Nissan Pivo 2 news - The aliens have landed - 2007

Nissan has been brushing up on its sci-fi for the upcoming Tokyo motor show.

Looking every bit the evil mechanical spawn of the tripods from War of the Worlds - with a bit of those arachnids from Starship Troopers thrown in for good measure - this is the Pivo 2, an electric concept due to be unveiled at Nissan's home show.

If the Pivo 2 looks familiar, that's not just because it has been styled on every outer-space mechanoid ever to hit the silver screen.

We saw the original Pivo - with its rotating cabin and battery power - at the Tokyo show two years ago, but the Pivo 2 adds even more madness to the mix.

That cabin will still spin through 360 degrees - meaning you'll never need to reverse - but now those wheels will also angle to 90 degrees, allowing the Pivo 2 to shuffle sideways like a crab.

Each of the wheels contains an individual electric motor and, in proper 2001: A Space Odyssey fashion, the Pivo 2 features a 'Robotic Agent' which, says Nissan, ensures 'you are never alone'. Apparently, the Robotic Agent will communicate with you on every matter, from basic vehicle functions to finding the nearest parking space.

And, of course, destroying the humanoids. Maybe.