Tokyo Auto Salon: 2024 Nissan Ariya NISMO revealed

Japan has taken its first swipe at the Kia EV6 GT and Hyundai IONIQ 5 N with the reveal of the new 2024 Nissan Ariya NISMO at the Tokyo Auto Salon today.

The Ariya NISMO is Nissan’s new flagship EV and the first battery-electric NISMO model to offer meaningful power and performance upgrades over its donor vehicle – in this case Nissan’s long-awaited mid-size electric SUV.

Set to be offered in two versions in Japan, the NISMO version of Nissan’s answer to the Tesla Model Y and the upcoming Toyota bZ4X and Volkswagen ID.4 brings a big step up in performance over the standard Ariya, which produces just 160kW/300Nm in entry-level front-drive 63kWh form.

The B6 e-4ORCE version outputs 270kW/560Nm and the flagship B9 e-4ORCE slams down a heady 320kW/600Nm.

None of those outputs are enough to worry the bonkers Korean cousins, which offer up to 478kW, but they do mark a big increase over the non-NISMO JDM Ariyas and should still yield 0-100km/h times in the vicinity of five and four seconds respectively.

Nissan claims to have specially tuned the uprated dual-motor powertrains for acceleration and has fitted the NISMOs with an exclusive drive mode designed to maximise powertrain performance and input response.

We’re yet to see anything to do with official driving ranges (the base Ariya offers 403km) or top speeds, but we can confirm the B6 e-4ORCE features a 64kWh battery pack while the gutsier and inevitably dearer B9 e-4ORCE features a bigger 91kWh unit.

Both versions are essentially indistinguishable from one another owing to their matching NISMO body kits, angry 20-inch alloys, Stealth Grey hero colour, lower ride heights and signature red piping.

The red theme continues within to cabin and is seen on the steering wheel, dash, doors and armrest to contrast against the largely black leather and suede upholstery, with some sporty red and black graphics also showing on the digital instrument cluster.

Heavily bolstered sport seats embossed with the NISMO logo round out the major interior changes and reflect the sharper chassis set-up supporting the whole package, with the springs, dampers and sway bars all being specially tuned NISMO units – read stiffer and beefier.

The 20-inch wheels are wrapped in 255/45 Michelin Pilot Sport rubber and we wouldn’t be surprised if the braking package has been upgraded as well.

“The stylish and futuristic crossover SUV is NISMO’s flagship EV model. It offers powerful acceleration, a spacious upgraded cabin and the quiet operation unique to electric vehicles,” Nissan said.

“The Ariya NISMO delivers greater confidence and peace of mind thanks to its extremely powerful yet smooth acceleration, exemplary handling and stellar aerodynamic performance.”

Given we’re yet to hear when the standard Ariya line-up will actually become available Down Under, there no word yet on whether the hotter EV will be offered here.

But if the Australian market is given the green light, you can expect only limited quantities as per the Nissan Z NISMO Coupe.