Nissan Ariya Concept
Overview
Concept vehicles give us the chance to dream and imagine ourselves in a car that’s either futuristic, super high-tech, completely unique-looking, or a combination of those things. Nissan has added the Ariya, an all-new electric crossover, to its lineup in Japan and may bring it to the U.S. market within a year or two. According to the automaker, the Ariya is not so much a product of imagination but a vehicle that embodies Nissan Intelligent Mobility, which is based on autonomous driving technology. While the details of this game-changing utility vehicle are still relatively sparse, we know just enough to keep eager drivers in the loop.
Design
The overall design of the 2021 Nissan Ariya Concept sets it apart from the sharp lines commonly found on today’s crossovers and SUVs. Its rounded edges lean more toward space-age than aggressive, as do its sleek and wide front fenders, thin LED headlights, and front ”shield” that replaces the traditional grille (after all, an EV doesn’t need to let air in through its fascia). In the true spirit of a concept car, it looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. But there’s practicality in this design too, as it represents the reduction not just of the harmful emissions that its electric motor eliminates, but also the expected reduction in collisions owed to its adaptive vehicle intelligence and autonomous maneuvering.
Powertrain
The 2021 Nissan Ariya Concept will be driven by a high-power, twin-motor, all-wheel drive system that promises noteworthy performance. As with all EVs, the driver will feel instant torque, in this case via a dual front/rear motor drive configuration. With its efficiency and state-of-the-art battery, the Ariya is expected to provide a range of up to 300 miles. It will handle like a dream, too, delivering excellent handling on slippery surfaces without the driver needing to adjust their steering input. A torque split system – the same one used in the Nissan GT-R – working within Nissan Patrol’s intelligent 4×4 system will manage and continuously adjust power delivery to the four wheels as needed for ultimate traction.
Comfort, Convenience and Safety
Minimalists will love the 2021 Nissan Ariya Concept’s clean and beautifully simplified setup. Inside, buttons have been replaced by touch controls, freeing up loads of space and decluttering the instrument panel. On the technology front, the 2021 Nissan Ariya Concept features a specialized Door-to-Door Navigation system that allows drivers to set a destination from their smartphone, which then transfers to the vehicle’s infotainment display. The car’s technology can even sync with the driver’s schedule to anticipate departure times and prepare the vehicle to be climate-controlled just before anyone gets in. In similar fashion to Tesla’s Smart Summon feature, drivers can even use their phone to park the 2021 Nissan Ariya Concept automatically from a nearby location, using ProPilot’s Remote Park system.
The Nissan Ariya Concept will be supplied with plenty of active driver aids and will debut Nissan’s second-generation version of semi-autonomous driving: ProPilot 2.0. This system allows for hands-off driving in certain situations. When the Ariya is approaching a road diversion or preparing to pass another vehicle, the autonomous system will determine when the vehicle should respond based on information provided by the navigation system. When it’s to resume “manual” driving, the Ariya will send audio and visual alerts to prompt the driver to put their hands back on the steering wheel. As a safety measure, whenever ProPilot 2.0 is engaged, the interior lighting changes colors to signal that hands-off driving has been enabled.