ELECTRIC EXPERIENCE
Nissan’s latest EV has been a very longtime coming — and it’s something truly different
Was it worth the wait? That’s the big question about the Nissan Ariya, the Japanese automaker’s all-electric crossover utility vehicle that was launched at a virtual event in Yokohama.
Along with Tesla Motors, Nissan has been at the forefront of the global, decade-long EV charge. For fans of the Leaf, and the automaker itself, it has been a long, at times excruciating, wait for the next Nissan EV.
But Nissan’s first all-electric CUV has arrived and while it will still be some months before we get the opportunity to drive the Ariya, the specs that were released, along with a few dozen exterior and interior images, are very encouraging.
Here’s what we know.
The Ariya will be available in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations, and will come with a choice of two batteries. The first is the standard 65 kwh with an output of 160 kw (215 horsepower), torque of 221 pound-feet and a full-charge range of 321 kilometres. Second is a long-range 90 kwh pack with output of 290 kw (389 hp), torque of 443 lb-ft, and a range of 482 km (ranges are preliminary
Nissan estimates).
A centrepiece of the Ariya’s drivetrain technology is the all-wheel-drive system, dubbed E-4ORCE. As with the Leaf’s revolutionary e-pedal system, which introduced the concept of one-pedal driving, this twin electric motor represents a big leap forward for AWD EVS. It is, according to Nissan media notes, “the progeny of the Nissan GT-R’S ATTESA E-TS torquesplit system.”
The system is designed to apply independent brake control at each of the four wheels to maximize the cornering force generated by each one, in addition to optimizing front and rear torque allocation. All this promises to provide a very direct steering-input feel, while managing power output and braking performance. Regenerative torque is distributed to all four wheels.
In addition to having e-pedal, the Ariya also comes with the latest iteration of Nissan’s advanced driver-assistance technology, PROPILOT Assist 2.0. Working with a full suite of active safety features, it allows for some hands-off driving and hints at that autonomous future we keep being told is coming soon.
There are no such subtle hints to that future when it comes to the Ariya’s cabin, described in media notes as a “lounge” and embracing a design philosophy Nissan refers to as “timeless Japanese futurism.” Looking at images of the interior, particularly the thin seats and spacious leg room front and rear, the Ariya appears to be the first production vehicle to incorporate the autonomous cockpit we’ve seen in concept vehicles of the past five years.
The Ariya’s new EV platform — called the Alliance CMF-EV — allows for a flat and open floor, and designers took full advantage, even moving all the climate control components that are typically located by the front occupants’ feet to the empty space in the crossover’s front hood.
To enhance that sense of minimalism, the Ariya’s instrument panels are devoid of buttons and switches. Instead, capacitive haptic switches allow for the same mechanical feel by vibrating when touched. And the two horizontal display screens running across three-quarters of the dashboard complete that futuristic, yet very functional, feel. Another nod to our possible autonomous future is a centre storage box and fold-out tray that has room for a laptop, or a meal.
The adjustable centre console can be moved to suit the driving conditions and features a small, fit-in-your-palm shifter and haptic drive mode controls.
The exterior isn’t that far removed from crossover design in 2020, but has enough interesting nuances to tell you something is different about this vehicle. Most notable is the front grille, which features a shield that incorporates a 3D traditional Japanese kumiko pattern. It’s not just for show; it provides a stylish cover for sensors used for driver-assistance functions. Thin LED headlamps feature four 20-millimetre mini-projectors and are arranged in Nissan’s V-motion design language, albeit a new, Ev-inspired one. The rear of the Ariya also gets some special treatment, including a one-piece light blade that gives a blackout effect when in park and a consistent red illumination when in use, day or night.
Ariya is offered with six twotone exterior paint combinations, each sporting a black roof.
Pricing has yet to be released, and it’s expected to go on sale in Canada in the latter part of 2021.
Was it worth the wait? Let’s just say we can’t wait to drive it and find out.