Get ready for Nissan’s new electric crossover, the Ariya

KUALA LUMPUR: As the headline reads, Nissan is soon going to reveal its fully-electric crossover. A 33-second teaser video supports this information. The said video gives us a glimpse of the upcoming Nissan creation in sketch, clay, and metal form. The Aryia is one of the eight EV models the automaker plans to introduce in the next 18 months. The last Nissan car to make its debut was the 4th generation X-Trail that featured a new design theme and an array of standard equipment.

Coming back to the star of the moment, the Nissan Ariya was first introduced as the IMx concept in 2017. It was then showcased at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show under the name Ariya.

Now, in two weeks, we’ll get to see the production model that may vary from the car in the video as it is the pre-production version. However, on closer inspection, the Ariya in the video looks quite similar to the concept from last year. Also, in April, patent images of production Ariya were revealed. On comparing the two, we see minor changes like longer overhangs in patent images and tweaks at the front and rear fascia for things like parking sensors.

When compared to the concept, the car in the video also showed little changes, one of them being the light bar at the back connecting the taillight. The concept showcases a nifty 3D effect with exquisite detailing and Nissan script that creates depth. The production version, on the other hand, showed a more conventional 2D design.

The Nissan electric crossover will be assembled at the company’s Tochigi plant that is being converted into an EV factory. Being an international product, the Ariya, after making a debut in Japan, will land on the shores of the US and Europe. In these markets, it will compete with the likes of Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Chevy Bolt EV. And like its competitors, the Nissan Ariya will hold a high price tag, say anything above $35,000 (around RM 150,010).

On the specification front, the Nissan Ariya EV will feature an autonomous driving system called Nissan ProPilot 2.0 along with the brand’s suite of safety features. Nissan’s new e-4ORCE platform will support it, wherein ‘4’ denotes four-wheel drivetrain.

Overall, if the Ariya stays true to the concept or even close, it will be an attractive catch.

Also Read: 2020 Nissan Kicks launched in Japan, features e-POWER drivetrain and ProPILOT driver assistance