Tag: Electric Cars

News: Nissan Introduces Electric Compact Crossover

Nissan Ariya To Come to U.S. Late Next Year

The Ariya is similar in size to Nissan’s best-selling Rogue crossover, but aimed at a new audience. The all-electric compact SUV will come in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive (dual motor) versions. It offers two powertrain packages, a 63-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack mated to a single 215-horsepower (hp) electric motor or an 87 kWh battery with 389 total hp from two motors. Range is estimated to be 267 miles for the smaller battery and 379 for the larger one, based on the generous WLTP test cycle. In the U.S., Nissan said it hopes to exceed 300 miles of range with the larger battery in a two-wheel drive configuration. Pricing in the U.S. will be “around $40,000,” according to Nissan.

Nissan Ariya EV
Nissan’s next EV

Inside, the Ariya concept had a minimalist dash with two large (12.3-inch) display screens and haptic-touch control buttons. It will come with the latest version of Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 that will allow some hands-off-the-wheel driving. The Ariya will launch in Japan mid-2021 and arrive in the U.S. market before the end of next year, joining a crowded electric crossover field.

The Ariya will be Nissan’s first full electric model since the Leaf was introduced 10 years ago, but represents the tip of the iceberg for a Nissan new model push, according to COO Ashwani Gupta.

“The Ariya, a key model in Nissan’s plan to roll out 10 new models in 20 months, demonstrates our commitment to meeting customer demand for crossovers with the most advanced electrified, automated and connected technologies,” Gupta said. “The company expects sales of its EVs and E-power electrified models to be more than one million units a year by the end of fiscal 2023. The Ariya will play a significant role in attaining that goal.”

A New Leaf in Nissan’s EV Strategy

Following the Leaf is one challenge for the Ariya, since Nissan has sold almost 500,000 units worldwide during the past decade. But the real target has to be the Tesla Model Y, which was introduced this year, but has yet to take off in sales. Unlike the Ariya, which has the profile of traditional crossover, the Model Y looks more like an expanded sedan. Nissan said the key attribute for the Ariya will be “sports car-like power,” which translates into 0-to-60 mph performance in the 5.1-second range.

Nissan Ariya EV
The Ariya has two large displays, but otherwise a minimalist approach
(RHD model show)

Nissan is also promoting the technology that will be available in the Ariya, a logical tie-in with an watershed vehicle like this. Featured will be Nissan’s next-generation ProPilot Assist 2.0 advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) that monitors driver attention to enable hands-off single-lane highway operation. The Ariya will also have a one-pedal operation mode that allows a driver to start, accelerate and decelerate to a stop using only the accelerator pedal.

Among the ADAS included in Nissan Safety Shield 360 are automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert and high beam assist. Other technology offered will be Nissan’s Intelligent Around View Monitor and Intelligent Forward Collision Warning.      

Nissan is moving to over-the-air (OTA) updates on Ariya firmware to keep its software current. It will also include the Amazon Alexa app as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to integrate the operator’s smartphone into the vehicle.

Design Elements

Nissan Ariya EV
More technology means more connectivity

The Ariya represents a new design language for Nissan EVs, which it has labeled Timeless Japanese Futurism. It appears to be a refinement of its existing design patterns externally. Inside, the flat floor enabled by the EV platform and thin-profile Zero Gravity seats make for a more spacious cabin than is found in current ICE models.

Nissan Ariya Specifications

Specs for the Ariya could change by the time the car arrives in the U.S. next year, but this is Nissan’s current configuraton.

Model configurations – Front-wheel drive (FWD) standard and long-range; all-wheel drive (AWD) standard and long-range

Passengers – Two-row, five-passenger

Drive options – FWD or AWD

Platform – New Alliance CMF-EV

Powertrain – Single (FWD) or dual (AWD) electric motors (Externally Excited Synchronous Motors, EESM)

Battery capacity – 63 kWh/87 kWh usable (total 65 kWh/90 kWh)

Thermal management – Active battery management systems

Estimated range – Up to approximately 300 miles (Nissan estimate)

Level 2 charging – Up to 7.2 kW

Nissan Ariya EV
Open up the back and the Ariya looks like most compact crossovers

DC charging – CCS standard up to 130 kW

Output – 160 kW – 290 kW

Torque – 221 pound-feet (lb.-ft.) – 443 lb. ft

Wheelbase – 109.3 inches.

