Nissan’s new electric crossover from the Ariya family will finally show up in British showrooms in the New Year, says RAY MASSEY
So long in coming, but Nissan’s new Ariya family electric crossover is finally set to hit UK showrooms in the New Year.
The Japanese giant announced this week that it is now available for pre-order with first deliveries in the UK this summer.
Electric dream: the upcoming Ariya is the most anticipated electric car by the public
Perfect timing, because the Ariya has just been voted the most anticipated electric car of 2022 by consumers at the annual DrivingElectric Awards, where the MG ZS EV was named the cheapest car and overall car of the year.
Prices start at £ 41,845 for the lowest powered two-wheel drive version with a range of 223 miles aimed at families who use their vehicle primarily in urban or suburban areas.
There’s a lot of sizzling from the top-of-the-line all-wheel-drive performance model, but none of the versions qualify for the recently cut plug-in auto grant.
I saw the almost production-ready Ariya prototype for the first time in Japan and crawled around when it was presented at the Tokyo Motor Show before Covid 2019 – which now seems like an eternity – before the virtual online unveiling of the production model almost 18 months ago in the July 2020.
From the market launch there will be four versions – in two battery sizes – with increasing power and, depending on the model, either with two or all-wheel drive: Advance (63 kWh), Evolve (87 kWh), e-4ORCE Evolve (87 kWh) and e- 4ORCE- Power (87kWh).
The latter, priced at £ 58,440, leads the range with all-wheel drive of two electric motors. It accelerates from rest to 100 km / h to up to 124 km / h in 5.1 seconds and has a range of 248 miles.
Will it fit in my garage? New Nissan Ariya
Price: € 41,845 to € 58,440
Order open books: now
First UK deliveries: Summer 2022
Power: electric
Emissions: zero
Length: 4595 mm
Broad: 1850 mm
Height: 1660 mm
Wheelbase: 2775 mm
Top speed: 99 mph to 124 mph
0-100 km / h: 5.1 seconds to 7.6 seconds
Power: 217 hp to 394 hp
Batteries: 63kWh and 87kWh
Drive: 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive.
Area: 223 miles to 310 miles
Weight (depending on design and equipment): 1.8t – 2.3t
Wheels: 19 inches and 20 inches.
Four versions: Advance (63kWh), Evolve (87kWh), e-4ORCE Evolve (87kWh) and e-4ORCE Performance (87kWh).
Trailer load: 750kg / 1.5t
Luggage capacity:
2WD: 466 liters
4WD: 408 liters
The premium features include 20-inch alloy wheels (19-inch standard), a panoramic sliding roof, a Bose sound system with ten speakers, an advanced head-up display, an intelligent rear-view mirror and striking blue nappa leather seat fronts.
The 242 horsepower two-wheel drive version offers a maximum range of 310 miles with a top speed of 99 mph and a residual speed of 100 mph in 7.6 seconds.
Andrew Humberstone, Managing Director of Nissan Motor GB, said, “Ariya is a bold new chapter in Nissan’s electrification journey and we are thrilled that the public is as excited as we are at Nissan.”
Record positions for Rolls’ apprenticeship training
Covid bans have hit young people hard, but here is some good news for the new year.
Goodwood, Sussex-based luxury automaker Rolls-Royce announced a record 37 places in its prestigious apprenticeship program this week.
Future talent: Successful candidates starting from 2022 will receive paid in-service training and part-time training for two to four years
Successful candidates starting in 2022 will receive two to four years of paid on-the-job training and formal part-time education leading to NVQ Level 3, HNC, HND and degrees.
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said: ‘We have always recognized the fundamental importance of investing in future talent.’
Because the Spirit of Ecstasy celebrates the spirit of education, candidates should apply online at: rolls-royce motorcars.com/careers. The application deadline is February 20, 2022.
SAVE MONEY WHEN DRIVING A CAR
