Not sure if my Fiendish friends know how much I love the now suddenly last generation Cube, but boy, I love it. Similar to the Mini, it offered a lot of design for very little cash (about $11,000). Plus, terricloth interior. Only two problems. 1) Right hand drive. 2) Not for sale in AMERICA! Well, all that changes this Spring. Cause there’s a new cube in town, and… it’s rounder. I’m passing no judgement on the exterior at this point (I’ll leave that to you) but I am a little disheartened in regards to the interior. The last Cube was a clinic in Japanese Baushaus. Function dictated all forms (world’s greatest drug mule) and it had a built-in umbrella holder. The new interior has some funky features (like a bungee sunglasses holder built into the door) but it just kinda looks, dare I say it, normal. Shame. But don’t let me doom and gloom you — us Americans need more cars like the Cube. I’m glad it’s coming here. USA! USA! (Japan…) Nerdy stuff after the jump.

At a Glance: 2009 Nissan Cube

The 2009 Nissan Cube builds on the heritage of two previous Cube generations with a thoughtful, expressive design that is economical, dependable and fun to own. It offers an exterior look that is unlike any other vehicle on the road – with a whimsical combination of squares and circles, along with an asymmetrical wraparound rear window and refrigerator- style rear door. It is scheduled to go on sale in North America in spring 2009.

The new Cube’s roomy interior is designed as an inviting social space for up to five passengers, with comfortable front seating and a three-position sliding, reclining theater- style rear seat. Unique interior features include asymmetrical Fine Vision gauges, “Water Drop” interior accents and detachable multi-hooks.

Cube also meets the practical needs of today’s active, environmentally aware drivers, providing a small footprint with a large interior space – along with expected fuel efficiency of over 30 mpg Highway with the CVT transmission (actual EPA estimates not available at this time).

The front-wheel drive Cube is built on Nissan’s proven B-platform and is available with a standard 122-horsepower 1.8-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine and a choice of Nissan’s advanced, smooth shifting Xtronic CVT^™ (Continuously Variable Transmission) or 6-speed manual transmission.

Available Cube technology includes the Nissan Intelligent Key™ with Push Button Ignition, Bluetooth^® Hands-free Phone System, Rockford Fosgate subwoofer with six speakers, XM^® Satellite Radio (XM^® subscription required, sold separately) and Interface System for iPod^®.

Cube is offered in three well-equipped models: Cube 1.8, Cube 1.8 S and Cube 1.8 SL. A wide range of accessories is offered, allowing Cube owners to personalize their vehicles to reflect their own tastes and needs.

Highlights of the 2009 Nissan Cube include:

Body

1. 99.6-inch wheelbase, 156-7-inch length, 66.7-inch width, 65.0-inch height

1. 58.1-inch front track/58.3-inch rear track

1. Unique “witty” design with wheels pushed out to the corners, high-visibility near-vertical A-pillars, large window areas with “photo frame” front windows and iconic asymmetrical rear “wraparound” window

1. Wide door openings, refrigerator-style rear door

1. Multi-reflector halogen headlights, fixed roof antenna

1. Body-color bumpers and door handles

1. Exclusive exterior colors

Engine and Driveline

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1. Front engine/front-wheel drive

1. Nissan “B” platform

1. 1.8-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder engine, rated at 122 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque

1. Available Nissan Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission) with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC)

2. Available 6-speed manual transmission

Suspension, Steering and Braking

1. Independent front strut with coil springs and stabilizer bar

1. Torsion bar rear axle with integrated stabilizer bar

1. Vehicle-speed-sensing electric power-assisted steering

1. Power-assisted vented front disc/rear drum brakes

1. Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA)

2. Standard 15-inch steel wheels with P195/60R15 all-season tires

Interior Features

1. A unique mix of fashion and functionality

1. Roomy, comfortable “lounge” interior with wide front bucket seats

1. Sliding reclining 2^nd row “sofa style” theater layout bench seat

2. “Floating meter pod” instrument panel with large diameter Fine Vision gauges

1. “Water Drop” interior accents (headliner, controls, cupholders, door speakers)

1. Available “witty” details and accessories including instrument panel/door “Magic Rubber Bands,” detachable multi-hook holders, console pockets and instrument panel mats

1. Power door locks with auto-locking feature

1. Power windows with one-touch down driver’s window

1. Remote Keyless Entry system

1. Adjustable front seat belt anchors

1. Front door map pockets, six cupholders and five bottle holders

1. Available Interface System for iPod^®

2. Available aluminum pedal covers

1. Available cargo cover

1. Available Nissan Intelligent Key™ with Push Button Ignition

1. Available Bluetooth^® Hands-free Phone System

2. Available Rockford Fosgate subwoofer with six speakers

1. Available XM^® Satellite Radio (XM^® subscription required, sold separately)

2. Available rear sonar system

Safety and Security

1. Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS)

1. Seat-mounted driver and front-passenger side-impact supplemental air bags

1. Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection

2. Front-seat Active Head Restraints

1. Standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

1. Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS).

1. Zone Body construction

1. LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)

1. Child safety rear door locks, child seat upper tether anchors

Models and Manufacturing

• Offered three well-equipped models: 1.8, 1.8 S and 1.8 SL