Beginning in the Spring of 2009, Nissan will finally box up the Cube and ship it to North America.

The Cube dates back to 1998 when it was introduced to fill a gap in the product line somewhere between two economy cars called the March (aka Micra in Europe) and the Sunny. The cube was built on the very same z10 chassis as the March with the standard engine being the 1.3L 4 cyl (cg13de). Thanks to it?s boxy shape, the cube?s small overall size, but seemingly cavernous interior made it a perfect match for the Japanese domestic market?s needs. With the available CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) and optional e-4wd the cube was a very capable vehicle. Throw in a low sticker price and fuel sipping economy into the mix and you get a winning combination.

The second iteration of the Cube came in 2002. Nissan?s new z11 platform for the Cube added a bit more size and a more profound square shape to fit the vehicle?s name. While still an economy car, the Cube was by no means boring. Nissan put some very advanced technology in the Cube. The cube was popular not only due to it's trendy shape and style, but also due to Nissan's class leading technological innovations.

The Cube was propelled by a new 1.4 liter 4 cylinder engine with Nissan?s new XTRONIC CVT transmission. With a computer controlled manual shift mode, the CVT trans utilized steering wheel mounted thumb controlled shift buttons which would instruct the transmission control to emulate a 6-speed manual transmission. This technology has since been used in the US market with the 2008 Nissan Rogue and other Nissan offerings.

Another Cube feature which was years ahead of it?s time was the e-4WD system. Engineered around a front-wheel-drive configuration and using electric motors to drive the rear wheels only when 4WD capability is needed. Because the rear wheels are driven by a rear-mounted motor, the e-4WD system does not need a drive shaft or transfer unit. As a result, this system achieves 4WD capability without sacrificing interior space, and the reduced friction contributes to improved fuel economy.

The new HR series of engines were incorporated into the Cube vehicles later in the second generation?s production run. These engines have since been used multiple vehicles worldwide, and recently in the Nissan Versa in the US market.

The Denki Cube Concept. A pre-curser to the new third generation Cube (presumably the z12 chassis) was the Denki Cube Concept which was unveiled at the 2008 New York International Auto Show. The Denki (Japanese for Electric) is a lithium-ion battery powered version of the Cube designed to demonstrate Nissan?s move toward the future use of hybrid powered vehicles.

The Denki Cube Concept is a fun way to expose American buyers to one of Nissan's most popular home market cars at a time when fuel economy and packaging efficiency are on a lot of people?s minds,? said Al Castignetti, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Nissan North America, Inc.

Until the 2010 USDM Cube is released, presumably in the Spring of 2009, the Denki Cube Concept will serve as an example of the many potential features which may be incorporated into that production run. Beyond the obvious hybrid-electric powertrain, many of the design features, including wrap-around glass, hidden taillights, a full-fixed glass panel roof, and many other design cues may be present in the new production models.

We at cubedriver.com will continue to watch the developments of the new 2010 Nissan Cube. Keep this site bookmarked for the most accurate and up-to-date info on this exciting new Nissan release.