Nissan Unveils Wedgy Pre-Production Concept

Nissan Motor Co. will show a futuristic concept called the BladeGlider at the Tokyo auto show this month and says its will put the deltoid-shaped electric sports car into production within three years.

Like the company's DeltaWing Le Mans race car from which it draws inspiration, the BladeGlider features a narrow, 3-foot-wide front track and a normal-width rear track to create overall stability. Nissan has built a rear-drive test mule as well, based on a modified Ariel Atom sports car.

Nissan design chief Shiro Nakamura describes the concept as "an extreme interpretation" of how the car could look. The carbon-fiber reinforced plastic body wraps around a 1+2 seating layout similar to the McLaren F1 road car.

The concept is powered by rear in-wheel electric motors. The technology will be a first for Nissan when the car goes into production.

Nissan sales and marketing chief Andy Palmer says the BladeGlider will be priced below the company's $30,000 370Z sports car.