Nissan was caught testing a sportier model of its Ariya crossover on the Nürburgring this week, prompting hypothesis as as to whether a full-blown efficiency mannequin is coming down the pipeline. If that’s the case, will Nissan name it a Nismo, or will it carry new branding supposed to divorce it from the corporate’s sportier internal-combustion fashions?
Let’s begin up entrance, the place this prototype is sporting a considerably pronounced lip spoiler with a smoothed-out decrease fascia above it, slightly than the standard open-mouth design of the usual Ariya. The sensor/digicam pods usually recessed inside the air curtain cut-outs on the entrance bumper have additionally moved inboard barely — presumably to permit for elevated airflow by way of the openings themselves.
The form of the entrance bumper and fenders can be completely different sufficient to make the Ariya’s black plastic flares appear much less pronounced on the prototype. It is exhausting to inform at this stage whether or not the physique is definitely wider, necessitating narrower fenders to maintain the general width the identical, or if the broader entrance bumper is creating an phantasm.
There’s not a ton to see on the flanks. The rocker covers seem like of an analogous design to these we have seen on manufacturing fashions, so there’s nothing obvious to report there. The wheels do not seem like lifted from any present fashions, and the light-weight, multi-spoke design suggests efficiency aspirations.
Essentially the most pronounced variations may be noticed within the rear. The spoiler atop the rear hatch seems to hold over from the usual automobile, however the pronounced lip that extends from the belt line across the base of the rear glass is new, as is the bigger “shelf” on the diffuser built-in into the rear bumper.
Nissan hasn’t stated something public about its efficiency goals for this new crossover, so in the intervening time we’re at the hours of darkness on what may be propelling it. For that, we’ll simply have to hold tight.
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