SHANGHAI MOTOR SHOW: All-electric Nissan Pathfinder previewed

Nissan had previewed a close-to-production battery-electric version of the Nissan Pathfinder at the Shanghai motor show this week.

Set to be produced in China as part of Nissan’s partnership with Dongfeng, the Pathfinder EV looks nothing like the fifth-generation (R53) Nissan Pathfinder introduced in Australia last year.

That’s because the battery-powered SUV has been made specifically for the Chinese market and the three-row SUV shown in Shanghai might be more closely linked to the much-smaller Arizon SUV it shared its stand with.

That means that instead of being based on Nissan’s D-segment platform, the Chinese Pathfinder concept might sit on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance CMF-EV architecture that underpins the Nissan Ariya and Renault Megane E-TECH.

Compared to the much larger Pathfinder sold here, it features a cleaner overall design highlighted by a large V-Motion grille with integrated LEDs, smooth bodyside surfacing and less pronounced rear wheel-arches.

At the rear there's a full-width LED light bar and illuminated Pathfinder lettering.

Inside, the concept features a 2+2+3 layout, suggesting an eight-seater version may also become available, while the black and white leather and extensive gold accents on the steering wheel, vents and seats are expected to be dropped for production.

However, the large instrument panel and big infotainment touch-screen are both expected to carry over unchanged.

No details were released about the Chinese Pathie’s platform architecture nor the powertrain that will drive it, but the three-row electric SUV could be on sale in China before the end of the year.

For everything you auto know about EVs, listen to carsales' Watts Under the Bonnet: the electric car podcast

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au