With stricter emissions and fuel economy standards looming worldwide, automakers are continually looking for ways to make vehicles lighter. One such trick is to use electronics to replace mechanical linkages for a car’s major systems — such as steering and brakes. And while companies like Toyota and Mercedes-Benz have experimented with this technology in the past, it looks like Nissan will take it to a whole other level.
The biggest criticism for X-by-wire technology is that electronics can deteriorate over the life of the vehicle, but Nissan has addressed this flax with an X-drive concept car based on the last-generation Murano. By using the technology in the car’s steering, transmission and brakes, Nissan engineers were able to remove several pumps, fluids, hoses, and brake components with electronic parts. As a result, the concept car not only has a lower curb weight, but also has much more available space.
According to MotorAuthority, the changes gave Nissan engineers enough room to add a third row of seats to the Murano. In all, the addition of the electronic systems added 110mm to the Murano’s interior length.
Nissan hasn’t set a time frame for the technology to appear in its road cars, but with CAFE standards kicking in in 2011, it shouldn’t be too long.
