2010 Nissan Cube Unveiled Early [Nissan Cube]

Tomorrow comes a day too soon in Japan as Nissan has already released a load of pictures of both the USDM and JDM Cube, which is to be "unveiled" tomorrow at the LA Auto Show. This eccentric little box is vying for the same niche as the polarizing Scion xB. Japanese Cubes are powered by a 107 Horsepower, 109 lb-feet Torque 1.5L fourbanger fitted to a CVT transmission. Drive setups include front and all-wheel drive. The configurations coming to the States currently remains unknown. Check back tomorrow for the official US specifications and more photos as they roll in from our guys in the City of Angels.

Check out more on the Nissan Cube from CarandDriver.com

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today revealed the all-new, third generation of its highly successful Nissan Cube in launch events in Japan, the United States and Europe. The fully redesigned Cube continues the iconic "cubic" styling of the previous generation, adding a higher level of refinement and polish inside and out. Sales of the new Cube begin in Japan on Nov. 26, followed by North American in the spring of 2009, and Europe and other global markets in fall 2009.
Originally launched in 1998, the Cube has sold nearly one million units to date in Japan. The latest version maintains the distinctive exterior styling that is instantly recognizable as the Cube, such as the asymmetric rear end, while pursuing a simpler, more universal design for its debut on the world stage. It offers greater comfort, a larger cabin and a host of innovative interior details such as sofa-like seating, a large glass roof panel that extends over the driver's seat for an open, airy view of the outside environment, and a shoji-style roof shade that fills the cabin with gentle light. Despite its increased roominess, the new Cube remains less than four meters long, providing big utility within a small physical footprint. With its excellent visibility and maneuverability, along with smooth performance and high fuel efficiency, the new Cube is a high-performance daily driver created to be enjoyed by value-conscious buyers worldwide.

"The new Cube is designed for people who imagine a life less ordinary, who have grown tired of the never-ending pursuit of faster, more powerful, more outrageously styled cars," said Yosuke Iwasa, Segment Chief Product Specialist. "The quieter, more harmonious qualities of the Cube have attracted interest not only among young people, but for those in every walk of life. While carrying forward the concept of the original Cube, this latest edition has advanced significantly, including offering far greater comfort."

"The new Cube is a refined car of universal quality and appeal, that can compete without 'makeup' or excessive decoration," said Seiji Watanabe, Associate Product Chief Designer. "The development concept took the approach of 'purifying' the Cube design, rather than "evolving' it. A jagged rock, for instance, loses its edges and takes on a polish as it travels down a river. This is the sort of refinement we wanted for the new Cube. We worked to simplify its exterior, using fewer lines and widening certain areas. We allowed the Cube design to refine itself, moving closer to nature and suggesting human warmth. The resulting 'purer, more peaceful' design is just what we wanted. It is a vehicle for people who are not being influenced by others, who go their own way, and enjoy interactions with friends in a welcoming atmosphere."

[Nissan via AutoBlog]

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Goodnight Nisei Week Showoff, There Will be no Encore

Import Showoff is arguably the OG import car show, precluded only by the Nisei Cruise of the late Eighties and early Nineties in LA’s Little Tokyo District. And for Showoff architect Ken Miyoshi it only made sense to bring his car show to the Nisei Week Japanese Festival a few years ago as the Nisei Week Showoff thus reuniting real import car flava with the Nisei Festival.

Back in the day the car quality at Import Showoff was second to none. The fake wheel and knock-off body kit crowd needed not apply. The shows were all about the cars. But in ’98 Hot Import Nights seamlessly blended the club kids with the car clubs proving it’s not all about the cars. Yet for some of us it was always all about the cars. While Ken may have diluted his original recipe with a few grains of rice over the years the Nisei Showoff has basically maintained the quality of one of Mr. Miyoshi’s old school Mainstream Productions. And one recent trend Nisei showcases is the resurgent Honda movement. For example, the engine bays of these Civics feature nothing fast nor furious, just shaved and filled sheet metal, tucked wire harnesses and built motors. Hit the jump to see more random observations from what might have possibly been the final Nisei Showoff. Say it ain’t so, Ken!

