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

[Domenick]

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.

 

[Domenick]

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



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.

 

[Kenneth Bokor]

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.

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]

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.

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.

 

[TonyInGA]

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

...If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

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).

Cheers,

Tony

 

[Domenick]

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).

Cheers,

Tony

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.

 

[pucksave]

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.

If not until next summer then, too little-too late

 

[Domenick]

If not until next summer then, too little-too late

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.

 

[TonyInGA]

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.

 

[Domenick]

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.

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."

 

[TonyInGA]

@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 )>

... Also, I like to say "Akatsuki."

Ah-so.

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]

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."

Very nice choice of color, actual Japanese translation is "Dawn" or Daybreak" which suits that hue exactly
https://jlearn.net/dictionary/暁

 

[Domenick]

Very nice choice of color, actual Japanese translation is "Dawn" or Daybreak" which suits that hue exactly
https://jlearn.net/dictionary/暁

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.

 

[Domenick]

@Domenick
Do you know if there are any members from on the board who have an Ariya

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]

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.

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/comm.../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.

 

[Domenick]

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/comm.../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.

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]

@Domenick
On a side note, how comfortable was the seat behind the wheel? Especially, lumbar support (a major issue with pre-2022 Chevy Bolts).

 

[Domenick]

@Domenick
On a side note, how comfortable was the seat behind the wheel? Especially, lumbar support (a major issue with pre-2022 Chevy Bolts).

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.