Earlier this month, Nissan unveiled the long anticipated Nissan Ariya, their electric crossover SUV. With striking looks that speak Nissan’s new design language termed ‘Timeless Japanese Futurism’, Ariya’s is also the first face to smile with the brand’s reinvented logo. Ariya is a blend of Nissan’s core strengths – EV and Crossover expertise and they call it a true ‘force of wonder.’ Here is what to expect when it is on road next year.
Nissan Ariya at one glance
With a 100% electric powertrain, the Ariya promises powerful acceleration and smooth, quiet operation. Thanks to autonomous driving technology, concierge-level assistance, seamless connectivity, a lounge-like interior and an estimated range of up to 610 kilometers (based on WLTC Japan cycle), the Ariya is designed for daily commutes and weekend road trips alike.
Dimensions: L x W x H 4595 x 1850 x 1655 mm / Weight 1900 – 2200 kg / Wheelbase 2775 mm / Luggage capacity 2WD 466 L and AWD 408 L / 19” and 20” tyre options
2WD: Battery capacity: Nominal 65 kWh Usable 63 kWh, Output 160 kW, Torque 300 Nm, Top speed 160 kmph, 0 – 100 kmph acceleration 7.5 sec, Estimated range 450 km / Nominal 90 kWh Usable 87 kWh, Output 178 kW, Torque 300 Nm, Top speed 160 kmph, 0 – 100 kmph acceleration 7.6 sec, Estimated range 610 km
4WD: Battery capacity: Nominal 65 kWh Usable 63 kWh, Output 250 kW, Torque 560 Nm, Top speed 0 – 100 kmph, acceleration 5.4 sec, Estimated range 430 km, / Nominal 90 kWh Usable 87 kWh, Output 290 kW, Torque 600 Nm, Top speed 200 kmph, 0 – 100 kmph acceleration 5.1 sec, Estimated range 580 km
The corporate face of Ariya
In his introductory address, Makoto Uchida, Chief Executive Officer of Nissan Motor Company Limited referred to Ariya as standing for “who we are: a passionate, innovative challenger.” Nissan Leaf was launched ten years ago and encouraged by half a million owners, Nissan plans to produce one million electrified cars every year in the future. However, if you didn’t know, Nissan introduced its first electric vehicle in 1947. Named TAMA, this EV could go up to 35 kmph fast and had a range of 65 km. In 2000, Nissan came up with HYPERMINI a two-seater EV that could go up to 115 km on a single charge and sold just over over two hundred units. “With the Ariya, we are bringing the right car at the right time.” Ariya has an all-new EV powertrain and platform and is a blend of our core strengths – EV and crossover expertise.
Nissan’s understanding of what the customer is looking for sure helps – “more productive, efficient and connected drive (achieved) in partnership with technology. Ariya sets the tone for our focus on human-centric technologies.” Ariya represents the best of what Nissan offers including the latest Pro Pilot technology and Nissan Intelligent Mobility. It sets the direction for all future Nissan vehicles and it is only appropriate then that the new logo of Nissan has been presented to the world for the first time, adorning the elegant presence of Ariya.
The CEO emphasised that Nissan Ariya is more than a car. He said Nissan is looking at “a future beyond traffic jams and air pollution; a future that takes us beyond mobility, where the car enriches life and society by connecting cars to society, making them more resilient, inclusive and seamless.”
Ashwani Gupta, the Chief Operating Officer , further elaborated how Ariya is equipped to deliver more autonomy, more electrification and more connectivity. With the combination of cutting edge styling, exhilarating powertrains, a lounge like interior brimming with advanced technology, this car is a perfect symbol of Nissan Intelligent Mobility. “With Ariya, we have strived to amplify the fun-to-drive aspect of electric mobility, combining it with the practicality of the crossover. Ariya strikes a balance between powerful performance and unprecedented control, particularly with the new e-4orce Twin motor all wheel control technology delivering balanced power and handling, and providing instant torque to all wheels, which results in a 0 – 100 kmph time of 5.1 seconds – on par with the 370Z sports car!” Those facts from Gupta sure demand some exuberance for the imminent future.
Driven by technology
Nissan Ariya offers two battery sizes and two drive trains – a Two Wheel Drive and an e-force All Wheel Drive. Ariya also features the e-Pedal (like in the Nissan Leaf) that allows one-pedal driving, where coming off the accelerator induces regenerative braking. Ariya has the latest of Nissan’s Pro Pilot advanced driver assistance and a suite of safety technologies that enables the right measure of assistance for greater control and smoothness of ride. Drivers will feel more confident and well-supported, thanks to the ProPILOT 2.0 and the ProPILOT Remote Park and e-Pedal features. Also standard across the Ariya lineup is Nissan’s Safety Shield system. This includes Intelligent Around View Monitor, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Emergency Braking and Rear Automatic Emergency Braking technology.
Inside the car, the design approach emphasises how occupants interact with the cabin technology and with each other. As per Nissan’s notes, the flat EV platform, compact climate control components and long wheelbase make for D-segment level interior space in a C-segment vehicle.
Techy as an EV is expected to be, Nissan Ariya can upgrade itself through firmware updates over the air. The car communicates through a dual display interface – a 12.3-inch instrument monitor and 12.3-inch center display along a single horizon so as to gather information at one glance. The multimedia screen can be controlled by touch, swipe, pinch or zoom. The Ariya also features a full-color heads-up display, one of the largest in the segment. The Ariya is equipped with a hybrid voice recognition system that responds to “Hey Nissan!” or “Hello Nissan!” and serves up vehicle information, searches for destinations, selects a playlist or even sets the cabin temperature. The car also features Amazon Alexa that can turn on your living room lights or open the garage door as you drive home; connect to the car while you are at home to check battery status and remaining range; or can be used within the car to activate your playlist or even turn on the lights – all with voice commands! Interestingly, in this concierge-class personal assistance, Nissan is inspired by a Japanese custom of honouring the customer – Omotenashi.
e-4ORCE technology for All Wheel Drive EVs
The combination of an electric motor and battery pack provides levels of acceleration and torque once reserved for supercars or bullet trains. Nissan has named its latest electric powertrain technology e-4ORCE. The “e” in e-4ORCE stands for Nissan’s 100% electric motor drive system. “4ORCE” (pronounced force) refers to the vehicle’s physical power and energy, with “4” representing all-wheel control. e-4ORCE is an advanced system built around dual electric motors. Until now, Nissan EVs including the Leaf have used a single electric motor, typically for front-wheel drive. With models like the Ariya crossover in sight, an all-wheel-drive system is a logical next step.
Nissan’s e-powertrain control technology in the e-4ORCE test car reacts to driver input with ultra-precision control that’s three times faster than the blink of an eye. This not only provides the driver with instant, smooth acceleration; it also ensures that the e-4ORCE control technology provides balanced chassis control, line tracing, and steering precision at all times, keeping the vehicle’s behaviour predictable, even during sudden manoeuvres. The system constantly modulates the output of each onboard twin electric motor as well as each wheel brake control to create dependable control for the driver.
The all-new Nissan Ariya is scheduled to go on sale in Japan in mid-2021 and later in the year in Europe, North America and China. It will be priced at around 5 million yen. That is approx. 175,000 dirhams but a launch date for the UAE or the Middle East hasn’t been announced yet.
