Previewing the Ariya: I drove the Nissan e-4ORCE development vehicle

Discussion in 'Ariya' started by Domenick, Jan 17, 2020.

To remove this ad click here.

Tags:
  1. Late last year at the Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan debuted its Ariya concept: an all-electric crossover with all-wheel-drive.

    Last week at the Consumer Electronics show, it made its North America debut. At the same time, the automaker took myself and a bunch of auto journalists out to the Las Vegas Speedway complex outside of town to experience the all-wheel-drive e-4ORCE system. That's basically the control system for the vehicle. It ties into the motor and braking system and relies on a number of sensors and driver input. It was a blast and also pretty informative.

    I wrote up an article about it for InsideEVs.

    Long story short, Nissan seems to understand how important this vehicle (Ariya) is for them. It was the only concept they brought to the show. The only other vehicles on its stand was a Leaf Plus, an NV-200 (which was used to serve up ice cream) and a season 6 Formula E car. All of these are, of course, electric.

    The test car, basically a Nissan Leaf with a motor front and rear to make it all-wheel-drive. It put out around 300 horsepower. They didn't say how much power he eventual product would have, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it in that same neighborhood.

    If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
     
    TonyInGA, Kenneth Bokor and DJP like this.
  2. To remove this ad click here.

  3. Guess this thread could use a few photos of the actual car. This first one is from the Tokyo Motor Show.

    20191024_105247.jpg

    They wouldn't let us get inside the vehicle at either Tokyo or CES, but at least they left the doors open as it spun on its turntable in Vegas, so I tried to get some of the interior.
    20200107_101833.jpg 20200107_101802.jpg
     
    TonyInGA likes this.
  4. Kenneth Bokor

    Kenneth Bokor Active Member

    Great article Domenick, it does look very good. I'll stay tuned for more info as usually concept cars are still some time away from spewing production versions, although Nissan did state we may actually see this vehicle (for the most part). Stay tuned is the operative phrase at this point.
     
    Domenick likes this.
  5. I feel relatively confident predicting that Nissan will announce the production version before the end of this year and sales next summer.

    Hopefully, I'm not being naively optimistic.
     
    Kenneth Bokor likes this.
  6. TonyInGA

    TonyInGA Member

    Sorry to bump an old thread, but you did say...
    Hi Domenick,

    With regards to Regenerative Braking (not e-Pedal / 1 Pedal Driving), I guess, that while in D, taking ones foot off the accelerator will do some regeneration of electricity back to the battery pack.

    But, do you recall, if the Ariya, like the Chevy Bolt, while in D, has a Paddle/Lever to increase Regen Braking?

    Personally, I prefer that, over 1 Pedal Driving (though, 1 Pedal Driving is pretty nice; just hope no one is following too closely). But, as it stands, when the Ariya comes out, I plan on being one of the first owners in Georgia, P/L RegenBrake, or not (while I did buy a first-year U.S. sold Toyota C-HR, the Ariya will mark the first time that I've bought one as soon as it appears in show rooms; willing to drive anywhere in GA to get it, too). :D

    Cheers,

    Tony
     
    Domenick likes this.
  7. To remove this ad click here.

  8. Hi, Tony, and no problem bumping the thread.
    The Ariya has a switch in the center console to put it in e-pedal mode, which is Nissan's one-pedal driving mode. So, sorry, no regen adjustment on paddles. Our walkaround video show it. It should be cued up at the right part when you hit play.

     
    TonyInGA likes this.
  9. pucksave

    pucksave Member

    If not until next summer then, too little-too late
     
    Domenick likes this.
  10. Well, I'd originally expected first deliveries to be happening this summer, but that was before COVID and the chip shortages hit. The last update we've had on timing came in June, when we learned that pre-orders had opened in Japan for delivery this winter. Pre-orders in the US, Europe and China will open later this year for deliveries in 2022. Definitely far later than expected.

    Nissan really needs to get this thing into showrooms. Every missed week is ceding sales and market share to an increasing amount of competition.
     
    GropplerZorn, TonyInGA and DJP like this.
  11. TonyInGA

    TonyInGA Member

    Thank you @Domenick

    ...

    I've never felt the "new car" itch as much as I have for the Ariya. CANNOT wait for it come out. Though, I'm hesitant on buying a Launch or E-4orce edition.

    And provided the colors are true (sometimes, WYSINWYG. Especially, with the greys), the Akatsuki Copper, Gun Metallic, Warm Silver and Ceramic Grey are on my list. So, that'll improve my chances of getting one shortly after they come out.
     
    electriceddy likes this.
  12. To remove this ad click here.

  13. I'm usually a fan of going with the 2-wheel-drive version of EVs, but in the Ariya's case, I'd go e-4orce if I could.
    One, I don't like front-wheel drive so much and two, the E-4orce system should be pretty good. It seemed like they're really making an effort to optimize the abilities of the electric-drive setup. For instance, they try to improve pitch and dive on acceleration and deceleration by precisely controlling the energy output or regen braking forces on front and back motors.

    Color-wise, I really like the Akatsuki Copper. It's unlike anything else out there. Also, I like to say "Akatsuki." :D
     
  14. TonyInGA

    TonyInGA Member

    @Domenick
    Cool. That is something to think about.

    Though, I could do w/o the sunroof.

    Do you know if there are any members from on the board who have an Ariya (gotta work on spelling that correctly; I'm always going Aryia :mad: )>

    Ah-so. :rolleyes::D

    But, yep. I totally agree with ya.

    At first, I didn't care much for it. But, after looking at it a bit longer, I think I'd prefer that over the others.
     
    electriceddy likes this.
  15. Very nice choice of color, actual Japanese translation is "Dawn" or Daybreak" which suits that hue exactly;)
    https://jlearn.net/dictionary/暁
     
    Last edited: Aug 6, 2021
    Domenick and TonyInGA like this.
  16. I speak some Japanese, but didn't realize this, so thanks for sharing. Now I like it even more and am going to go out of my way to use it in a sentence with my wife, Motoko. Repeatedly. :D
     
    TonyInGA and electriceddy like this.
  17. Not sure who you mean by "on the board," but no one has a production Ariya yet, since they haven't started series production. We will be able to make a reservation sometime this year, according to the Nissan US Ariya website.
     
    TonyInGA likes this.
  18. TonyInGA

    TonyInGA Member

    The board, meaning the Forum here.

    I know no one in the US has one (at least no one who isn't the test driver in Virginia, or where ever that Aryia was seen). But, I was referring to Japan. But, after reading this, https://www.insideevsforum.com/community/index.php?threads/ariya-delayed-in-japan-to-end-of-year.11765/ , that answers my question for sure. :(

    Just hope it doesn't further delay the US release.
     
  19. Oh, sorry, I should have understood you were referring to the Forum as a message board.
    If Japanese media gets to drive the Ariya before other press, there should also be videos. In Japanese, at least. Those may have auto-translate, so we should have an idea of their impressions. I also understand some Japanese, so will be keeping an eye out on those first reviews.
     
    TonyInGA likes this.
  20. TonyInGA

    TonyInGA Member

    @Domenick
    On a side note, how comfortable was the seat behind the wheel? Especially, lumbar support (a major issue with pre-2022 Chevy Bolts).
     
  21. To be honest, I don't recall. But, the seats in the mule we drove were probably LEAF seats and different from what will come in the Ariya. Kyle may have mentioned seat comfort in his walk-around video.
     
    TonyInGA likes this.

Share This Page