Nissan unveiled a groundbreaking efficiency trim level of the Ariya at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2024, with the debut of the high-performance Ariya Nismo. The sleek, high-performance variant of the company’s flagship all-electric vehicle, clad in sporty attire, is exclusively designed for the Japanese market and will not be available elsewhere.
The Ariya NISMO boasts a slightly enhanced performance profile compared to its standard counterpart, featuring 320 kW (approximately 430 horsepower) of power and 600 Nm (equivalent to around 440 pound-feet) of torque. Nissan’s design decisions on the Ariya are largely a matter of personal taste, although the brand does intend for its striking aesthetic features to enhance the vehicle’s overall performance. By equipping it with extremely rigid 20-inch aluminum wheels, Nissan suggests that the Ariya benefits from superior stability and turn-in capability, as well as improved line-tracing and cornering at high speeds.
A unique Nismo drive mode has been introduced, significantly boosting acceleration and responsiveness in the vehicle. Notably, a new synthetic cabin noise has been crafted, inspired by the distinctive sounds emanating from the Components E racing cars. The audio sample featured in this video can be accessed by clicking on the link provided below. It actually sounds… spacey.
Within, you’ll be treated to NISMO-trimmed seats, featuring liberally applied scarlet accents – an indulgence that, while not necessarily a drawback, is certainly a notable touch.
The potential availability of the Ariya Nismo outside the Japanese market, including its potential value and release timeline, remains unclear. While the NISMO trim may be available on both the 66-kWh and 91-kWh battery capacity variants of the Ariya, there are slight differences in peak energy output between them.
Electrek’s take
While some critics might dismiss the Ariya NISMO as a mere cosmetic upgrade featuring an elaborate physique, new seat covers, and software programming tweaks… Nissan’s watering down of the NISMO brand on its mass-market vehicles is well-documented across its internal combustion engine (ICE) lineup, and it seems this trend will continue with the Ariya.
As it appears the Ariya NISMO is poised exclusively for Japan, this might be a strategic move to generate additional revenue before Nissan’s next-generation battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) arrive in the market within the next year or two. As Nissan paves the way for its next-generation battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), it’s likely that this marks a pivotal turning point for the company within the rapidly evolving electric vehicle market; I contend that the Ariya has reached its peak relevance, even in traditionally skeptical Japan, where electric cars have historically been met with caution. Now’s the moment to cash out.
As the next Leaf model is set to debut, built on a crossover-inspired design and likely priced significantly lower, it seems inevitable that the Ariya will become an also-ran in Nissan’s lineup, losing its competitive edge in the near future?
