Nissan ESFLOW Electric Coupe Concept : The official Thread

[Spies]

The fact that they are this far along with a sports model also makes me wonder how long it will be until we see an all-electric Infinity sedan?

I have always found the "Infiniti", "Lexus" and "Acura" branding kinda lame. I don't believe Nissan even does Infiniti branding in Japan as they are all Nissan branded. This is not to say that they don't have a luxury electric vehicle in the works. I seem to remember reading somewhere that Nissan has like 5 or 6 electric vehicles in the works. We now know of two of them and I look forward to hearing about the rest.

 

[evnow]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that Nissan has like 5 or 6 electric vehicles in the works. We now know of two of them and I look forward to hearing about the rest.

Nissan has stated that they will make an Inifiniti EV. Sometime back there was some news about the initial design having been rejected since it was close to Leaf.

http://green.autoblog.com/2010/04/13/report-first-infiniti-leaf-rejected-due-to-staid-styling-lack/

 

[Coffee_Slurry]

The fact that they are this far along with a sports model also makes me wonder how long it will be until we see an all-electric Infinity sedan?

I have always found the "Infiniti", "Lexus" and "Acura" branding kinda lame.

The difference is in trim levels, and dealerships.

Go into a Lexus dealership for service and tell me it's the same as Toyota while you enjoy your croissant and espresso.

 

[aqn]

The Lotus Elise is less than 2,000 lbs, with 4cyl engine and related material.
Doesn't seem impossible to me.

Well yeah, but the Elise has no top, barely any glass, no carpeting, no sound insulation, no power windows, no power mirrors, etc. I'm not saying that a sports car should have those things. I'm kinda wondering if the ESFlow will be a stripped down bare-bones sports car.

In any case, the Elise also does not have a 650 lbs battery, plus electric motor. The Toyota engine in the Elise weighs 253 lbs (115 kg). Even assuming that the transmission weighs 150 lbs (that's a BIG transmission; it's probably more like 100 lbs, judging by the weight of other comparable Toyota and Honda transmissions), that's only about 400 lbs worth of power equipment.

I'd be really happy if the ESFlow turns out to be below 3000 lbs.

 

[Herm]

Well yeah, but the Elise has no top...The Toyota engine in the Elise weighs 253 lbs (115 kg)[/url].

Thanks for that link on the engine, very interesting.. but you also have to account for fuel, fluids, radiator system and the exhaust system.. would not be surprised at all if the whole thing was around 500lbs.

Is the Elise exempt from roll-over safety regulations?.. must be.

 

[LindsayNB]

Weight is the key - where the Leaf approaches 1,600kg, the Esflow has a 900kg goal. The concept stretches this slightly to around 1,000kg, but still has a very low centre of gravity thanks to the battery position, while the 47-53 front-rear weight bias approaches Nissan's 45-55 ideal (as per the GT-R).

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=23216

 

[TRONZ]

The PistonHeads write up is entertaining for just being so cynical towards EV's. They almost refused to even acknowledge that the ESFlow was an EV at all. They were also eager to speculate that Nissan was NOT producing the car even though they have no special insights into Nissan or it's EV programs. They did take some nice pictures of the car though.

 

[ttweed]

They did take some nice pictures of the car though.

And the first mention of a price that I have seen in any of the articles so far: "It could also be affordable. Nissan's target price is 25-30,000 Euros (£25k max)."

 

[evnow]

And the first mention of a price that I have seen in any of the articles so far: "It could also be affordable. Nissan's target price is 25-30,000 Euros (£25k max)."

It was there in the earlier post as well.

Basically Nissan wants this as a competitor to Camero/Mustang - not Corvette.

 

[Herm]

And the first mention of a price that I have seen in any of the articles so far: "It could also be affordable. Nissan's target price is 25-30,000 Euros (£25k max)."

Basically Nissan wants this as a competitor to Camaro/Mustang - not Corvette.

Then forget about the exotic light weight composites.. I think they are aiming slightly higher, perhaps $40-50k market.

