ‘LDN' these first 100 Cubes boast plenty of kit and that all-important aura of exclusivity.
Not that buyers of ‘regular' Cubes will have a problem finding their cars in the supermarket car park. The compact Nissan, complete with upright windscreen and, well, boxy, proportions offers a refreshing alternative to the default small family car.
In truth
And actually it's not really that boxy. Nissan likes to compare the curves of the Cube's asymmetric rear door to the figure of the ideal woman. Quite.
Also, you'll struggle to find a straight line inside the Cube. The car's interior is full of soft curves, while the ventilation controls are housed together in a circular fashion. Even the shape of the cabin and the seating arrangement has been influenced by something curvaceous —a Jacuzzi of all things.
The story goes that Nissan's interior designer Tadamasa Hayakawa was on holiday, stressing about the deadline for the Cube's interior concept. He was all out of ideas and the holiday was anything but relaxing, so he opened a drink and slipped into the hot tub on his hotel balcony. That's when he had a ‘light bulb' moment. "It came to me as I was chilling out. I needed to express that same relaxing feeling in the interior of the Cube," said Hayakawa.
The quirky stuff continues with the option of brown velour-like upholstery. If you're recoiling in horror, it might be better to stick to a Ford Focus.
For all the Cube's weirdness, there is a sensible side to Nissan's trendy transporter. The cabin, complete with sliding rear seats, is surprisingly spacious and comfortable. There's enough room for a quartet of adults and equipment levels are high.
It's also an easy car to drive, something made straightforward by the inclusion of a smooth 108bhp 1.6-litre petrol motor. Until the 1.5-litre diesel arrives to the Cube's new markets, this petrol lump offers plenty of go for the cut and thrust of city life, and should leave you enough money for that trendy coat you've promised yourself.
For all the Cube's quirky attributes, and it has many, this is not a car that sacrifices function over form. That much is obvious from the car's accommodating cabin. But it's also the Cube's general approach to motoring; its user-friendly nature should appeal to a broad audience, not just the trendy set, and it matches a conventional-looking family hatch for practicality.
Verdict
A style icon, practical and family friendly? Yes, it really is all those. Granted you're never likely to be knee deep in Cubes in the years to come, which helps perpetuate the car's semi-exclusive nature. But if you already ‘get' the car's appearance, you are also likely to be impressed by its refined and versatile nature. The feel good factor also comes as standard.
Specs & Rating
Model Cube
Engine 1.6-litre inline four
Transmission Five-speed manual
Max power 108bhp @ 6,000rpm
Max torque 153Nm @ 4,400rpm
Top speed 175kph
0-100kph 11.3sec
Price Dh82,000 (UK base)
Plus Quirky inside and out, gutsy engine, Nissan thinking about bringing it to the region
Minus A bit expensive
