Nissan Cube, 2002

Designer: Shiro Nakamura

The 2002 Nissan Cube is among the bolder designs to come out of Nakamura's team. It's the second version of the tall, boxy wagon. The first was released in 1998, a year before Nakamura arrived. The design contradicts itself, as its boxy frame is softened by rounded edges and the circular grill and headlights. It's meant to be "naughty, relaxing, compact, and agile."

It's reminiscent of the boxy Toyota Scion and Honda Element but is smaller, with a more quirky, asymmetrical design. The car has been sold only in Japan, to Nakamura's disappointment. But thanks to the success of the similarly boxy Scion -- particularly with 20-somethings -- Nissan may sell the 2007 model in the U.S.