What's all this about?
Nismo. Or rather, the Nissan Ariya Nismo. Yes, at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the Japanese carmaker has announced it's doing a high-performance version of its electric family SUV. Actually, it's doing two versions, technically, as there are two varying specs depending on which battery is fitted.
What do you mean by that?
Well, at this point, it's probably worth refreshing your memory of the three-strong current Ariya line-up. There are presently two single-motor models on offer, with a choice of a smaller or larger battery pack, and then a dual-motor halo variant with the clunking name 'e-4orce' (to denote its four-wheel-drive capability, as its two motors are situated one on each axle) and the larger battery only. Thus, you have the 218hp/300Nm Ariya 63kWh, the 242hp/300Nm Ariya 87kWh and the 306hp/600Nm Ariya 87kWh e-4orce.
The Nismo model, or models more accurately, use the last of these as inspiration - which means they are both dual-motor, four-wheel-drive versions. There's an Ariya Nismo B6 e-4orce, with the 63kWh battery pack, that delivers robust outputs of 270kW (367hp) and 560Nm, all in a body which weighs around 2,080kg. That makes it significantly lighter than the regular e-4orce model, so it should run 0-62mph quite a bit quicker than the 5.7 seconds it takes the current fastest version of Nissan's biggest EV. No word on whether it'll have its 124mph top-speed limiter raised, though.
The Ariya Nismo B9 e-4orce, however, very neatly doubles the outputs of the base model, from 160kW/300Nm to 320kW/600Nm. That means a peak output of 435hp, with the weight hovering around 2.2 tonnes - broadly analogous with the 87kWh e-4orce. We'd except this Nismo to do 0-62mph in something like four seconds or thereabouts, maybe nearer 4.5.
This all sounds good. I presume they won't go as far on a charge, though?
Probably not, but as the present-day line-up has anything between 250 (Ariya 63kWh) and 329 miles (Ariya 87kWh) to a charge, the Nismo models are going to be around those numbers. Due to having two motors draining its pack and the added weight that brings in over the single-motor entry-level model, the Nismo B6 will probably officially claim around 230 miles or so, but we'd hope the Nismo B9 can get close to the 310 miles printed data for the current e-4orce. Any official three-figure range claim beginning with a '3' would be nice.
And what about the other technical specifications?
Nissan is being a bit coy about these at the moment. Announcing the Ariya Nismo twins at Tokyo, the manufacturer has confirmed that the high-performance derivatives will go on sale in spring. That said, all it has given us to go on so far is that "every chassis component" has been tuned specifically by Nismo for better turn-in and handling, while the Nismo Ariyas will roll on 20-inch aluminium alloy wheels, wrapped in 225/40 R20 tyres all round.
Visually enhanced with a subtle but tasteful lower body kit, and packing an interior that is enlivened with red stitching, bucket seats, swathes of microfibre (the sportiest of materials, natch) and even a 12 o'clock marker on the steering wheel, perhaps the most contentious point of the Ariya Nismo is that it will make noises like a Formula E racer - a competition where Nissan is one of the leading teams.
There's also no word on whether the Nismo Ariyas will be sold outside of Japan, but if they do make it here then the near-£60,000 basic price of the current e-4orce flagship will likely mean that these go-faster versions will probably be £70,000 and more if they're ever confirmed for the UK... eek!
Matt Robinson - 12 Jan 2024
