Nissan has introduced its first long-range electric ‘crossover SUV’, christened the Ariya, in Japan. The Ariya is a key milestone in the Japanese brand’s 'NEXT' transformation plan, and sets pace for Nissan’s plan to roll out 12 new global models in the next 18 months. The Ariya is the first EV to be built on Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance’s new CMF EV electric architecture.
From the outside, the Ariya looks like an amalgamation of an SUV and a crossover. It features what Nissan calls a new ‘shield’ design with 3D ‘kumiko’ pattern for the surfaces. Upfront, the headlamps are united by a thick glossy black strip below which sits an illuminated Nissan logo with 20 LEDs. The side profile gets a typical coupe like roofline that blends into the steeply raked rear windshield. At the rear, the single light strip gives a blackout effect when parked, and a consistent red illumination when in use.
According to Nissan, the interior is akin to a ‘café lounge on a starship’. The dashboard is in fact quite simplistic and clutter free, blending well with the shape of the cabin from one end to the other. The wooden centre dash houses capacitive climate control switches with haptic feedback. Its hard to ignore the two massive displays – one as an instrument console and one in the centre as an infotainment system, both sort of blended into each other and only separated by black panels – similar to what we are used to seeing in modern Mercedes-Benz cars.
The Japan-spec Ariya can be had in 2WD and AWD versions – each with two battery size options, 65kWh and 90kWh. The 2WD Ariya with the 90kWh battery pack is powered by a 239bhp electric motor and offers the longest range of 610km on a single charge. It sprints to a 100kmph in 7.6 seconds and has a top speed of 160km only. The AWD Ariya with the 90kWh battery pack on the other hand gets a 389bhp motor and has a range of 580km on a single charge. It sprints to a 100kmph in just 5.1 seconds and has a top whack of 200kmph.
Commenting on the global unveil of the Nissan Ariya, Ashwani Gupta, COO, Nissan Motor Corporation said, “The Nissan Ariya is a truly beautiful and remarkable car. It enables you to go further, easier and in comfort. The Ariya is designed to impress, and to express what Nissan strives for – making our customers’ lives better.”
The Ariya goes on sale in Japan in mid-2021 at a price of around 5 million Japanese Yen, translating to roughly Rs 35 lakh Indian rupees. Following that, it will also be launched in the United States, European Union and China. Sadly, it’s not coming to India, in case you were wondering. Although it gives us an idea of what design language future Nissan cars for India and the world could potentially follow. What India will get is Nissan's Magnite compact SUV to rival the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and the Hyundai Venue.