The Ariya was long ago confirmed for Australia, but exactly when it’ll arrive remains unclear. Now, the powered-up Nissan Ariya Nismo is about to go on sale in Europe.
Confirmed: The new Nissan Ariya Nismo will be available to order in the UK starting in January 2025, marking the return of Nismo to Europe, with key technical details for the hot electric SUV revealed today.
In case you’re not heard of Nismo before, it’s to Nissan as AMG is to Mercedes, or the M division is to BMW. The Nissan Ariya Nismo will be the first EV with a Nismo badge sold in the UK, and it will have to compete against other fast electric family cars such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – Auto Express’s Performance Car of the Year for 2024 – and the Tesla Model Y Performance.
The Ariya Nismo features a dual-motor powertrain that produces 429bhp (320kW) and 600Nm of torque – 40bhp (30kW) more than the current range-topping version.
The 0-100km/h sprint takes exactly five seconds, according to Nissan, and accelerating from 80-112km/h is done in 2.4 seconds. Power comes from an 87kWh battery, but Nissan hasn’t announced a range figure yet.
In case you’re wondering, in a game of top trumps the Ariya Nismo can’t beat the Kia EV6 GT’s 577bhp (430kW) and 740Nm, and it’s humiliated by the power-mad Ioniq 5 N, with its 641bhp (478kW), 740Nm of torque and 0-100km/h time of just 3.4 seconds.
But Nismo hasn’t spent all its time just getting more power from the motors.
For starters, the Ariya’s e-4ORCE four-wheel-drive system has been tuned to deliver a new 60:40 rear-bias, to make the car feel sportier, and maximise mechanical grip by adjusting the power sent to each wheel 10,000 times per second, according to Nissan.
The suspension has also been reworked to improve body control, and offer greater agility at higher speeds, while the steering now has more resistance and a more direct feel, Nissan claims. The brake pads have also been changed to offer more reliable stopping power, and the regenerative-braking system has been revised.
The Nismo team has even worked to reduce drag and provide greater downforce at higher speeds through some new exterior elements.
Elsewhere, new 20-inch aluminium wheels are wrapped in a set of exclusive 255/45 R20 Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres. The combination is designed to deliver more grip, reduce unsprung mass and offer better brake cooling.
The performance division has also created a bespoke Nismo driving mode with special acceleration tuning to maximise responsiveness, and an artificial soundtrack designed to evoke the sounds of a Formula E race car.
The Nismo team has even worked to reduce drag and provide greater downforce at higher speeds through some new exterior elements. For instance, there’s a fresh front bumper with a pronounced splitter and larger air vents, while the rear gets a not-so-subtle lip spoiler on the tailgate, plus a new bumper that incorporates a diffuser and Formula One-style rear light.
The cherry on top of the Ariya Nismo’s aggressive new look is the spicy red accent that wraps around the car – a Nismo signature.
There are lots more red accents found inside, from the dashboard and central armrest to the 12 o’clock marker on the steering wheel. Specially designed Nismo seats with suede-effect upholstery also feature, along with new driver’s display graphics and a darkened wood finish.
The Ariya Nismo will only be available in one specification when it’s launched in the UK, with Nismo Stealth Grey paint. Anyone interested in buying one can secure priority access by contacting their local dealer later this month.
Ellis Hyde & Automotive Daily
When will the Ariya come to Australia?
The answer to that question has eluded media and buyers alike for over a year now, as Nissan becomes one of increasingly few brands powering into the EV era. Currently, its only all-electric offering is the aging Leaf – although its X-Trail e-Power is considered an EV with a petrol-powered generator.
The Ariya was originally expected to launch in 2023, but is understood to have been held up because it lacks a top centre tether point for a child seat in the second row, which goes against Australian Design Rules – as reported earlier this year.
Other brands have been caught by this same issue, but those models – including the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Atto 3 – all received a production change to meet the local requirements.