Nissan has revealed its Ariya concept, a crossover EV featuring twin electric motors, at the Tokyo motor show.
Building on the IMx concept from 2017, the Ariya features a bold electrified V-motion signature “shield”, wide front fenders, super-thin LED headlights, striking rear light blade, steeply raked C-pillar, a high-mounted rear wing and short overhangs. The exterior elements suggest they could make it into production vehicles in the not-too-distant future.
The Ariya rides on five-blade, 21-inch aluminium wheels with custom tyres and features a Suisei Blue paint scheme which offers a dual appearance which is dependent on the distance the vehicle is viewed from. There are also copper highlights added to the roofline and wheels.
Internally the Ariya features a flat floor due to the battery pack layout, a minimalist dashboard and 12.3-inch display monitor with the only buttons being the start button and climate controls. Nissan’s ProPilot 2.0 system is also included.
The Ariya supports its occupants with comfortable seating created by a super-thin frame, providing even more free interior space and enhanced visibility. The front and rear seats are positioned to ensure that everyone has a great view of the surroundings. The seat back and seat bottoms also feature perforated leather upholstery.
All four wheels receive almost instant torque from the 100 per cent electric drive system, though no specific outputs are mentioned. A dual front/rear motor drive configuration is in play. Battery capacity is also on the down-low.
Other quirks of the Ariya include the door to door navigation which can transfer navigation information from a smartphone and back again, a welcome light greeting a driver as they approach and the ability to set preferences on a smartphone as a unique profile which can personalise the driver’s seat position and climate controls.
The Ariya also has the ability to sync with the driver’s schedule to anticipate departure times and prepare the vehicle to be climate-controlled and ready to hit the road. This also maximises the driving range by using grid power to heat or cool the car.
For added safety, the virtual personal assistant can help look up information and locate parking so that the driver can keep their eyes focussed on the road.
Another helpful feature is the smart route planner which can automatically identify and plot charging stops along a route. The Ariya concept uses CHAdeMO quick charging to energise the battery swiftly and conveniently. The charging port unlocks upon the driver’s approach and uses distinct colours to show the vehicle’s charge status at a glance.
Firmware over the air (FOTA) technology also keeps the Ariya up-to-date with updates for the navigation system, graphic user interface and driving characteristics to ensure the car is running effectively and has the latest versions and features.
Yasuhiro Yamauchi, representative executive officer, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., said: “The Ariya Concept is not a concept car designed from far off ideas, but rather a car that embodies Nissan Intelligent Mobility at its core and highlights a promise of an entirely new driving experience on the horizon.”
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