Target Tesla: Nissan Ariya electric SUV aims high

Nissan has revealed its all-new Ariya, its most advanced car and one planned to reshape the brand as it tackles the most intense period of disruption in more than 100 years of the automotive industry.

Incorporating learnings from the Leaf EV and borrowing go-fast genes from the Nissan GT-R supercar, the mid-sized SUV is a radically different electric car from Nissan – one with Tesla sharp in its crosshairs.

The all-electric Ariya is a crossover SUV designed from the ground up as a battery electric vehicle – and one incorporating new technologies. Even the Nissan badge has been redesigned.

Read about the fundamental design changes in the Nissan Ariya that set the template for future Nissan EVs.

Describing it as a “no compromise car” and a “major step in Nissan’s transformation”, Nissan says the Ariya is the first of 12 new models planned before the end of 2021.

While it hits Japanese dealerships in 2021 the Ariya is not yet confirmed for Australia, but Nissan Australia has its hand high in the air. Best guesses suggest it could arrive as early as 2022.

Before then, the Ariya travels to the key Japanese, Chinese and American markets.

“We created the Nissan Ariya as an answer to the aspirations and practical needs of today’s customers,” says Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida. “Combining our strengths in EVs and crossovers, it’s a showcase for Nissan’s new era of excitement and design.”

Target Tesla

With a claimed range of up to 610km and 0-100km/h pace as low as 5.1 seconds, the Ariya is a very different beast to the Leaf that has until now spearheaded Nissan’s electric assault.

Rather than an EV with hatchback genes built to a price, the Ariya has SUV DNA and has embraced premium finishes, technology and innovation.

Over the air software updates will be possible while the car is being driven thanks to a dual-bank memory system; the car can process on one memory bank while the other updates, before switching over when the OTA update has been validated.

The Ariya is proof Nissan is gunning for a slice of the luxury electric car market dominated by Tesla.

While Tesla has many targets on its back from traditional luxury brands, the Nissan Ariya demonstrates the rule-breaking nature of the emerging EV market – one where mainstream and prestige brands are destined to clash more than ever.

Like all EVs there will be a price premium; in America and Japan the Ariya lines up closely with the Tesla Model 3.

So, if it does make its way to Australia the best guesses on pricing would have it starting at around $80,000.

That would likely undercut its most obvious rival, the Tesla Model Y – a car expected to be priced above the circa $79K starting price of the Model 3.

Sizing up

At 4595mm long and 1850mm wide the Ariya is slightly smaller than the upcoming Tesla Model Y.

A minimalist interior boasts quality finishes, including wood, leather and some innovative finishes around the doors and lower dash.

So-called “zero gravity” front seats – they look perched on the floor rather than ensconced in it – add to the sense of space and reinforce the efforts in positioning the Ariya above others in the Nissan lineup.

Seating is for five and a flat floor makes for a spacious cabin, with thoughtful extras such as a table that slides out for work-on-the-run or a roadside feast.

The Ariya will be offered in nine two-tone colours, each teamed with a black roof. There are also five full-body colours.

Ariya model choices: 2 into 4

The Ariya will be offered as a single-motor two-wheel drive model driving the front wheels or a two-motor all-wheel drive.

All-wheel drive models are branded as e-4ORCE, claimed to improve stability and driving smoothness with precise torque control between the wheels.

In either front- or all-wheel drive the Ariya is then available with two battery capacities – with useable capacities of 63kWh and 87kWh – the bigger batteries unleashing higher peak power and torque outputs.

That gives four drivetrain options.

The most affordable is the 2WD with the 63kWh battery – which would likely be priced from about $80,000 – and has an electric motor making 160kW and 300Nm for a 7.5 second 0-100km/h time. Range is claimed at up to 450km.

The 87kWh battery in the two-wheel drive steps that range up to 610km. While its power jumps to 178kW (with torque still at 300Nm) the dash to 100km/h takes 0.1 seconds longer (7.6 seconds) due to the additional weight.

All-wheel drive e-4ORCE models have more of a performance focus, albeit at the expense of luggage capacity, which drops from 466 litres to 408L to accommodate the additional motor in the rear.

The 63kWh battery lowers the AWD range to 430km and the 0-100km/h time to 5.4 seconds.

Choose the 87kWh battery in the AWD model – expected to sit north of $100,000 – and the range is 580km and 0-100km/h time 5.1 seconds.

Tradition meets new thinking

Inside there’s an emphasis on luxury and quality materials.

Tradition has blended with innovation for the most upmarket cabin Nissan has ever produced.

A strip of matte black wood across the dash looks uncluttered when the car is parked but comes to life with illuminated buttons once active.

Those buttons are more touch pads but they vibrate when pressed to let the operator know they’ve received the input.

There’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a second 12.3-inch central touchscreen for infotainment as well as a sizeable head-up display.

The main infotainment screen uses smartphone-esque swipe-and-pinch technology.

It also has Amazon Alexa built in, allowing voice control of various features and interaction with other smart items within the owner’s life.

Amazon Alexa can also be used to remotely check the basics of the car – such as state of charge – or unlock the doors.

Using a smartphone app owners can also send sat-nav destinations directly to the car.

Back seat driver

The Ariya will also debut Nissan’s next generation semi-autonomous technology.

Branded as ProPilot 2.0, it utilises seven cameras, five radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors to detect objects, people and other vehicles around the car.

There is also a dedicated shark fin antenna on the roof (the other for infotainment features) for accurate GPS positioning as part of the semi-autonomous functionality.

As well as remote control parking, ProPilot 2.0 allows short-term hands-off driving by maintaining a distance to the vehicle in front and providing lane centring.

Future thinking

More than anything, the Ariya sets the template for future Nissans.

The brand will use learnings from its most serious electric car yet and infuse them in upcoming models as diverse as the Patrol 4WD and next generation Z-car.

Nissan product chief Makoto Fukuda says the technology and thinking will flow to mainstream models in future.

“The Ariya is the first to feature the latest combination of all of Nissan’s advanced technologies, making it a very special model in Nissan’s history. For example, we have a new HMI system that uses two 12.3-in. screens that we call the monolith. You will be seeing this in future Nissan vehicles, as well as the latest ProPilot driver assisted technology.”

Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida says the Ariya “sets the tone on human-centric technology”.

The Nissan Ariya family

Price: From $80,000 (estimated)

Ariya 2WD/63kWh battery

Battery capacity: 63kWh

Electric motors: 1, driving the front wheels

Power/torque: 160kW/300Nm

0-100km/h: 7.5 seconds

Range: up to 450km

Ariya 2WD/87kWh battery

Battery capacity: 87kWh

Electric motors: 1, driving the front wheels

Power/torque: 178kW/300Nm

0-100km/h: 7.6 seconds

Range: up to 610km

Ariya 4WD/63kWh battery

Battery capacity: 63kWh

Electric motors: 2, one for the front wheels, one for the rear wheels

Power/torque: 250kW/560Nm

0-100km/h: 5.4 seconds

Range: up to 430km

Ariya 4WD/87kWh battery

Battery capacity: 87kWh

Electric motors: 2, one for the front wheels, one for the rear wheels

Power/torque: 290kW/600Nm

0-100km/h: 5.1 seconds

Range: up to 580km