Nissan Ariya: new EV crossover presented in Tokyo

On Wednesday, 15 July, Nissan presented its new electric SUV crossover, the Ariya, in a new pavilion in its home turf Yokohama. In Europe, the newcomer will be available in five versions, two front-wheel driven, and three four-wheel driven.

The new car sits high on its wheels but has a sleek coupe-style design, which makes it a so-called crossover. The real production car is very much based on the concept Ariya that was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in October last year.

The Ariya announces a new era of vehicle technology where electrification, optimized platform use, and AI vehicle technology are of utmost importance. Of course, Ariya is equipped with the three elements of Nissan Mobility: Intelligent Power, Intelligent Drive, and Intelligent Integration.

Design evolution

Nissan announces Ariya’s design as part of the Timeless Japanese Futurism that will guide the Nissan designers in the future. Nissan also used the venue of the new EV to launch a new logo design with 20 LEDs.

The exterior design is sleek and determined by characteristic LED lights in the front and the rear. The new car was presented in a new copper-colored double pattern called Akatsuki.

The interior wants to be efficient and comfortable. It has a rather loungy atmosphere and seats five. The flat floor and the tin seats create a feeling of space and airiness. The minimalistic dashboard has no classic switches, but so-called haptic touch switches that only show when needed.

e-4ORCE

The Ariya will be available with only the front wheels driven or with all-wheel drive. The latter is called e-4ORCE. It has two electromotors, one in the front and one in the rear, which can also be used to stabilize the car and make it feel safer. Regenerative braking is done with the rear engine so that this 4WD Ariya doesn’t lean forward too much while decelerating.

The car can also be ordered with two different battery packs, one with 63 kWh useable power, and one with 87 kWh. The basic front-wheel-drive car has a 160 kW electromotor in the front and gets a 360 km range (WLTP) with the 63 kWh battery pack.

If the 87 kWh battery pack is mounted, the power increases to 178 kW, and the range goes up to 500 km. When we talk about the 4WD e-4orce, the basic version develops 205 kW out of the two engines and gets 340 km out of its 63 kWh battery.

With the 87 kWh battery pack, there are two versions: one developing 225 kW joined power, having a range of 460 km. The Performance version has 290 kW combined power and 400 km range. This 2,3-ton weighing Ariya accelerates in 5,1 seconds up to 100 kph.

European charging

For charging, the new Ariya uses the European Combined Charging System (CCS). The 63 kWh versions are charged via a 7,4 kW home charger, the 87 kWh versions have a 3-phase 22 kW charger. Fast charging can be done up to 130 kW.

The Ariya also provides the newest driving aids while driving and parking. Like the Nissan Leaf second generation, it allows e-Pedal driving (accelerating and decelerating using only one pedal).

Of course, connectivity is crucial in Ariya. It proposes the most advanced systems, and Intelligent Integration makes sure that the software remains up to date. Further equipment details and prices will be communicated when the car arrives in Europe, probably at the second half of next year.