 

[evnow]

And the first mention of a price that I have seen in any of the articles so far: "It could also be affordable. Nissan's target price is 25-30,000 Euros (£25k max)."

Basically Nissan wants this as a competitor to Camaro/Mustang - not Corvette.

Then forget about the exotic light weight composites.. I think they are aiming slightly higher, perhaps $40-50k market.

Well, an EV would be costlier, so when I say competitor to Mustang, that still means $40K before tax credits. Afterall Mustang GT is about $30K.

http://www.allcarselectric.com/blog/1055631_nissan-esflow-electric-sportscar-concept-10-facts-you-didnt-know

Don’t get excited. Nissan has no firm plans to make the ESFlow. But after some cajoling Bancon told us that should the ESFlow or a similar sportscar make it to market it would have to retain for between $34,000 and $40,000.

“This is not a rich person’s car, or a hippy car, or a car for some tiny niche in southern California...This is what Nissan is about. We make the car and we make it affordable. €25-30,000 ($34-40,000) should be the maximum.”

As you can see some of that directed towards a certain CA based EV manufacturer

 

[LindsayNB]

There are some nice pictures of the ESFLOW at Geneva at:
http://www.autoguide.com/gallery/gallery.php/v/main/auto-shows/2011-geneva-auto-show/nissan/esflow/Nissan+Esflow+01.JPG.html

If they really could sell these for $40k with 150mile/240km range it's hard to believe they wouldn't sell a lot of them.

 

[TRONZ]

So Nissan is saying that the ESFlow is "production ready" :!:

http://www.egmcartech.com/2011/03/01/nissan-esflow-concept-is-production-ready/

 

[Boomer23]

So Nissan is saying that the ESFlow is "production ready" :!:

http://www.egmcartech.com/2011/03/01/nissan-esflow-concept-is-production-ready/

As I've said, sign me up!

 

[TRONZ]

So Nissan is saying that the ESFlow is "production ready" :!:

http://www.egmcartech.com/2011/03/01/nissan-esflow-concept-is-production-ready/

As I've said, sign me up!

Race ya to the keyboard!!!

 

[evnow]

I think, they will announce Infinity EV & ESFlow together sometime next year - and do a few PR deliveries in December :lol:

 

[Boomer23]

So Nissan is saying that the ESFlow is "production ready" :!:

http://www.egmcartech.com/2011/03/01/nissan-esflow-concept-is-production-ready/

As I've said, sign me up!

Race ya to the keyboard!!!

TRONZ, I was going to say if they release this soon, much before my LEAF lease is up, let's get one to share in South OC. You live about 10 miles from me. We could probably get a few other guys in on this.

But then I realized I wouldn't want to share it. So fuggedaboudit! I'm getting my own.

 

[LEAFguy]

So Nissan is saying that the ESFlow is "production ready" :!:

http://www.egmcartech.com/2011/03/01/nissan-esflow-concept-is-production-ready/

Correction - egmcartech is saying that the ESFLOW is production ready. After reading Nissan's press release and watching the Geneva webcast, nowhere does Nissan say this vehicle is production ready.

Also, not to put too much of a damper on things, but the Elise (which has been mentioned earlier in this thread) sells for $48,000-$54,000. Lightweight technology does not come inexpensively. This article has a link to the animated video of the ESFLOW that they showed in Geneva.

 

[TRONZ]

I think, they will announce Infinity EV & ESFlow together sometime next year - and do a few PR deliveries in December :lol:

I would bet that ESFlow production will coincide immediately with completion of the U.S. Battery Facility and LEAF production in Tenn. It would seem that the second EV in Nissan's "economies of scale" is now on display in Geneva!

BTW - Found some ESFlow Vids on YouTube;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNHIV60y7Dk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlzIrELSapM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwVzBbD_fak&NR=1

 

[mwalsh]

Oh dear. The boys of Top Gear already not very complementary about the ESFLOW! See video at 1:50 (no you're not seeing things...the video is reversed):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n02gpkAI9pc