Nissan Nods Toward The Future With Ariya Electric Crossover Concept Vehicle

Nissan (NSANY) has unveiled its crossover electric concept vehicle with the launch of the Ariya at the Tokyo Motor Show. The automaker gave a first hint about the vehicle in 2017, expanding on its design and technology since that time.

According to Nissan, the Ariya, while only a concept vehicle at this time, could evolve into a production vehicle in the near future.

"The Ariya Concept represents a strong collaboration between design and engineering," Yasuhiro Yamauchi, representative executive officer at Nissan, said. "It is the next stage of Nissan's future design language as we embark on a new era for the company – the next stage in our evolution."

With the Ariya, Nissan is embarking on an entirely new direction for the design of its electric vehicles. The crossover encompasses “Japanese DNA” in a modern way that the company calls “Timeless Japanese Futurism.”

The vehicle has been engineered with a “sleek, seamless, and sexy” design inside and out with wide front fenders, thin LED headlights, and a new front shield instead of a grille.

"We replaced the conventional grille with what we call a ‘shield' – an expressive piece with innovative 3-D texture within that goes beyond cosmetics, but also as a way to highlight the technology lurking within the vehicle," Alfonso Albaisa, senior vice president of global design at Nissan, said. "In this case, it's a radar sensor and other technologies that help the Ariya Concept read the road and visualize things the driver can't see."

Drive system on the crossover uses a dual front and rear motor drive configuration that delivers torque to all four wheels. Twin motors are integrated into the drivetrain, offering all-wheel drive that delivers power and manages braking automatically for minimal tire slippage, Nissan said.

Driving range on the vehicle was not provided, but the automaker did say the Ariya was designed for long-distance driving without lengthy charging times. The vehicle also supports the company’s Energy technology that allows for EV battery charging as well as home and business power and energy selling back to the power grid.

Nissan showed the Ariya in a Suisei Blue paint color, which was developed to show matte coloring from afar and light refraction from embedded glass flakes up close, which the company compared to a “comet crossing the night sky.” The crossover also has copper accents to symbolize the sun breaking through the night sky or the “dawn of a new automotive era” while giving a nod to Japanese artists.

Inside the vehicle, drivers will be treated to haptic touch controls that disappear into the EV’s surface when not in use. The only physical buttons on the crossover are the start button and a knob to operate the monitor and climate controls, Nissan said.

Rounding out the EV is a five-blade profile, 21-inch aluminum wheels with custom tires, low sleek roofline for aerodynamics, blackout lenses, rear fender flares, and high-mounted wing, which Nissan said suggests the crossover's power.

"Nissan has a clear vision of global mobility. The Ariya Concept is just the beginning, as Nissan considers how design, packaging and driver enjoyment can be transformed through the architecture of new EV platforms," said Yamauchi.

"The Ariya Concept is not a concept car designed from far off ideas, but rather a car that embodies Nissan Intelligent Mobility at its core and highlights a promise of an entirely new driving experience on the horizon.”

Alongside the Ariya, Nissan displayed the IMk, its electric urban commuter concept debuted earlier in October. Together with the Ariya, the company said the two EVs serve as “bookends” for Nissan’s electrified vehicle vision.

Shares of Nissan stock were down 1.38 percent as of 3:36 p.m. ET on Wednesday.