More power and a sportier chassis tune are coming to Nissan’s family EV. This may also explain why Nissan locally deferred the launch of the Ariya here. In fact, they’re not committing to any launch date currently. It has been on sale in Europe for two years already.
Nissan Ariya is a family-friendly electric SUV that won the AutoExpress CoTY in 2022. For the Nismo variant, Nissan has added extra power and altered the chassis set up. Nissan says the new Ariya Nismo mixes the immediate response of an all-electric car with the fine-tuning of a sports car. It results in “outstanding day-to-day driving”.
Evidently the Nismo badge will be seen on more all-electric Nissans in future. Nissan says it is essential that “we continue to offer elite and exciting models to customers and Nismo enthusiasts”.
Two versions of the Ariya Nismo will be sold, both featuring a dual-motor set-up and Nissan’s e-4ORCE AWD technology. In the entry-level ‘B6’, the two motors produce a combined 270kW and 560Nm. That’s significantly more output than the updated ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq vRS get.
The more potent ‘B9’ variant comes with 320kW and 600Nm of system output, somewhat shy of Tesla’s Model Y Performance, Kia’s EV6 GT and Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N, the latter pair both with 740Nm of torque.
On the other hand, Nismo reckons each chassis component has been specially tuned by Nismo. Moreover, new 20-inch aluminium wheels come finished with 255/45 R20 Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres. Combined with the four-wheel drive set-up, Nissan says the chassis upgrades offer superior stability and turn-in ability, and improved cornering speeds.
Nismo has also created a special driving mode that maximises acceleration, and features an artificial soundtrack that mimics that of a Formula E racer. New brake pads evidently improve stopping power.
Aero upgrades include a new front bumper with a pronounced splitter and larger air vents. There’s also a lip spoiler on the tailgate, and a new rear bumper that incorporates a diffuser and Formula 1-style rear light.
Being a Nismo there are spicy red accent lines that wrap around the car. These signature items can also be found within the cabin. Nismo seats with suede-like upholstery are included as part of the package.
No acceleration figures are available but a 0-100 time in the four-second range is expected for the B6 and we imagine low fours for the B9. No range figures are offered either but the larger 91kWh battery pack should be good for 500km.
Will it ever come here? Depends somewhat on whether any Ariya does and that ball is currently in Nissan’s court. There’s no news or mention of Ariya on Nissan’s local website.
