At the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan showcased the Ariya concept, a crossover EV that is “sleek,” “seamless” and “sexy”. No, those three are not my words, the Ariya is based on those concepts, apparently.
The Ariya concept according to Nissan, signals a complete reinvention of the brand’s design. Speaking of which, the front has a new V-motion signature “shield”, where the closed grille has a 3D texture. Other design highlights include super-thin LED headlights, the shield DRLs that also double as turn signals, a clean shoulder line that runs across the entire length of the car, 21-inch aluminum wheels, and coupe-like rear-end with an integrated spoiler. The connected taillamps are designed like a 3D element with an illuminated logo. As with some of the new EVs these days, copper has been used to accent the roofline and wheels.
The clean design theme has been carried over to the interiors with a minimalistic dashboard. Physical buttons have been replaced with haptic touch controls that come to life with a glow. When the car is turned off, they disappear into the surface. The only physical controls are the start button, a single knob to operate the 12.3-inch display, and the climate controls.
Materials used include satin copper-colored aluminum accents, black leather upholstery, and even a copper fabric under the perforation.
As you might expect, the Ariya features the latest driver assistance systems. The ProPilot 2.0 includes highway driving with hands-off single-lane driving capabilities. When the system is engaged, the interior lighting changes colors to signal that the hands-off driving is enabled, while creating a relaxing atmosphere.
The Ariya connects with the driver’s smartphone too. When approaching the car, the driver is greeted with a welcome light as the vehicle unlocks automatically. Even before getting inside, settings such as the seat position and climate controls are adjusted to the driver’s personal preferences. Upon arrival at their destination, drivers can use their smartphone to park the car automatically, thanks to ProPilot Remote Park.
As for the business end of the story, the Ariya gets two motors, one at each axle, powering all four wheels. The battery pack is capable of CHAdeMO quick charging. The charging port unlocks upon the driver’s approach and uses distinct colors to show the vehicle’s charge status at a glance.
The Ariya Concept is just the beginning, as Nissan considers how design, packaging and driver enjoyment can be transformed through the architecture of new EV platforms. The Ariya Concept is not a concept car designed from far off ideas, but rather a car that embodies Nissan Intelligent Mobility at its core and highlights a promise of an entirely new driving experience on the horizon. – Yasuhiro Yamauchi, representative executive officer, Nissan
Recommended for you
Leave a Reply
Note: Comments that are unrelated to the post above get automatically filtered into the trash bin.
