Anyone accusing New Yorkers of being cold, indifferent, and self-important is only correct about the last part. New York is the greatest city in the world, so New Yorkers should be excused for any superiority they feel over those who live outside the five boroughs. But New Yorkers are neither cold nor indifferent. When they see something they like (or don?t), you?ll know about it. For instance, when I whipped Nissan?s New Mobility Concept around Manhattan, cyclists and cab drivers and otherwise dumbfounded citizens fell in love with all 92 inches of it.
?It?s a lot smarter than the f**king Smart car,? exclaimed one cyclist, peering down into the tiny bubble cabin.
Maybe it is. The New Mobility Concept is a rebadged Renault Twizy (we?ll call it Twizy from here on out). Yet another strangely endearing French design from Nissan?s corporate partner, the Twizy has been on sale in Europe since 2011 as a quad/microcar/neighborhood electric vehicle. Looking somewhat like a motorized Little Tikes CozyCoupe, the Twizy is 14.1 inches stubbier and 16.8 inches narrower than a Smart Fortwo. Nissan just started renting these cutesy buggies by the hour in San Francisco, and while it has no intention of offering them elsewhere in the U.S., the company?s PR staff packed a bunch in their suitcases so New Yorkers could gawk at them during the city?s auto show week.
?That?s great, you?re not polluting the f**king air. Good for you!? said a man who appeared to be 10 feet tall.
Every person app...