This is new era of Honda hotness. Gaudy wings and graphics are replaced by a clean straight stock body on this EG Honda Civic. Extra points for the attention to detail on parts like the SiR driving lights. However, I’m not the biggest wheel snob but the design of the wheels appears to be all Work Equip 03s, yes? But if I remember correctly the Equip 03s are three-piece wheels with polished outers. Are these Works with a one-off gold finish or, dare I say, knock offs? Where’s the JayDM egoist himself when I need him?

I am not a wheel whore (don’t have the discriminating taste nor the financial means) but gone are the days when you can get by with a “mere” set of TE37s. Contrasting set of black and white Civic hatches. BBS RS in the foreground and a slightly fuzzy CCW LM 16 in the background.

Back in the day there were Honda drag cars and Honda show cars. See the Bergenholtz brothers for reference (anyone remember Ed “Brokenboltz’s” infamous CRX or Ron Chromdaboltz’s purple DA Integra?). Drag cars were unfinished with no interiors, steelies out back and some hole saw aero work on the rear bumper. DC2 Integra with the world’s cleanest K-swap and SSR EXC-NEOs replacing the obligatory steelies outback.

I think this sums up the new Honda movement quite well, don’t you? Brightly colored EG hatch with ITB’d K-swap as seen through a fixed gear wheel. Now if only homie’s pants were tighter this image would be perfect.

Here’s a close-up of the brightly colored EG hatch. ITB’d K-swaps with complete wire tucks in shaved and blended bays are no longer enough. It’s how you present the package that matters and for this it’s all about the paint and polish. Chrome is replaced by copper and solid color matching is ditched in favor of full art works. This guy (or girl – that would be sooo hot!) literally took a page from the Thomas Bros. I love LA! An additional benefit aside from the performance gains of the K20A are the taller valve train assembly requiring a deeper valve cover, all of which results in more raw canvas for the art.

The CB7 Accords enjoy quite a cult following and this example is pristine! Gotta give props for the great stance, demon camber, OG Yakima racks (where’s the fixie, bro?) and partial hood bra. Anyone know the wheels? This is not a quiz to win CarDomain schwag (sadly, we are schwag-free), you’ll only win my adoration and perhaps a coupon for a free hug.

As right as that Accord is it’s got nothing on this Toyota Corolla E70 wagon with its old School Yakimas complete with perfectly stretched tires and hipster-approved fixie (in your face, Accord boy!). My only question is does this wagon need to have a matte finish to qualify as “rat rice”?

Talk about a culture shock when compared to the E70 g-ride. I believe this started life as a 996 Porsche 911. The kit is a Top Secret Gemballa collabo and the wheels are Volk TE37s. Not sure if the Porschephile in me thinks this is the best or worst thing ever.

Auto Concept won Team Showoff and the crew didn’t even bring all of their “new” cars to Nisei. I’m really digging Billy Shea’s Laguna Seca Blue IS, which was featured in both Super Street and Import Tuner. Oooooh, Billy!

I know the Ruckus is the “it girl” of late. And I know the good Dr. Charles Madrid has one with a 150cc swap with a squeeze. And you can JDM the hell out of these rides, but in the end you’re still riding a scooter, right?

I’ll leave you with this image of the man hisself, Mr. Ken Miyoshi. In addition to launching the first import car show he was also the first to bring big time drifting stateside with his Drift Showoff held in the parking lot of the Irwindale Speedway way back in ’03 before the Slipstream crew dropped the D1GP on us. There were rumors that this was the last Showoff and it is… kinda. Ken is launching a new show called Mega Matsuri the next weekend in the very same Nisei Week location. Let’s just hope he gets the same kind of cars.

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