Back in January, a Nissan Ariya was sighted going about in Petaling Jaya, and the registration plate of the particular example pretty much established it as that brought in through official channels, no surprise given that the unit, finished in an Akatsuki Copper exterior, resembled the one seen on a transporter last August.
An appearance by the all-electric SUV in Malaysian Nissan distributor Edaran Tan Chong Motor’s CNY greeting video in 2022 suggested that it was on the cards for our market, but nothing has been heard – or seen – of the car since the January sighting, until now.
Reader Wemms Chin caught sight of an Ariya parked at The Waterfront in Desa ParkCity earlier today, and duly snapped a couple of photos of the white unit. Given that there hasn’t been a peep on when the EV is coming (or for that matter, if it is even coming), this could very well be a grey import.
As mentioned in our earlier posts, it remains to be seen which variant we will be getting if the EV does eventually come our way. The Ariya is available in 2WD (single motor, driving the front wheels) and dual-motor AWD versions, each with different lithium-ion battery options, these being a 66 kWh pack (63 kWh usable) as well as a larger capacity 91 kWh pack (87 kWh usable).
Equipped with the 66 kWh battery, the B6 2WD offers up to 450 km of travel (WLTP), while output from its motor is rated at 160 kW (215 hp) and 300 Nm. The motors on the B6 AWD, meanwhile, provide 250 kW (335 hp) and 560 Nm in terms of output, with the trade-off being a slightly lower operating range of 430 km.
As for the variants equipped with the 91 kWh battery, the B9 2WD version – which has a slightly higher 178 kW (239 hp) output – provides up to 610 km of travel, the highest in the four variant range. At 290 kW (389 hp) and 600 Nm, the B9 AWD has the highest output, and the second highest operating range at 580 km.
Will we see the Nissan Ariya enter the Malaysian market officially? Hopefully, there will be developments along that front in the not-too-distant future.
Spied under cover on a transporter here last August, the Nissan Ariya has now been seen on the road, with reader Silver Low sighting the all-electric SUV in Damansara Uptown earlier this evening. The Akatsuki Copper coloured example is likely the same vehicle from last year, and that vehicle registration plate isn’t all that subtle, with Tan Chong pasted all over it.
The Ariya’s introduction in Malaysia was hinted back in February last year, when the vehicle made an appearance in Malaysian Nissan distributor Edaran Tan Chong Motor’s CNY greeting video. Might we expect a market introduction sometime soon, now that we’re a year in?
Measuring 4,595 mm long x 1,850 mm wide x 1,655 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,775 mm, the Ariya is a little shorter and lower than the X-Trail, but a bit wider and with a longer wheelbase.
It remains to be seen which variant we will be getting when the EV comes our way. It’s available in both 2WD (single motor, driving the front wheels) and dual-motor AWD versions, each with different lithium-ion battery options, a 66 kWh pack (63 kWh usable) as well as a larger capacity 91 kWh pack (87 kWh usable).
As mentioned previously, the 2WD versions are very much focused on economy and maximising range, with the 91 kWh 2WD variant having the longest range, with up to 610 km of travel on a single charge. Its electric motor is also a bit more powerful, rated at 178 kW compared to 160 kW on the 2WD 66 kWh variant. As for the AWD versions, the 66 kWh-equipped variant offers up to 430 km of travel, while the 91 kWh can manage up to 580 km.
The Nissan Ariya electric SUV has been sighted on a transporter in Malaysia, which could mean a launch date is approaching. The Ariya in the hero Akatsuki Copper colour was seen in the Segambut area today. The uncovered bottom half with the exposed wheel design gives away its identity.
We first got hints of the Nissan Ariya EV SUV making a possible introduction in Malaysia back in February when we saw it make an appearance in Malaysian Nissan distributor Edaran Tan Chong Motor’s CNY greeting video. ETCM was one of the first companies in Malaysia to embrace electric cars – it introduced both the Nissan Leaf under the Nissan brand as well as the Renault Zoe and Twizy under the Renault brand.
The Nissan Ariya measures 4,595 mm long x 1,850 mm wide x 1,655 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,775 mm. Externally, the Ariya is a little shorter and lower than the X-Trail, but it is a bit wider. It has a longer wheelbase compared to the X-Trail.
There are two choices of lithium ion battery packs – a 66 kWh pack with 63 kWh usable, or a 91 kWh pack with 87 kWh usable. All versions use active cooling.
You either have 2WD where a single motor drives the front wheel, or AWD versions where you have two motors, one driving the front axle and one driving the rear axle. The 2WD versions are focused on economy and maximising range. The 91 kWh 2WD version has the longest rated range – up to 610 km. Its electric motor is a bit more powerful, rated at 178 kW compared to 160 kW on the 2WD 66 kWh variant. The fastest Ariya you can buy is the 91 kWh 290 kW AWD version, which can hit 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds.
The following are the prices of the Nissan Ariya in Japan at time of publishing:
Nissan Ariya 2WD 66 kWh – 6,600,000 yen (RM219k)
Nissan Ariya 2WD 91 kWh – 7,400,800 yen (RM245k)
Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE AWD 66 kWh – 7,200,600 yen (RM239k)
Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE AWD 91 kWh – 7,900,200 yen (RM262k)
Given that CBU electric cars currently enjoy import and excise duty exemptions until the end of 2023, it could be possible to directly convert the Japanese pricing for the Nissan Ariya to try to predict Malaysian pricing. Perhaps just add 10% to the above prices to reflect SST.
With almost every EV in Malaysia having long waiting lists, the introduction of new models are certainly welcome. At least you can get into the front of the waiting list if you are eager to try out the world of electric cars. What do you think of the new Nissan Ariya?
We first got hints of the Nissan Ariya EV SUV making a possible introduction in Malaysia back in February when we saw it make an appearance in Malaysian Nissan distributor Edaran Tan Chong Motor’s Chinese New Year greeting video.
Tan Chong was one of the first companies in Malaysia to embrace electric cars – it introduced both the Nissan Leaf under the Nissan brand as well as the Renault Zoe and Twizy under the Renault brand.
The latest generation Leaf’s price recently got updated to reflect its new import and excise duty exempted status – it’s now priced at RM168,800, down from its initial launch price of RM188,888.
But the Leaf has been around for some time now and perhaps has lost a little lustre. The market is full of new models now, and Nissan has upped its game with the new Nissan Ariya, the Japanese automaker’s first mass market fully electric passenger car since the original Leaf.
What segment does the Nissan Ariya compete in?
The Nissan Ariya measures 4,595 mm long x 1,850 mm wide x 1,655 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,775 mm. As a comparison, it’s stablemate the T32 Nissan X-Trail currently sold in Malaysia measures 4,690 mm long x 1,820 mm wide x 1,740 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,705 mm.
Externally, the Ariya is a little shorter and lower than the X-Trail, but it is a bit wider. It has a longer wheelbase compared to the X-Trail.
This is typical of electric cars, where the trend is for longer wheelbases in relation to exterior length and segment size because axles powered by electric motors are not constrained by combustion engine and gearbox placement. So I think it’s safe to call the Ariya a C-segment SUV like the X-Trail.
What are the electric motor and battery choices?
The Nissan Ariya line-up is built from a few combinations of motors and battery packs. You either have 2WD where a single motor drives the front wheel, or AWD versions where you have two motors, one driving the front axle and one driving the rear axle.
There are two choices of lithium ion battery packs – a 66 kWh pack with 63 kWh usable, or a 91 kWh pack with 87 kWh usable. One big improvement over the Leaf’s design – they now use active liquid cooling instead of passive air cooling, which should result in improved battery health and higher peak DC charging rates.
The 2WD versions are focused on economy and maximising range. The 91 kWh 2WD version has the longest rated range – up to 610 km. Its electric motor is a bit more powerful, rated at 178 kW compared to 160 kW on the 2WD 66 kWh variant, but you will notice it is actually 0.1 seconds slower in the 0-100 km/h sprint because the additional power is merely to offset the extra weight of the larger battery pack.
The AWD models have a more performance and handling bias – Nissan has produced some pretty cool marketing videos to sell the benefits of the e-4ORCE electric AWD system.
The fastest Ariya you can buy is the 91 kWh 290 kW version, which can hit 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds, while being rated for 580 km range. Having two motors instead of one makes it less efficient than the 2WD version. The 66 kWh AWD model kind of sits in the middle, it’s not the fastest and cannot go the furthest, but it’s cheaper to buy than the models with the fastest acceleration or the longest range.
How much could the Nissan Ariya be priced in Malaysia?
Given that CBU electric cars currently enjoy import and excise duty exemptions until the end of 2023, it could be possible to directly convert the Japanese pricing for the Nissan Ariya to try to predict Malaysian pricing.
