If you think that cars on swivel wheels are a fantasy from movies about the future, then Nissan Pivo 2 will prove the opposite. This concept car, presented in 2007 at the Tokyo Motor Show, became a real breakthrough in the automotive industry. The car doesn't just drive sideways or turn around on the spot - it rethinks the very idea of maneuverability in urban environments.
Unlike its predecessor Nissan Pivo (2005), the second version received a fully electric platform, a unique system turning the wheels 90 degrees and a futuristic design that still inspires admiration today. But why didn’t this concept go into production? And what technologies from Pivo 2 found application in modern models Nissan? Let's look into it in detail.
Technical characteristics of Nissan Pivo 2: what's under the hood of the "pivot" car
Under the compact body Nissan Pivo 2 hiding an all-electric powertrain. Two electric motors - one for each axle - provide total power about 100 hp (exact data varies among sources). The peculiarity of the concept is that the engines operate independently: this allows not only to turn on the spot, but also to implement the function Diagonal Driving — diagonal movement due to different wheel speeds.
Battery Pivo 2 - lithium-ion, with a capacity sufficient for 160–200 km mileage on one charge (according to 2007 standards). Charging took about 4–6 hours from a household outlet. It's interesting that engineers Nissan experimented with the regenerative braking system that has become standard on electric vehicles today. However, in Pivo 2 it was integrated with the wheel turning system - when turning on the spot, the energy was returned to the battery.
- 🔋 Battery type: Li-ion, 24 kWh (approx.)
- ⚡ Power: 2 × 50 hp (total ~100 hp)
- 🔄 Unique Feature: wheel rotation 90° + sideways/diagonal movement
- 📏 Dimensions: 2700 × 1695 × 1550 mm (smaller than Nissan Micra)
The concept was equipped with a system Advanced Parking Assist, which automatically parked the car sideways in tight spaces - technology that was 10+ years ahead of its time. For comparison: similar functions appeared in production cars only in 2015–2018.
How swivel wheels work: mechanics and electronics
The main "trick" Nissan Pivo 2 - system In-Wheel Motors, where each motor is built directly into the wheel. This made it possible to abandon traditional drive shafts and differentials, simplifying the design. But how do the wheels turn 90 degrees?
Responsible for this electromechanical drive with servomotors, which synchronizes the rotation of all four wheels. The process takes about 2-3 seconds and is activated by a button on the steering wheel. In this case, the system automatically blocks movement to avoid tipping over. Engineers Nissan claimed that the car’s center of gravity is designed to prevent loss of stability even during sudden maneuvers.
| Parameter | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel turning angle | 90° | Full turn forward/backward/sideways |
| Turning time | 2–3 sec | Depends on vehicle speed |
| Max. diagonal speed | ~15 km/h | Security limitation |
| Stabilization system | ESP + gyroscopes | Prevents tipping |
The key disadvantage of the system is wear of mechanisms. According to the developers, the rotary units required regular lubrication and calibration, which made the concept impractical for mass production. In addition, the electronics of that time could not guarantee 100% reliability during frequent turns.
- This is the future!
- Interesting, but unreliable
- Useless feature
- Better than traditional mechanics
Design and interior: futuristic minimalism
Appearance Nissan Pivo 2 resembles a spacecraft rather than a car. The body is made in the style "single-volume" with rounded shapes and a full glass roof. the front part is devoid of the traditional radiator grille - it is replaced by an LED panel that displays the vehicle’s status (charging, moving, turning).
There are no usual pedals in the interior of the concept: instead of them - joystick control, similar to a game controller. The steering wheel is round, but can transform into an armrest when the autopilot is activated. The seats are arranged in a 2+2 configuration, but the back row is intended more for children - space is limited due to its compact dimensions.
- 🎨 Color options: metallic silver + blue LED accents
- 🪑 Seats: ultra-thin, heated and ventilated
- 📱 Multimedia: head-up display on the windshield (HUD prototype)
- 🔄 Transformation: The steering wheel folds into "rest mode"
Fun fact: designers Nissan were inspired Japanese capsule hotels, seeking to make the most of the interior space. Therefore, there are almost no “dead spots” in the cabin - there are even storage niches under the floor.
Why doesn't Pivo 2 have side mirrors?
Instead, cameras were used to display images on displays in the cabin. Technology Around View Monitor, which debuted in this concept, later appeared in production Nissan crossovers (for example, Qashqai 2010).
Environmental friendliness and energy efficiency: ahead of time
Nissan Pivo 2 became one of the first concepts where sustainability was a priority. The car is not only fully electric, but also uses energy recycling when braking and turning. For example, when turning on the spot, part of the kinetic energy is returned to the battery.
The body is made of carbon fiber and aluminum, which reduces weight by 30% compared to steel counterparts. Aerodynamics are thought out to the smallest detail: drag coefficient (Cx) is only 0.25 - better than many modern electric vehicles. For comparison: Tesla Model 3 this indicator is 0.23, and Nissan Leaf — 0.28.
