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Students from the Brooks Institute and Pratt Institute created their own designs for concepts based on the Nissan Cube.
Nissan Motors Corporation Inc.
The Nissan Cube is sold in Japan only. Pratt students came up with the Quazé concept, while Brooks kids made one called the Nielus.
Nissan Motors Corporation Inc.


2008 New York Auto Show: Students To Offer Their Take on the Nissan Cube

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NEW YORK CITY — You'll likely never see the Quazé or Nielus concepts in your driveway. But the two riffs on the Nissan Cube, courtesy of students at the Pratt Institute, are designed to "introduce the Nissan Cube to the U.S.," according to the Japanese automaker. The concepts will debut during the upcoming 2008 New York Auto Show.

Of course, the flurry of activity surrounding the Cube by students at Pratt and the Brooks Institute begs the question: Will a production Cube — or a concept Cube — be unveiled at the New York auto show? And why does Nissan feel it needs to introduce the Cube to the States anyway?

"We will not be showing a production Cube at NYIAS," said Nissan North America spokesman Darryll Harrison in response to a query from Inside Line. "The only production product we'll be introducing will be the 2009 Nissan Maxima." Harrison declined to offer any comment about a Cube concept. The Cube is currently sold only in Japan.

In the meantime, Nissan shared some images of the Pratt students' work on the Cube. The Quazé concept is described as "a high energy, urban interpretation of 'Cube-ness,' using 3D design elements and an innovative combination of materials." The Nielus concept "fuses two bold styles; one juxtaposes aggressive shapes and vibrant hues, the other melds organic colors and mechanical forms." Students from the Brooks Institute have come up with a film about the Cube that is said to communicate the vehicle's "story through character and setting, using innovative equipment, material and advanced special effects software."

The concepts will be displayed at the New York show starting March 19 in a custom "Cube Gallery." The media will vote for one winning design concept.

What this means to you: Nissan has talked about bringing the Cube here for a number of years, but it's still not clear what its intentions are. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent