By Nissan is finally ready to expand its electric lineup. The Leaf is one of the pioneers in this segment and also the best-selling vehicle of all time. However, the Japanese carmaker showed no intention of bringing such technology to the crossover class until last year. The 2021 Nissan Ariya will be its first all-electric compact SUV.
The concept debuted in Tokyo. Of course, the first questions to spokesmen were – when will it enter production? Well, the answer was ‘soon’ and it doesn’t mean too much to fans and enthusiasts. More companies are thinking of a similar move, so Nissan is probably trying to hide intentions from rivals. Still, they have no time to wait forever. We believe the production-ready platform will debut in 2021.
Besides the concept, we don’t have any other clues. We can compare the 2021 Nissan Ariya with the existing LEAF, but it won’t tell us the precise range or specs. Definitely, the new model will improve all the existing numbers on the even smaller vehicle. Also, expect a higher price as well.
2021 Nissan Ariya Specs, Range, Battery
Some of the recent rumors are mentioning different companies planning to add electric models to their lineups. Most ranges should be around 300 miles. However, not all of them will offer such batteries as the base models. Instead, the downsizing will allow them to appear at much lower prices. So we can expect from the 2021 Nissan Ariya.
Whatsoever, the Leaf is covering 226 miles in a single charge. The new vehicle should beat it. Otherwise, why would buyers opt for the new model when they have a better one? Why would a company spend time and money if they can’t make everything better?
However, the Leaf is better than most rivals, although the Jaguar I-Pace can run 234 miles. The new Ariya crossover will be good for at least 250 miles, according to experts. The same sources are speaking of alternative motors and range up to 300 miles. Still, we don’t believe that Ariya will go after this number for the entry-level trim.
What Does it Look Like?
The new concept is pretty futuristic. Of course, a lot of changes are ahead of the Ariya concept before it becomes the production model. Also, the platform will serve as a solution for other small crossovers in Nissan’s portfolio, including Kicks, Rogue, and even Murano. Although electric vehicles, the 2021 Nissan Ariya has conventional grille. The dimensions of the concept we saw in Tokyo Show are similar to Rogue Sport. So, Ariya is even smaller than compact Rogue. Do not expect some exceptional off-road capabilities, since the vehicle sits lower than its conventional siblings.
When you walk inside, the impression is the same. A minimalistic dashboard with plenty of advanced digital features is not ready for production. However, the inspiration is there and we will probably see some parts of the new design language on the upcoming vehicle, and not only Ariya. The cabin will offer a similar cargo space as Rogue. The concept is shorter but also wider than its petrol sibling.
Autonomous Drive and New Infotainment Features
Our highest expectations are from the infotainment system. The company announced that the new generation is on the way and the NissanConnect is going to get more options, especially on the safety side. Still, the Ariya is the most advanced model in the lineup, so there should be a lot of high-end equipment included for this vehicle.
One of the certain things is the autonomous drive. First of all, the company already offers some self-driving options through the ProPilot system. But the carmaker announced serious work on the new edition. According to plans, Nissan vehicles will get Level 4 of autonomous drive pretty soon. Experts are pretty sure that the new system will be presented in the next electric car. The favorite is the Ariya concept.
2021 Nissan Ariya Release Date
Well, we know some things about the new platform and crossover. But, the company is not unveiling the exact dates of its release. It doesn’t look so far-fetched, especially with other companies developing similar models. Well, Nissan also has Leaf EV, so further evolution won’t take as much time.
The relation between the electric crossover and the autonomous drive is questionable. At this moment, the highest self-driving level is 2 and even Tesla can’t beat its best system. However, we can’t write off the chances of the Japanese carmaker, especially since they made it official. Also, the BMW plans to go a similar path, jumping over Level 2 and Level 3.
Conclusion
It is time when more and more hybrid and electric models are arriving at dealerships. The future of the automotive industry is electric, so these rumors are not a surprise. Definitely, Nissan is one of the leaders in the segment, and its fans are looking forward to seeing the new unit in the lineup.
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