Overall length – 182.9 inches

Overall width – 74.8 inches

Overall height – 65.4 – 65.7 inches (depending on roof rack)

Cargo volume – 16.5 cu. ft. (FWD)/14.6 cu. ft. (AWD)

Wheel size – 19- or 20-inch

Tire size – 235/55$19 or 255/45R20

Story by Michael Coates; photos from Nissan

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News: GM Commits To 12 Coming EVs

Expansion of Electric Offerings Outlined

Often news comes not from corporate press releases, but secondary material. Such is the case with General Motors electric vehicle product plan, which has dribbled out in individual announcements and teasers, but was finally drawn together in the company’s 2019 Sustainability Report that was released this month.

2022 Cadillac Lyriq
The Cadillac Lyriq will be the launch of the brand’s EV push

The document lays out a 12-EV strategy that would take GM from a one trick pony with its Chevrolet Bolt EV to a broad lineup of vehicles unmatched by any other in the American market. There are rumors of additional models beyond the 12 announced ones, which is logical given the flexible nature of the EV platform GM has developed.

Each of GM’s four brands would have a piece of the EV plan, but the most significant and broadest product lineup will be allocated to Cadillac as it assumes the role of GM’s leader in EVs.

The timing of the introduction of the new EV is spread over the next three models years will the bulk of them coming in the 2023-24 model years. Not surprising, they also are heavy on SUV/crossover models, tapping into the most popular segments in the current market.

Cadillac’s Five-Prong Approach

Cadillac has been designated by GM as its lead electric vehicle division, possibly indicating a reluctant acknowledgement of the Tesla strategy that started with a premium sedan as its lead volume product after seeding the market with a low-volume sports car.

2022 Cadillac Lyriq
Cadillac will be the first to use GM’s new EV platform

Cadillac will start its EVolution with the introduction of the 2022 Lyriq. The midsize crossover has been treasured in multiple images during the past several months. Its official launch was pushed back by the pandemic but now is scheduled for August 6. It also sets the nomenclature pattern for upcoming Cadillac EVs, using “iq.” In addition, it will be one of the first products to use the new GM Ultium batteries.

The following year (2023) Cadillac will get a flagship product, which they describe as a “high-performance, ultra-luxury sedan,” the Celestiq, designed to be virtually hand built in low volumes. An Escalade-size electric SUV also will join the lineup that year. In 2024 two more crossover/SUVs will join Cadillac’s EV lineup—probably a compact crossover similar in size to the XT4 and an extra-large, three-row (Escalade ESV-size) SUV. All of the Cadillac EVs are expected to be built in Michigan, most in the Detroit-Hamtramck plant that has been dedicated to electric vehicle production.

Chevrolet Expands the Bolt Brand

Next year, GM’s volume division will freshen the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and add a new crossover Bolt model based on the same architecture. Expect more tech features in what GM envisions as its volume EV models. Both of these models are expected to be on the market in 2021, delayed by the pandemic.

China Buick Velite7
We expect the China-based Buick Velite7 could be a preview
of the new Chevy Bolt crossover

Other EVs for the Chevy brand include a rumored electric van during 2022 (which could be joined by a GMC-branded twin), an announced electric version of the Silverado pickup in 2023 (potentially with a new name) with 400-plug mile range and three crossover/SUV models in the 2024 model year—a compact crossover, large (Suburban-size) SUV and a midsize SUV.

There is also a rumor that a hybrid or plug-in hybrid version of the Corvette could appear in 2022.

The Return of Hummer/Buick SUVs

Already teased extensively, the Hummer will return as an electric sub-brand of GMC. A pickup is due in 2022 followed by an SUV based on the same chassis the following year. Bragging rights will be based on “1,000 horsepower, 11,500 pound-feet of torque and 0-to-60 acceleration in three seconds.”

GMC Hummer EV
The Hummer will return as an EV sub-brand of GMC

Buick Division will offer two EVs in the 2023 model year—a midsize crossover about the size of the Envision and a large SUV. Those models may be previewed by some of the electric Buicks being introduced in China, the brand’s largest market. The brand may follow those two with a small electric SUV sourced out of China.

GM has made it clear that its gasoline and diesel-powered models (mostly crossovers and SUVs) will be the source of funds to build the not-yet-profitable electric vehicles that the company sees as its long-term future. That will extend the transition to electric models and probably blunt GM’s marketing of any of its divisions or vehicles as EV leaders.

GM EV platform
GM has a new platform and new batteries designed to underpin all of its new EV models

Even though it has provided examples of product delays as a result of the pandemic, GM claims its EV strategy has not been delayed significantly and the commitment to it, as evidenced by the 12-vehicle lineup in the Sustainability Report, remains strong.

The key is GM does not exist in a vacuum. Ford have several strong EV models due soon, led by the Mustang Mach-E crossover. European luxury and mainstream brands promise a cavalcade of new product, so it will be a competitive market for this lineup. The EV market is rapidly evolving in technology and broadening its appeal, so the next few years should be an exciting time for new models. We promise to be on top of every one as they appear.

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