First shown in Paris last year, the Nissan Townpod is definitely a concept and absolutely podlike. Can't comment on its townworthiness at this time.
Said to be an EV -- this is in Nissan's EV-centric booth, remember -- the Townpod is a compact HHR-shaped thing that is intended to be equal parts commercial-grade van and daily driver. Think configurable, like a Ford Transit Connect. Only smaller.
It's definitely user-friendly. For your viewing enjoyment across the jump, I give you a gallery of the Townpod showing off wide-opening cargo access and suicide doors. And who doesn't love suicide doors?
alphabetfuel says:
08:21 AM, 11/30/11
Fry: Are you crazy? I can't swallow that.
Professor Farnsworth: Well, then good news! It's a suppository
Never understood Japans obsesion with urban pod concepts... than again I never understood a lot of things from Japan...squatter toilets, tanuki, anime, the prius family etc
altimadude05 says:
08:40 AM, 11/30/11
Looks like a character from "Cars."
transpower says:
08:49 AM, 11/30/11
Homely as hell. I live in the suburbs, not center city, so I positively have no interest in pure electric vehicles. I love hybrids, though, and the Mitsubishi PX-MiEV II looks like it's precisely what I want.
jeepsrt says:
09:15 AM, 11/30/11
I know we have to find alternative fuels and not use as much oil but the future is going to suck!
vhorizon says:
09:44 AM, 11/30/11
next generation will be called "Townpad"
csubowtie says:
11:23 AM, 11/30/11
They must intentionally be designing cars to have "faces". That one even has a "nose" to go along with the usual eyes and grin. WAIT!! Where's that magnetic mustache at....
rjchev11 says:
05:03 AM, 12/ 2/11
altimadude05, It probably looks like the character from"Engine Sentai Go-Onger"