Nissan says it is looking to inject some 'emotion' into the city car sector with its all-new Cube.
Although this is the third generation model, it's the first one that Nissan has officially imported to the UK.
The car is pitched squarely, if you'll pardon the pun, at fashion-conscious urbanites so the UK launch took place, quite appropriately, in London's trendy Brick Lane.
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pitched squarely at fashion-conscious urbanites |
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Although the Cube will seek to steal a few sales from MINI, there's nothing particularly retro about its design which is derived from that of its predecessor which first appeared in 2002.
It's definitely more iPod than Issigonis - particularly when finished in the Pearl White paint of our test car - which I think suits it best.
The tall boxy body is softened at the edges with large radii to create a gentle, friendly image. The design team apparently describes the front end as a bulldog wearing sunglasses while the rear was modeled on one of the most famous bums in the world - J-Lo's. Not too convinced by that one.
The Cube's non-aggressive looks immediately paid off on the go as we found other drivers were only too happy to let us out of side roads (BMW drivers, eat your hearts out) to join the traffic flow. Conversely, I noticed that quite a few pulled out in front of us without waiting to be asked. Fine if you're just pootling around but really annoying (and dangerous) if you're pressing on.
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