Despite Nissan being one of the first automakers to release a modern electric car with the Nissan LEAF, the Japanese automaker has not really followed up on the momentum it could have built up and instead has chosen to focus on iterating its popular electric hatchback. The Nissan LEAF however will finally receive a sibling in the Nissan Ariya that will have its worldwide unveil occur on July 15th.
The Ariya Concept was first shown at the 2019 Tokyo Auto Show, taking cues from Nissan’s previous IMx Concept. Not much information has been disclosed since the showing of the concept but given the success of the LEAF and how long it has taken Nissan to produce a followup electric car, we expect the Ariya to be highly competitive to the Model Y and other electric crossovers.
Thankfully we won’t have to wait too long to hear more details about Nissan’s important electric addition. The company recently set up a www.thenissannext.com website that will host the world premiere of the electric crossover. No doubt Nissan would have wanted to have an in-person event that would allow onlookers better looks at the car, but given the ongoing global events, an online reveal will have to suffice.
The website shows the front of the Ariya illuminated only by its rather interesting looking headlights that I am happy are making it into the production version. Aside from the front look, we only have an about page that reads:
Nissan delivers mobility that challenges the imagination. To celebrate the debut of our revolutionary Nissan ARIYA electric crossover, we’ve created a virtual space for discovery, connection and play. So prepare to be amazed. Everything we do is to move you – beyond what you’ve ever felt possible. See cities pulse with energy and information. Watch autonomous technology enable a new sense of freedom. There are also movies, virtual sports and visionary thinkers. Reserve July 15 for a livestream of the Nissan ARIYA premiere in the Nissan Pavilion. It’s the beginning of a new chapter.
Nissan also released a video showing some of the design sketches and up-close looks at the badging of the electric crossover.
From our limited views, it looks like the production version of the Ariya will carry along a lot of the styling of its concept version. We have already seen some supposedly leaked patent fillings of the car’s design which also support that it will look a lot like its concept version.
The rumored targeted specs of the Ariya are at least a 300-mile range, a 0-60 time under 5 seconds, and a very competitive starting price of about $40,000. Its no doubt a great combination of specifications if they are actually real and will give the Model Y a run for its money, especially since Nissan still qualifies for the $7,500 tax credit.
It highly doubtful that we will see it this year, so expect deliveries to start in 2021.
How do you guys feel about the design? What specifications do you think Nissan will need to make the Ariya competitive? Let us know down in the comments below.
