Billed as a replacement...
Billed as a replacement for the more conservative Almera, it"s been penned at Nissan"s European design HQ in Paddington. The model has unusual glass sections of the roof, which should guarantee an airy cabin - although buyers will have to wait until 2007 to find out. The Tone"s radical look coincides with a Tokyo exhibition marking 50 years of Nissan design.
It looks like a pocket...
It looks like a pocket calculator and is wired into the ignition circuit. Before the driver can start the vehicle, they must watch the LCD screen, which asks them to enter a sequence of numbers within five seconds. It can also get them to operate controls such as the clutch and indicators in a certain order. If they complete the task correctly, the car will fire up. But if they make a mistake, they may be asked to try a new exercise. The engine will not start if they fail repeatedly.
To stop passengers completing the tests on behalf of the driver, the gadget can set a new test every time the vehicle comes to a standstill, such as at red lights and junctions.
Invented by Sonny Persson, of Karlskoga, Sweden, the device has been dubbed the "drug-o-lock". It follows on from the "alco-o-lock" system, which prevents drunks starting their motor if they fail an in-car breath test.