Nissan Ariya electric crossover: everything we know

07/20/2020 Technology, USA, World

On July 15, 2020, Nissan unveiled its new all-electric model, the Nissan Ariya, which was the Japanese brand’s biggest EV launch since the original Nissan LEAF (sold in nearly 500,000 units since December 2010).

The Ariya is a global compact crossover / SUV, built on the new CMF-EV platform (developed for the entire Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance). As in the case of other patented BEVs, the interior of the Ariya is very spacious, similar to the larger models.

By way of introducing the Ariya, Nissan also unveiled its new logo, for the new chapter in the company’s history.

Nissan Ariya will be featured in Japan in mid 2021, at an estimated starting price of about 5 million yen ($ 47,000).

The company said sales in other markets will continue. At US and Canada launch is scheduled for later in 2021. The price in the United States will start around $ 40,000 (USD) and it is fairly certain that the car will be eligible for the $ 7,500 federal tax credit.

Europe is another market mentioned for launch in 2021, but without information on the price.

Interestingly, the launch of Ariya in China is also slated for the end of 2021.

“The new Nissan Ariya is slated to go on sale in Japan in mid-2021. Its price will be around 5 million yen. The Ariya is slated to go on sale in Europe, North America and China in late 2021. . “.

The market launch in about a year or more from now is actually one of the weakest points of the premiere because the number of competitors will grow remarkably at that time.

Nissan announced two battery versions: 65 kWh (63 kWh usable) and 90 kWh (87 kWh usable), two management options (front-wheel drive and e-4ORCE all drive wheels) as well as various power levels (160 kW to 290 kW peak)

The battery has received an active thermal management system, which finally includes liquid cooling. That is a major improvement to the LEAF.

The cells are no longer of the bag type. This time Nissan is using prismatic lithium ion cells. The provider of NMC (lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide) cells will be CATL.

Interesting is the information about traction motors in Ariya: externally excited synchronous motor (EESM), which suggests a major change from the permanent magnet motors used so far by Nissan, and probably the use of Renault units, since Renault He has extensive experience in EESM.

The EV range depends on the particular version, but overall Nissan expects:

up to about 300 miles (483 km) in the US
approximately 360 km (224 mi) to 500 km (311 mi) from WLTP in Europe
approximately 450 km (280 miles) to 610 km (379 miles) from WLTC in Japan

We fear that the Ariya’s efficiency is not very high with the 90 kWh battery.

The higher versions of the line will be able to go 0-100 km / h (62 mph) in 5.1 seconds and reach the maximum speed of 200 km / h (124 mph).

With Ariya, Nissan abandons its global support for the CHAdeMO DC fast charge standard and will now only support it locally in Japan (perhaps in some other places).

In other markets, the new BEV will be offered with local charging solutions (CCS1 in North America, CCS2 in Europe and probably many other markets, probably GB / T in China).

Having larger batteries and liquid cooling allowed Nissan to increase its maximum charge power to 130 kW.

According to Nissan, 130 kW will be available in both CHAdeMO and CCS versions.

“While each Ariya model will boast impressive driving range in its segment, it also boasts remarkable range recovery and fast charge performance. This is due in part to its constantly optimizing battery thermal control function. the operating temperature of the liquid-cooled battery Using a maximum charge of 130 kW, the Ariya can recover up to 375 kilometers with a quick charge of 30 minutes using the Japan CHAdeMO charging system (specification and charging system capable of load 130 kW, estimate subject to approval and environmental and battery conditions) “

Interesting is also the approach to AC charging. In Japan and the US, the car will be available with a 7.2 kW single phase charger, while in Europe it will be more appropriate: 7.4 kW single phase charger for smaller battery options and 22 kW three phase charger for the largest battery option. That is what we like!

As you can see, the cargo entrance is not on the front as in LEAF, but on the side, or rather on both sides! Similar to Audi or Porsche, but it is only the Japan specific version where CHAdeMO and J1772 have separate ports. In Europe and North America, there will only be one charging port located on the front fender on the driver’s side.

Nissan Ariya is expected to get a lot of things that should make it a much better car than the LEAF:

first nissan with firmware updates over the air
a 12.3-inch instrument monitor and a 12.3-inch center display along a single horizon, plus a display screen (HUD)
ProPILOT 2.0 offering single lane highway driving ability without intervention
Seat, steering wheel position and automatic sliding center console are adjusted based on the stored driver profile linked with the smart key

More about updates over the air:

“The Ariya is also Nissan’s first model with over-the-air firmware updates, called the Remote Software Upgrade. The technology automatically updates various software within the vehicle, specifically, software that controls the multimedia system, electrical and electronic architecture, the chassis, the Climate System and EV Configuration: without having to take the vehicle to a service center. With periodic updates in real time, the Ariya is always operating at its full potential. A dual bank memory system even allows updates while on the move Updates are downloaded and stored in a separate memory bank. When the system has confirmed the download, it changes to the updated memory bank. Updates are applied quickly and easily, making updates and integration of new functions an experience. perfect. “

The cool new thing about the Nissan Ariya is the ability to trailer – up to 1,500 kg (in Europe)Depending on the version though, according to what we’ve heard on the conference call, in the US it will only be about 1,500 lbs (680 kg).

