Nissan Wave is Prepared to be an Urban Electric Car with Retro Feel

Nissan Wave will be the twin brother of Renault Twingo. (Photo Renault)

JAKARTA - The trend of reviving legendary cars is getting stronger in the era of electrification. One of them is Nissan which takes steps to dig up the typical Japanese nostalgia and pack it in a tiny electric hatchback through a model called Wave, which combines retro design heritage with the needs of future mobility.

According to a report by Autocar, Thursday, January 8, the tiny electric hatchback is scheduled to launch next year, produced by Renault together with its twin Twingo, and will be positioned as the lowest model in Nissan's product lineup. Given that the latest Micra itself is inspired by the Renault 5, this move makes sense and is quite strategic.

However, Wave is rumored to offer a stronger retro charm. Nissan is rumored to have taken inspiration from the iconic Pike car line of the late 1980s to early 1990s. This special division has produced favorite JDM models such as Figaro, Pao and S-Cargo.

Despite being based on a simple mechanic, Pike cars are known for their strong character, a philosophy that is now trying to be revived through Wave, similar to Renault's approach to its new EV line. Behind the retro look, the Nissan Wave will basically be a technical copy of its twin brother from Renault.

This means that this car is estimated to carry a 27.5 kWh battery with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry to reduce production costs. The range is around 163 miles or 262 Km which is considered enough to meet daily needs in the city, not for long trips.

The target market is also clear, urban young drivers who need a compact, practical, and affordable electric car. The initial price below 27,000 US dollars is the main key so that Wave can compete and attract the attention of its potential consumers.

Nissan itself has been seriously absent in this segment since Pixo disappeared in 2013. If the Wave is really able to combine low prices, adequate mileage, and retro appeal, this car could be proof that small cars still have a big magnet.