The following use currency conversions at the time of publishing:
Nissan Ariya 2WD 66 kWh – 6,600,000 yen (RM226k)
Nissan Ariya 2WD 91 kWh – 7,400,800 yen (RM254k)
Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE AWD 66 kWh – 7,200,600 yen (RM247k)
Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE AWD 91 kWh – 7,900,200 yen (RM271k)
A starting price of RM226k up to RM271k would put the Ariya smack in the middle of the hotly contested RM200k-RM300k EV range which are full of other electric SUVs.
The following EVs would be competing with the Ariya:
BMW iX3 M Sport Inspiring 73.8 kWh – RM298k
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Lite 2WD 58 kWh – RM199k
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Plus 2WD 58 kWh – RM230k
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Max AWD 72.7 kWh – RM260k
Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 AMG Line 66.5 kWh – RM278k
Volvo XC40 Recharge BEV 78 kWh – RM262k
With a 100 km/h sprint time of 5.1 seconds, the most performance-oriented Nissan Ariya would be second fastest accelerating EV of the lot, beating the Ioniq 5 Max AWD by 0.1 seconds and only losing to the Volvo XC40 BEV’s 4.9 seconds time. The slowest of the lot would be the EQA, only being capable of a 8.9 second sprint, significantly slower than even the slowest Ariya 2WD 91 kWh model.
You can read more about the Nissan Ariya in our previous story, which we published back in July 2020. Yes, it’s been nearly two years since it was first unveiled and it’s only going to roll into showrooms this year. Guess that’s what a pandemic and chip shortage does to automotive product timelines.
What do you think, would you consider a Nissan Ariya over its competitors given a similiar budget? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
After a long period of quiet, 2022 promises to be a year packed with activity on the Nissan front, because it isn’t just the Kicks B-segment crossover that was teased in Edaran Tan Chong Motor’s (ETCM) recent Chinese New Year greeting video – the coming year may also see the Nissan Ariya all-electric SUV making its way here.
The front end of the EV is shown at the ending of the video, suggesting that the model is on the cards for introduction sometime this year. That the Ariya is slated for the market isn’t surprising – in 2020, there had been unofficial intimation that there were plans to bring the car in, although pricing remained a point that needed to be worked on.
That it is now being hinted at broadly means that those challenges have been largely overcome, very likely due to the tax breaks for EVs announced by the government, which would now make it competitive. Pricing for standard models in Japan start at approximately five million yen (RM183,000), after available government subsidies, so this provides a good indicator of how local pricing could shape up.
The Ariya is the automaker’s first mass-market fully-electric model since the Leaf, and will go on sale in four variant forms, in 63 kWh and 87 kWh battery capacities, each in either front- or all-wheel drive guise.
With the 63 kWh pack, the single-motor variant makes 160 kW (215 hp) and 300 Nm of torque and delivers an estimated range of up to 450 km (WLTP cycle), with a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 7.5 seconds. The motor is boosted to 178 kW (239 hp) with the 87 kWh battery, but because of the additional weight incurred, it’s slightly slower to get to 100 km/h at 7.6 seconds. At 610 km, its range is the highest in the Ariya line-up.
As for the two-motor e-4ORCE AWD models, the 63 kWh model makes 250 kW (335 hp) and 560 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and has an operating range of up to 430 km. The 87 kWh AWD model has 290 kW (388 hp) and 600 Nm, does the same sprint in 5.1 seconds and can travel up to 580 km on a single charge. In Japan, charging the Ariya via a 130 kW CHAdeMO fast charger provides 375 km of additional range in just 30 minutes.
The Ariya hasn’t made its way into the market yet – it was originally set to be introduced domestically in mid-2021, but the impact of Covid-19 and the semiconductor shortage has pushed back volume production to this year.
Nissan is opening the next chapter of its electrification strategy with the Ariya, its first all-electric SUV. A faithful recreation of the concept shown at the Tokyo Motor Show last year, it represents a massive leap forward for the brand in terms of design, technology and performance.
Built on an all-new, dedicated electric vehicle platform, the Ariya is the first car to feature Nissan’s new electrified brand identity. The show car’s sleek profile has been largely retained, with a low, sweeping roofline, a short bonnet and a flush front end.
