Nissan unveils 435hp Ariya NISMO in Tokyo

There's previous as far as NISMO SUVs are concerned - now it's embracing electric

By Matt Bird / Friday, 12 January 2024 / Loading comments

Remember the Juke NISMO? Hard to forget when Nissan tried to make a hot hatch of its small SUV. Looks remarkably prescient now, though (see Puma ST and Kona N) and the later RS was kind of entertaining. Now Nissan has affixed its most famous badge to the back of its new electric SUV - welcome the Ariya NISMO.

If this perhaps looks a tad modest for a NISMO, that rather seems the point: Nissan suggests that the Ariya offers ‘powerful acceleration, a spacious upgraded cabin and the quiet operation unique to electric vehicles.’ Thrilling, right? That said, there is up to 435hp and 442lb available (two variants have been launched), plus a NISMO drive mode that ‘maximises responses’ and introduces a soundtrack inspired by Formula E.

It’s said that every single chassis component has been given the NISMO treatment, which is encouraging, along with a rework of the e-4ORCE AWD; new ‘highly rigid’ 20-inch wheels are also standard fit. They don’t look like Rays just yet, though any reduction in unsprung mass would surely be useful. Turn in and stability are said to benefit. Elsewhere, the details are a little vague for the moment, though improved aero is promised. The mild bodykit should increase downforce but reduce drag, which will be handy in terms of range as much as anything. The most notable feature inside are a pair of NISMO seats.

So the Ariya doesn’t look to be doing loads for the reputation of modern NISMO, but then that’s probably more the job of the Z equivalent; this will likely join the ranks of similarly-specced, vaguely sporty SUVs. The Nissan isn’t the first, and certainly won’t be the last. You never know, it may even end up - like that Juke RS - being kind of fun in the end. Expect confirmation of UK sales later in 2024.