⚠️ Attention: Despite environmentally friendly claims, 2007 lithium-ion batteries had a limited lifespan of about 1,000 charge cycles. This meant that after 3–4 years of operation, the battery capacity could decrease by 20–30%.
Engineers Nissan also experimented with solar panels on the roof, but their power was only enough to power the on-board electronics, and not to charge the main battery. However, this idea was later implemented in production models, e.g. Nissan Leaf with option Solar Roof.
Why Nissan Pivo 2 did not go into production: 5 key reasons
Despite revolutionary ideas, Nissan Pivo 2 it remained a concept. Here are the main reasons:
- Mechanical complexity. The swivel wheels required constant maintenance, which made the car expensive to operate.
- Security. When driving sideways at high speeds, the risk of rollover increased, and the 2007 stability systems could not guarantee 100% control.
- Price. Serial production would have cost 2–3 times more than a conventional electric car of that time.
- Infrastructure. In 2007, there were not enough charging stations to support mass adoption of electric cars.
- Market demand. Consumers were not ready for such radical innovation.
However, many technologies Pivo 2 found application in other projects Nissan:
- 🔄 Around View Monitor - now standard in crossovers Nissan.
- ⚡ Regenerative braking - used in Leaf And Ariya.
- 🎛️ Electronic steering wheel — prototype of systems
Drive-by-Wire.
The Nissan Pivo 2 became a testing ground for technologies that seem commonplace today. Its main mission is to inspire engineers to experiment boldly, and not to become a production car.
Heirs of Pivo 2: where are swivel wheels used today?
Although Nissan Pivo 2 did not reach the conveyor, the idea of swivel wheels did not die. Today it is being developed in several directions:
1. Urban electric cars. For example, Toyota i-Road (2013) - a three-wheeled concept with a tilting body and wheels that rotate 60°. It is designed for car sharing and is already being tested in Japan.
2. Robotaxi. Company Zoox (belongs to Amazon) is developing an autonomous taxi with steering wheels for maneuvering in heavy traffic. Their model is capable of unfolding on the spot, like Pivo 2.
3. Industrial technology. Forklifts and warehouse robots have long used such systems to navigate narrow aisles.
I wonder what Nissan did not abandon the idea completely: in 2019 the company patented the system e-4ORCE with individual control of each wheel. She made her debut in the crossover Ariya, however, without the 90° rotation function.
If you like the idea of a compact electric car with extraordinary agility, check out Renault Twizy or Citroën Ami. They do not turn sideways, but their turning radius is comparable to Pivo 2 - about 3.5 meters.
Videos and test drives: what Pivo 2 looks like in motion
Unfortunately, Nissan Pivo 2 It was never sold, but videos of it being demonstrated at car shows can be found online. For example, on YouTube There are videos where the concept turns on the spot and moves sideways:
- 🎥 Official video from Nissan (2007). All functions shown including
Diagonal Driving. - 📹 Test drive from Top Gear. Journalists try to control Pivo 2 and share their impressions.
- 🖥️ 3D animation of wheel mechanics. Explains in detail how the turning system works.
One of the most memorable videos is when Pivo 2 parks in a narrow passage between two cars, without backing up, but simply turning sideways. The demonstration caused a stir at the Tokyo Motor Show and inspired other manufacturers to experiment with agility.
⚠️ Attention: If you find offers for sale Nissan Pivo 2 - this is a scam. Only 2–3 prototypes were produced, and all of them are in museums Nissan or private collections. The price of such a concept at auction could exceed $1 million.
FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions about the Nissan Pivo 2
Could the Nissan Pivo 2 be driven on regular roads?
Theoretically, yes, but in practice its use would be limited. The maximum speed was about 100 km/h, however, when driving sideways or diagonally, the system automatically limited the speed to 15-20 km/h for safety reasons. In addition, swivel wheels are not designed for off-road driving or uneven surfaces.
Why don't Pivo 2 have traditional pedals?
Engineers Nissan We wanted to simplify management as much as possible, especially for beginners. Used instead of pedals joystick, which regulated acceleration and braking by a smooth tilt (like in an airplane). This idea was later implemented in some concepts Toyota And Honda, but did not make it into production models due to drivers’ habit of the classic pedal system.
Is it possible to buy or lease a Nissan Pivo 2 today?
No. All prototypes are in museums or at private exhibitions. However, in 2023 Nissan announced the project "Nissan Ambition 2030", within which some ideas may be revived Pivo 2 in new concepts. Follow the news about Nissan Hyper Urban - this could be a spiritual successor Pivo.
What modern cars are similar to Pivo 2?
There are no complete analogues, but they are close in spirit:
- Toyota i-Road - a three-wheeled electric vehicle with a tilting body.
- Zoox Autonomous Vehicle — robotaxi with swivel wheels.
- Renault Morphoz — a concept with a transformable body.
Will Nissan make cars with swivel wheels in the future?
The probability is low, but Nissan actively develops technologies e-4ORCE (all-wheel drive with individual wheel control). In 2026–2030, we can expect models with advanced maneuvering systems, perhaps for autonomous taxis or urban car sharing vehicles.