The traditional grille has been replaced by what Nissan calls a shield, with the new logo sitting front and centre. This panel, which features a kumiko pattern just underneath the surface, hides the sensors for the car’s ProPilot autonomous driving features, which we’ll talk about later. Framing the shield is a pair of light strips, which combine with the LED headlights to mimic the company’s signature V-motion look.
The side profile is defined by the clean surfacing, a single shoulder line connecting the front and rear fascias as well as the arching window trim. Moving to the rear, you’ll find subtly flared fenders, a blacked-out full-width tail light that stays permanently on when driving, and a sporty tailgate spoiler.
On the colour palette are five full-body paint options and nine two-tone colour schemes, the latter with a black roof. The Ariya is also offered with the Akatsuki package (unrelated to the Naruto series, just so you know), featuring a copper hue inspired by sunlight at daybreak. Five-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels come as standard, with 20-inch rollers available depending on the grade selected.
Inside, it’s just as futuristic as on the outside, with a clean and uncluttered cabin that Nissan says is the most spacious in its class. The open, flat floor is claimed to provide plenty of legroom and facilitate more natural interaction between passengers, while Nissan’s ultra-comfortable Zero Gravity seats feature a slimmer design to free up yet more room.
The minimalist dashboard, which wraps around the occupants, dispenses with conventional buttons and switches – the designers instead opted to go with capacitive controls that blend into the wood trim when not in use. The centre armrest console can be moved to suit the driver and is topped with a pebble-like “gear selector” that supposedly provides a more relaxed driving atmosphere.
Housed in the wavy freestanding display panel are two 12.3-inch displays for the instrumentation and the infotainment system. There’s a new user interface and a “hybrid” voice control system with advanced natural language recognition, which can be operated by saying either “Hello Nissan” or “Hey Nissan”. Alternatively, you can use Amazon Alexa to control music, make calls and control smart home appliances.
Just like last year’s facelifted Skyline, the Ariya is available with ProPilot 2.0, which provides hands-off single-lane highway automated driving and even assists in lane changes. The system uses seven cameras, five millimetre-wave radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic sonar sensors to get a sense of the car’s surroundings, together with the navigation system and high-definition, three-dimensional map data. In Japan, the Ariya will also be offered with ProPilot Park, allowing users to park their car remotely using an Intelligent Key.
The Ariya will be sold with a choice of two lithium-ion battery capacities, 63 kWh and 87 kWh, both of which will be offered with either front- or all-wheel drive. With the smallest battery, the single-motor variant makes 160 kW (215 hp) and 300 Nm of torque and delivers an estimated range of up to 450 km on the WLTP cycle, along with a zero-to-100 km/h sprint time of 7.5 seconds.
The motor is boosted to 178 kW (239 hp) with the 87 kWh battery, but it’s still ever so slightly slower to get to 100 km/h at 7.6 seconds. However, the targeted range is the longest in the lineup, a whopping 610 km. On both these variants, the top speed is limited to 160 km/h.
All-wheel-drive variants get a useful boost in performance with their twin electric motors. The 63 kWh model makes 250 kW (335 hp) and 560 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and has an expected range of up to 430 km. Topping the range is the 87 kWh model, which churns out 290 kW (388 hp) and 600 Nm and is tipped to be capable of travelling up to 580 km on a single charge. Better yet, this two-tonne behemoth will be able to get to 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds.
Nissan says that with a 130 kW CHAdeMO fast charger in Japan, the Ariya can draw up to 375 km of additional range in just 30 minutes. The battery, which sits under the floor for a lower centre of gravity, features a slimline design to free up space for the aforementioned flat floor, while an integrated cross member increases structural rigidity. The suspension has been tuned to suit, with the company claiming stable handling, a comfortable ride and reduced vibrations and noise.
Both all-wheel-drive models benefit from the new e-4ORCE all-wheel control technology, utilising learnings from the GT-R’s ATTESA E-TS torque split system and the Patrol’s intelligent 4×4 tech. It precisely controls the torque delivery on each axle to ensure maximum traction on any surface; it also introduces rear-motor regenerative braking to reduce vehicle pitch and dive under deceleration.
The system also applies independent braking force on each wheel to deliver a sort of torque vectoring effect, offering maximum cornering grip. The Leaf’s e-Pedal feature, which allows drivers to accelerate and decelerate using only the throttle pedal, can also be found here.
Deliveries of the new Ariya will kick off in Japan in mid-2021, with pricing projected to start at around 5 million yen (RM200,000). Like what you see here?
