IMAGINE yourself sipping a skinny latte in the sleek cafe lounge of an intergalactic starship.
That’s one of the visions Nissan has for a model it heralds as marking a new chapter for electric vehicles.
The Japanese manufacturer has just lifted the wraps from its new electric coupe crossover the Ariya, which is expected to have a maximum range of 310 miles when it arrives next year.
Heavily based on the similarly-named concept vehicle displayed at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, it is the first production model to represent Nissan’s new electrified brand identity.
Built on an all-new EV platform, the Ariya represents the latest step in Nissan’s quest to further improve the appeal of its vehicles and achieve a future with zero emissions and no vehicle fatalities.
The car will come in six two-tone combinations, each sporting a black roof, and four full-body colour combinations and sit above the LEAF in the company’s all-electric line-up.
Possibly the most interesting though is something Nissan calls Akatsuki – a two-tone copper package that apparently “expresses the moment just before dawn, as the sun marks the beginning of a new day”.
Inside, the fascia is dominated by two 12.3-inch screens, one a digital panel ahead of the driver and the other a central display for the infotainment set-up.
As for passenger space, the climate control system lies beneath the bonnet – where a traditional engine would normally sit – allowing the designers to use the full length of the cabin.
Also, a flat, open floor – made possible by the location of the battery at the base of the chassis – and the Ariya’s slim profile ‘zero gravity’ seats, result in increaded legroom and easy access.
Several electric motor outputs are up for grabs along with a choice of two batteries and either front or all-wheel drive.
The smaller of the batteries, 65kWh, will power the two-wheel drive entry level model which develops 215bhp and a 233-mile range while variants with the larger 90kWh battery can produce 239bhp and is good for 310 miles.
There will also be three driving modes – Standard, Sport and ECO – and all-wheel drive e-4ORCE models will add a Snow setting.
Prices and trim levels will be announced later.
