By: Tarek Hawchar
With innovative technologies and six new electric models, Nissan embraces the electrified and sustainable future!
Nissan is preparing for an electrified and sustainable future by converting its entire lineup to fully electric by 2030
Nearly all global markets are seeing an increase in sales of electric and hybrid cars, pushing automakers to move beyond internal combustion technology. Every car manufacturer is trying to create its own vision of electric mobility, whether it is pure battery electric or plug-in hybrid.
Nissan is no exception. The Japanese automaker is preparing for an electrified and sustainable future by converting its entire lineup to fully electric by 2030. This follows its decision not to introduce any new pure internal combustion engine-powered passenger cars to Europe after 2023.
Luckily, we had the chance to go to Paris, France, to explore six new electric models Nissan introduced recently, ushering in a new electric era for the Japanese carmaker. It was thrilling to take the Juke Hybrid, the Qashqai e-POWER, and X-Trail e-POWER for a test drive. However, the all-electric 2023 Ariya SUV stole our hearts and minds, even before we stepped foot inside its classy, tech-laden cabin!
Nissan equipped both the Qashqai e-POWER and X-Trail e-POWER with the new e-POWER powertrain technology
e-POWER - the next generation in EV technology!
We had an exhilarating experience driving the two electric crossovers, the Qashqai e-POWER and X-Trail e-POWER. Nissan equipped both electrified models with the new e-POWER powertrain technology. With this hybrid system, an electric motor powers the wheels to provide instant and linear acceleration, along with a small combustion engine that acts as a generator and stores energy in a high-output battery. This means it offers the thrill of fully electric driving without the hassle of recharging.
With the Qashqai e-POWER, a 1.5-liter petrol engine connects to a front-mounted electric motor, giving a total output of 188 horsepower. However, in the X-Trail e-POWER, the innovative drivetrain is reinforced by the e-4ORCE all-wheel-control technology—a technology based on a dual-electric motor setup. Combining both technologies provides a stimulating, yet assured driving experience.
First unveiled as a concept in 2019, the all-new Nissan Ariya is poised to continue the success story of its hatchback sibling and write a new chapter in Nissan's electrification journey
Nissan Ariya: Redefining the all-electric crossover!
When Nissan introduced the world's first mass-market electric vehicle, the Leaf, in 2010, it became an instant hit, selling over 577,000 units worldwide and driving over 9 billion zero-emission kilometers in the past 12 years, setting the trend for modern electric vehicles.
First unveiled as a concept in 2019, the all-new Nissan Ariya is poised to continue the success story of its hatchback sibling and write a new chapter in Nissan's electrification journey. Nissan will launch this new electric crossover in our Middle East region, which makes it even more important.
Before climbing behind its wheels, the overall exterior design instantly drew us in. By adopting Nissan's "Timeless Japanese Futurism," Ariya's design remains true to the 2019 concept—a far cry from the sharp, angular lines we see on most Nissan vehicles today. Upfront, there is a large 3D-effect shield grille flanked by sophisticated thin LED headlights, while a new Nissan’s logo sits in the middle. Besides the 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels and the two-tone paint job, there is a steeply raked C-pillar and a one-piece light blade at the rear.
Billed as a “sleek café lounge on a starship,” the all-electric Ariya’s interior evokes performance and intrigue rather than a traditional cabin. There is a flat, open floor and a “floating” horizontal dashboard dominated by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment system—the latter receives over-the-air updates.
In the front and back, slim Zero Gravity seats provide plenty of legroom. However, the most striking thing about the cabin is the lack of physical buttons and switches found in traditional vehicles. Instead, there are touch buttons neatly integrated into the wood-like trim on the dashboard—illuminated when the car is switched on and almost invisible when not in use. Similarly, there are touch buttons on the center console to switch driver modes and control other functions.
There are two different battery sizes in the new Ariya: a 63.0-kWh standard battery and a larger 87.0-kWh pack, with a choice of front or all-wheel drive
The all-new Nissan Ariya is available in many variants with different powertrain flavors. There are two different battery sizes: a 63.0-kWh standard battery and a larger 87.0-kWh pack, with a choice of front or all-wheel drive. The base front-wheel-drive variants offer a single electric motor, delivering 214 hp and 300 Nm of torque. The range is up to 346 km.
The higher, all-wheel-drive versions are equipped with a dual (e-4ORCE AWD) electric motor—the “e” stands for Nissan’s 100% electric motor drive system, while “4ORCE” refers to the vehicle’s physical power and energy, with “4” representing all-wheel control. This setup produces up to 389 hp and 600 Nm of torque, while this variant can travel up to 482 km.
The battery pack is located under the floor, which helps achieve near 50:50 weight distribution between the front and rear, and ensures a low center of gravity. On the technology front, the all-new Ariya features a plethora of driver-assistance systems, including the e-Pedal. As first seen in the Nissan Leaf, the e-Pedal allows drivers to accelerate and decelerate solely by pressing the accelerator pedal. It distributes regenerative torque to both the front and rear wheels on models equipped with e-4ORCE.
The all-electric crossover also boasts the latest ProPILOT Assist 2.0 system, as well as ProPILOT Remote Park. While the original ProPILOT system allows drivers to remain centered in their lane and navigate stop-and-go highway traffic, ProPILOT Assist 2.0 extends that feature by allowing the drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel in certain conditions, as well as perform multi-lane highway driving tasks like lane changes, passing, and exiting.
The Verdict
Nissan's six electrified vehicles—Juke Hybrid, Qashqai e-POWER, X-Trail e-POWER, Leaf, Townstar, and Ariya—were a blast to drive. While we enjoyed climbing behind the wheel of such exciting EVs, driving the Ariya was a very different experience. The new Ariya will undoubtedly claim the top spot in the all-electric crossover segment, leaving the competition in the dust!