NISMO is the motorsport division of Nissan which was founded some four decades ago, formed as a result of a merger of two departments and in 1988 the first dedicated race car appeared, the iconic Skyline R32. Another early production was the Saurus, it was for a one make series. The R32 which had the GT-R badge saw the development and production of five hundred evolution editions purely for road use. Cars bearing the NISMO name have competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Daytona and more recently in the electric motor racing series Formula E. The return of road going cars is now celebrated with the Nissan Ariya NISMO, a 435PS EV in the hatchback style and recently I spent a week behind the wheel with what I consider in design terms one of the best looking EVs currently on the road. Alas all too often the exterior design of some EVs just lack mainly in terms of on road presence, not so with the Ariya NISMO it does get looks.
This is Nissan’s first fully electric NISMO model, dynamic, agile and with a strong personality and it builds on Nissan’s strong NISMO heritage with it’s Japanese-inspired design and it manages to bring a new level of exhilaration to the already appreciated performance of the 87KWh Ariya e 4ORCE. On first casting my eyes on this offering from Nissan, I was taken by the sharp and sporty exterior details with echoes from the racetrack. Very much a Japanese-inspired crossover design, you get a fluid, aerodynamic performance that reduces drag and generates greater downforce at higher speeds. Looking at performance rest to 100kph (62mph) in five seconds and in company with many other EVs I have tested smooth acceleration. It fits in to the so called EV crossover sector and differs from many in this sector as it features a number of improved parts and with NISMO tuning, delivering higher performance thanks to a tuned VDC, in combination with high grip tyres and is also equipped with a fine-tuned e 4ORCE system for better power and torque distribution to the wheels. What really appealed to me the handling and cornering ability normally the reserve for motorsport. The NISMO-tuned e 4ORCE maximises the performance of both front and rear suspension systems, ensuring expert traction in all weather, without losing any of its precision. Stopping ability is impressive courtesy of finely tuned brake pads that give reliable stopping power under all conditions. Combined with the addition of ‘i-Booster’, this increases braking performance with revised regeneration tuning, aiding to experience the full thrill and agility of NISMO, while retaining a sense of security on the road.
In order to improve vehicle versatility, there is a new ‘NISMO’ driving mode to enhance how it responds to driver inputs, the result a better driver experience. The motor sport styling of the exterior flows seamlessly to the high-tech interior which has also been meticulously designed to provide a premium feel; the slick, black-based interior is complemented by a red accent that exudes style and sophistication which is further enhanced by the special NISMO seats, reminiscent of a Formula E car, with excellent grip and fit. Behind the wheel and the suspension has also been comprehensively reworked, with revised stabilisers, spring rates and shock absorber settings, to achieve enhanced balance and body control, and greater agility at higher speeds and the retuned steering adds increased resistance and a more direct feel as speeds rise. Yes the ride is firm, but overall the drive is rewarding, a mere minus point, I would welcome a better range, around 418km (260 miles), of course this is all down to the manner in which this NISMO is driven.
Ian Lynas