Every engineer enjoys a challenge, it is why they became engineers. With the green technology revolution that has swept Phoenix Arizona, the Southwest, and the world, engineers everywhere are facing challenges and finding opportunities for real creative thinking in every facet and genre of automotive development. This past year at the LA Auto Show, engineers from Nissan took the design challenge to the next level with the Nissan iV concept car.
Having already introduced the LEAF in the same year as the first mass-market all electric, zero emissions vehicle (EV), Nissan was merely planting the seed for their vision of an all zero emissions future. The Nissan iV is a high-performance EV, inspired by the intellect and beauty of the natural wolrd, while at the same time crafted and molded by human ingenuity. The iV is a super-lightweight sports tourer that showcases “organic synthetics,” a revolutionary manufacturing technique in which automotive parts are cultivated like agriculture in a 100% sustainable, carbon-neutral process.
Made of an interwoven organic frame, the iV’s chassis material is synthetically grown before being shaped in the lab into a fast, sporty, and hyper modern aerodynamic machine. The building materials are derived from quickly and naturally replenishing ivy and re-enforced with a spider silk composite. The biopolymer frame is flexible and ultra-light, while at the same time remaining strong and robust, standing up to pressure.
The spacious, panoramic cabin comfortably seats four adults and is constructed from an innovative photovoltaic material that weighs 99% less than traditional glass. While the canopy collects solar energy (of which Phoenix Arizona has plenty), it also provides protective safety and unique, open-air views of the outdoors. Underneath it all, a slim bio-battery provides stability and a near limit-less range made possible by regenerative super-capacitor technology that recoups 60% of kinetic energy spent.
Nissan’s stated goal is to have an entire mass production fleet of these high tech green vehicles by 2035, but Phoenix Arizona customers would do well to look out for elements of this concept creeping into more near future production models.
Phoenix Arizona residents can view and test drive any of the current model year Nissan vehicles at any of the Phoenix Arizona Nissan dealers.
