The production version of the Nissan Ariya electric SUV has been revealed following its concept debut at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show and if this is what the future of electric SUVs hold, sign us up!
We can all unanimously agree that it’s quite a looker with Nissan’s signature V-motion design at the front and a dramatically sloping roofline at the back. Some of you might oppose but I’d prefer those 19-inch wheels (which can be spec-ed to 20-inches) to look less “electric car-like”, if you know what I mean.
To power the Ariya electric SUV, you get to choose between a single motor, rear-wheel drive or a twin electric motor, all-wheel drive model. With both models, Nissan is offering two battery capacity options; either a 63kWh or an 87 kWh battery.
In the single motor variants, the 63 kWh battery will net you 217 hp and 300 Nm with a pure electric range of 450 km. 0 to 100 km/h? 7.5 seconds. As for the larger 87 kWh battery, that bumps power up to 242 hp but 0 to 100 km/h is a tad slower at 7.6 seconds. You do gain a whole lot of electric range though; up to 600 km. Top speed is capped at 160 km/h in both the models.
As for the twin motor, all-wheel drive models, the smaller 63 kWh battery will happily pump out 339 hp and 560 Nm for a time of 5.6 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h while returning 430 km of driving range. With the bigger 87 kWh battery, you’re looking at 394 hp and 600 Nm and for that you get a Golf GTI-rivalling 0 to 100 km/h time of 5.1 seconds. Driving range is just under 600 km; not too shabby.
With a fast charger, Nissan says the Ariya electric SUV can return almost 400 km of driving range with just 30 mins of charging. If you thought that was impressive, you’ve seen nothing. It’s also clear how the cabin has benefited from the lack of moving parts under the fully electric Ariya.
You get a floating dashboard, based on Nissan’s Engawa design concept, that’s completely void of panels underneath, freeing up more space than you’ll ever need at the front. As the Ariya is fully electric, there isn’t a drive shaft connecting the front and rear wheels, so you don’t get an annoying hump in the middle of the rear seats.
What’s particularly impressive is the surface of the panels and the touch sensitive controls that illuminate to the touch. When not activated, the symbols just disappear into the grey surface, leaving a clean and minimalist appearance. How cool! Now who says all electric cars are boring?
For the latest price list of Nissan vehicles in Malaysia following the Sales Tax Exemption, click here.
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