#CAS09 Normally, carmakers wait until after they've introduced a car to unveil a special edition of that car.
But the always-ahead-of-the-curve Nissan gave a sneak peek of a special edition of its button-cute bulldog Cube this evening in preparation for its unveiling tomorrow at the Chicago auto show. And because the kids love them some crazy spelling, the company has named this model the Krom. This is supposed to be pronounced "chrome," which, come to think of it, is a crazy way to spell chrome, too. Anyway, we've taken to calling it the "kchrahm," with a guttural consonant sound produced between the back of the tongue and the palate.
It comes with front grilles that are finished in Krom and Krom-look shiny 16-inch wheels. It also comes with side skirts, a deeper rear fascia and a rear roof spoiler. Inside, the Krom comes with an iPod interface, Bluetooth, 20-color interior accent lighting and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Nissan notes that it will offer the Krom in, among other colors, "Supper Black," which sounds delicious. It doesn't look as good as the regular Cube, though.
The Krom is the work of Nissan's Specialty Vehicles Group, which promises to bring another Nissan special edition to April's New York auto show.
Incidentally, the standard Cube with a six-speed manual will start at $13,990, without destination. That's a couple thousand cheaper than the Cube's bigger, more powerful spiritual brother, the Scion xB.
Read Inside Line's story on the Nissan Cube Krom.
moparbad says:
10:03 PM, 02/10/09
Hard to believe this Cube is smaller than xB.
If the 1.8L in Cube is really less powerful than 1.5L in xB that is really pathetic.
I like this Cube.
firstwagon says:
10:36 PM, 02/10/09
The 1.8 has 122 HP which is a lot more then the 1.5. The xB however has a 2.4.
I think you're thinking of the old Echo xB (the cool version), not the new Camry version (the old man version).
niceboat says:
10:44 PM, 02/10/09
Is the Krom, a USDM Cube Rider?
I like it...
orangutan says:
07:47 AM, 02/11/09
"always ahead of the curve Nissan" ? Really? How much money did that rake in? At least try and disguise your sales pitch.
trackwrex says:
08:43 AM, 02/11/09
I want to see a person go up to a Nissan dealership and say with a straight face, "Hi. I'd like to buy a Cube with a Ginormous Package".
trackwrex says:
08:47 AM, 02/11/09
Here's a snippet from the release:
For added convenience, a number of accessories have been grouped into special packages – the Interior Designer Package, the Interior Illumination Package and the Ginormous Package, featuring a range of items including the aero body kit, interior accent lighting and interior appliqués.
danielpund says:
08:54 AM, 02/11/09
orangutan,
You don't suspect that that might have been sarcasm, do you.
Dan
moparbad says:
10:02 AM, 02/11/09
Wow, I just looked at the Scion site at the new xB and it is terrible. Big and ugly.
I prefer the original boxy, small, efficient xB.
gtr4me says:
04:15 PM, 02/11/09
For $13,000.. come on now! I doubt you can find something better than this!
firstwagon says:
06:01 PM, 02/11/09
The Kia Soul will likely be a closer competitor then the xB.
vvk says:
11:55 AM, 02/13/09
So no 1.6/5-speed for us then? That combo is so much better, both the engine and the gearbox.