TAS 2024: Nissan Ariya Nismo Unveiled With 430 HP

At the recent annual Tokyo Auto Salon 2024 (TAS 2024) show, much hype was driven from said show by Toyota and its updated GR Yaris hot hatch, Hyundai with its radical NPX1 concept, and renowned tuners Liberty Walk with their latest work based on the Lamborghini Countach.

Nevertheless, the were still plenty of other highlights to note, one of which coming from Japanese automakers Nissan who showed off a new and souped up version of its Ariya EV SUV. Effectively, the Nissan Ariya Nismo now stands as the most powerful Nismo-badged EV ever created.

Following the GT-R, Z, and Japan-only Skyline, the fourth Nismo model introduced by Nissan isn’t just a mere styling exercise. It actually gained sizeable performance bump to match its snazzy aerokit, ss well as a matching artificial engines soundtrack derived from Nissan’s Formula E efforts.

This isn't a mere styling upgrade as the new Nissan Ariya Nismo also boasts upgraded power to match its snazzy new aerokit.

Visually, the Nissan Ariya Nismo easily stands out thanks to its angrier-looking front and rear bumpers, added aerodynamic parts including both a rear wing and lip spoiler, as well as striking 20-inch wheels and red accents.

Nissan plans to offer the Ariya Nismo across two versions in Japan starting with a base Ariya Nismo B6 e-4ORCE model that sees its dual-motors churn out 362 HP and 560 NM. Juicing these e-motors in this variant is a 66 kWh battery pack.

Next comes the Ariya Nismo B9 e-4ORCE variant packing a larger 91 kWh battery. The dual e-motors in this variant outputs higher figures of 430 HP and 600 NM too. As for weight, the lower-end guise tips the scale at a claimed 2,210 KG whilst the other boasts 2,220 KG figure.

For reference, the standard Ariya EV SUV packs either a 65 kWh or 90 kWh battery pack, whilst dual-motor variants output anywhere between 275 HP to 389 HP only. In contract, this new Nismo-badged performance versions do boast highly charged outputs indeed.

Nissan didn't release any performance data, but expect the Ariya Nismo to have quicker speeds, enhanced responses, and sharper handling than the regular Ariya EV SUV.

Despite so, Nissan hasn’t released performance date for the Ariya Nismo. Again, for reference, the quickest regular dual-motor variant of the Ariya has a claimed 0-100 KM/H sprint time of 5.1 seconds. Expect this Nismo-badged special to be quicker.

Moreover, we can also expect the Nissan Ariya Nismo to offer enhanced handling as said performance arm has tweaked its chassis – namely its suspension. It also comes with an exclusive Nismo drive mode with maximised response and heightened artificial engine soundtrack.

Notably, the Ariya Nismo also features a novel artificial engine sound generator that mimics the sound of Nissan's Formula E racer.

Visually, the Nissan Ariya Nismo is easily set apart from the regular Ariya thanks to the adoption of sportier front bumper brimmed with an extended splitter finished in a red accent. Also new here are the rocker panels and wing mirrors, both finished in red too.

At the rear, the Ariya Nismo gets a more pronounced roof spoiler and lip spoiler on the tailgate. It also gets a new gloss black rear bumper with red accents, along with 20-inch aluminium wheels, plus a series of Nismo badges placed all around.

The sporty motif continues on board with Nismo-branded seats, red accents, and Nismo badges.

Moving into the cabin, the Nissan Ariya Nismo sees its innards made sportier through the adoption of Nismo-branded seats, red accents on the center console, and dashboard, red contrast stitching, and a small Nismo logo on the dashboard.

Beyond its home market of Japan, it remains unclear if Nissan intends to offer this hotter version of arguably one of its best-selling EV crossover SUV today.