Nissan Revives Pixo Nameplate for New Electric City Car
The compact EV, expected to cost around £18,000, will offer 161 miles of range and feature AI-powered assistance.
Nissan is reintroducing the Pixo nameplate for a new electric city car, slated to launch with a price tag around £18,000. This compact EV aims to make electric mobility more accessible in Europe, positioning itself below the anticipated Micra EV.
The new Pixo shares significant design and engineering similarities with the Renault Twingo electric city car, a result of the ongoing partnership between Nissan and Renault. Both vehicles will be manufactured in the same factory in Slovenia. The Pixo's exterior features a fresh interpretation of Nissan's compact EV design language, characterized by curved proportions, clean surfaces, and a confident stance. Distinctive elements include a "robot face" bumper, pixel-inspired lighting, and unique wheel designs, differentiating it from its Renault counterpart.
Internally, the Pixo accommodates four adults and offers practical storage solutions. It measures 3,796mm long and 1,790mm wide, making it easy to maneuver and park in urban environments, boasting a tight turning circle of 9.9 meters. The rear seats can slide to enhance versatility for carrying larger items. The cabin provides 18 liters of storage, while the boot offers 356 liters of space, including a dedicated 50-liter area for cable storage, which Nissan claims is best-in-class.
The Pixo is equipped with an advanced technology suite, including Google built-in and Gemini AI, which supports navigation, entertainment, and communication in 16 languages. Gemini AI is designed to learn driver preferences over time through conversation history to personalize the driving experience. The vehicle also incorporates Face ID technology, allowing it to recognize drivers and automatically load their personalized settings. These features are accessed via a 7-inch driver display and a 10-inch central touchscreen.
For its powertrain, the Pixo utilizes an all-new Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery, marking its first application in a Nissan model in Europe. This battery provides an estimated range of 161 miles, sufficient for typical urban driving. Charging capabilities include a 50kW DC rapid charger, capable of taking the battery from 15% to 80% in 28 minutes. The car is powered by an 80bhp electric motor delivering 129 lb-ft of torque, enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 12.1 seconds.
The original Nissan Pixo, sold in Britain from 2009, was a small petrol city car closely related to the Suzuki Alto, marking a significant departure from the previous generation. The new electric Pixo will compete in a segment that includes rivals such as the Renault Twingo EV, expected to cost around £17,000 with a range of 163 miles. Other potential competitors mentioned include the Volkswagen ID. Polo, which offers a longer range of up to 281 miles, and the forthcoming Citroen 2CV, which may be priced below the Twingo.