According to Reuters, the production volume in the first year may not be the highest. Two undisclosed sources said the target is only 30,000 globally in the “first full year”.

“” It’s a little disappointing, “said a source who was involved in product development, referring to the sales target.

“Will this be a vehicle that brings a halo effect to the brand or not?” the source said. “

It would be very disappointing to sell just 30,000 in the first year, starting within a year.

The third Reuters source said the plan is to produce 40,000 in Japan in 2021, with a plan to increase 100,000 annually. That sounds much better and more rational.

Production is also planned in China, but we don’t know yet about the US and UK, where LEAF is currently produced.

Now let’s take a look at the specs: for Europe, Nissan announced five versions, while for Japan four versions. Some of them are not the same due to the different power output, so we list them below. Particular versions for the United States have not yet been announced.

Ariya FWD, 65 kWh (Japan / Europe)
- Europe WLTP Range: Up to 360 km (224 miles)
  Japan WLTC Range: Up to 450 km (280 miles)
- 65 kWh battery (63 kWh net usable); liquid cooled battery, prismatic cells
- 0-100 km / h (62 mph) in 7.5 seconds
- maximum speed of 160 km / h (100 mph)
- front-wheel drive
- maximum system output of 160 kW and 300 Nm of torque

Ariya FWD, 90 kWh (Japan / Europe)
- Europe WLTP Reach: Up to 500 km (311 miles)
  Japan WLTC Range: Up to 610 km (379 mi)
- 90 kWh battery (87 kWh net usable); liquid cooled battery, prismatic cells
- 0-100 km / h (62 mph) in 7.6 seconds
- maximum speed of 160 km / h (100 mph)
- front-wheel drive
- maximum system output of 178 kW and 300 Nm of torque

Ariya AWD, 65 kWh (Europe)
- Europe WLTP Reach: Up to 340 km (211 miles)
- 65 kWh battery (63 kWh net usable); liquid cooled battery, prismatic cells
- 0-100 km / h (62 mph) in 5.9 seconds
- maximum speed of 200 km / h (124 mph)
- double all-wheel drive motor
- maximum system output of 205 kW and 560 Nm of torque

Ariya AWD, 65 kWh (Japan)
- Japan WLTC Range: Up to 430 km (267 miles)
- 65 kWh battery (63 kWh net usable); liquid cooled battery, prismatic cells
- 0-100 km / h (62 mph) in 5.4 seconds
- maximum speed of 200 km / h (124 mph)
- double all-wheel drive motor
- maximum system output of 250 kW and 560 Nm of torque

Ariya AWD, 90 kWh (Europe)
- Europe WLTP range: up to 400 km (249 miles)
- 90 kWh battery (87 kWh net usable); liquid cooled battery, prismatic cells
- 0-100 km / h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds
- maximum speed of 200 km / h (124 mph)
- double all-wheel drive motor
- maximum system output of 225 kW and 600 Nm of torque

Ariya AWD, 90 kWh (Japan / Europe)
- Europe WLTP range: up to 400 km (249 miles)
  Japan WLTC Range: Up to 580 km (360 miles)
- 90 kWh battery (87 kWh net usable); liquid cooled battery, prismatic cells
- 0-100 km / h (62 mph) in 5.1 seconds
- maximum speed of 200 km / h (124 mph)
- double all-wheel drive motor
- maximum system output of 290 kW and 600 Nm of torque

AC load (on board): approximately 7.2 kW single phase (Japan and USA)
in Europe: 7.4 kW single phase (65 kWh version) or 22 kW three phase (90 kWh version)
DC fast charge: up to 130 kW, you can add up to 235 miles (375 km) of range in 30 minutes
North America: CCS Combo 1 standard
Europe: CCS Combo 2 Standard
Japan: CHAdeMO standard
China: local standard
other markets: information not available, most likely CCS
Length: 4,595 mm, Width: 1,850 mm, Height – 1,655 mm, Wheelbase – 2,775 mm
Weight: from 1,900 kg to 2,200 kg depending on version
Luggage capacity: 466 L (2WD), 408 L (AWD), depends on other factors
Ariya will have the capacity to tow up to 1,500 kg