What is it?
Nissan mm
What's special about it?
At the Tokyo Motor Show, small, goofy-looking cars are as prominent as bare midriffs at a Christina Aguilera concert. The Nissan mm piqued our interest because of its four-wheel-drive system. The E-4WD system in this car was developed to provide better fuel efficiencies and maximized passenger compartment space. The E-4WD is a lightweight, compact design that makes use of Nissan's hybrid vehicle technologies. The system consists of a rear-wheel-drive unit comprising a motor, clutch and reduction gear, a generator that serves as the power source for driving the motor, and a 4WD control unit that manages the drive system.
When the front wheels slip, the 4WD control unit activates the generator to produce electric power for operating the motor installed at the rear of the vehicle. The power produced by the motor is transferred via the clutch to the rear wheels. During ordinary driving, the clutch of the rear-wheel-drive unit is disengaged to create a 2WD system for more economical driving.
Because the rear wheels are driven by the rear-mounted motor, there is no need for a "propeller shaft," which creates 4WD capability without sacrificing interior space. Moreover, this approach also provides a lighter 4WD system, thereby contributing to improved fuel economy, as well. The system can also be switched between 4WD and 2WD using a single dashboard switch.
Why should you care?
While the mm won't likely be coming to the United States, its E-4WD system could possibly make an appearance on another future Nissan product. — Brent Romans
Nissan mm
What's special about it?
At the Tokyo Motor Show, small, goofy-looking cars are as prominent as bare midriffs at a Christina Aguilera concert. The Nissan mm piqued our interest because of its four-wheel-drive system. The E-4WD system in this car was developed to provide better fuel efficiencies and maximized passenger compartment space. The E-4WD is a lightweight, compact design that makes use of Nissan's hybrid vehicle technologies. The system consists of a rear-wheel-drive unit comprising a motor, clutch and reduction gear, a generator that serves as the power source for driving the motor, and a 4WD control unit that manages the drive system.
When the front wheels slip, the 4WD control unit activates the generator to produce electric power for operating the motor installed at the rear of the vehicle. The power produced by the motor is transferred via the clutch to the rear wheels. During ordinary driving, the clutch of the rear-wheel-drive unit is disengaged to create a 2WD system for more economical driving.
Because the rear wheels are driven by the rear-mounted motor, there is no need for a "propeller shaft," which creates 4WD capability without sacrificing interior space. Moreover, this approach also provides a lighter 4WD system, thereby contributing to improved fuel economy, as well. The system can also be switched between 4WD and 2WD using a single dashboard switch.
Why should you care?
While the mm won't likely be coming to the United States, its E-4WD system could possibly make an appearance on another future Nissan product. — Brent Romans
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