Nissan showcases Ariya electric tech in one-off, single-seater racing car

Nissan has revealed a Formula One-style high-performance single-seater based on its all-electric Ariya powertrain, presumably in an effort to demonstrate how powerful its new-generation electric vehicle could be if it were a racing car, not an SUV.

The main idea was to create the most aerodynamic body that would allow for maximum performance and range from the electric drive. The result is a work that resembles a modern interpretation of Formula E cars, but retains some of Nissan’s characteristic features.

“We are delighted to present the Nissan Ariya Single Seater Concept from our Nissan Futures event,” said GM for the global Nissan brand Juan Manuel Hoyos in a statement.

“At Nissan, we dare to do what others don’t. With this concept we want to showcase the high-performance potential of the Ariya’s powertrain in a motorsports-inspired package that not only hints at the design and styling of the road car that inspired it, but that also demonstrates a new and efficient EV performance language.

“Acting as a testbed for future technological evolution, this project can help bring excitement from the road to the race track, and also demonstrate Nissan’s expertise in transferring knowledge and technology from the race track to the road.”

The lines, which were created under the direction of Nissan’s head of design, Alfonso Albaisa, represent a mixture of motorsport and production cars. The current Formula E racer can be clearly recognized as a creative source of inspiration.

The Ariya Single Seater Concept, which is largely made of carbon, picks up on details such as the largely free-standing wheels, the basic shape of the nose and the front spoiler or the rear wing that visually emerges from the chassis. There are also typical features such as the roll bar and the halo safety system above the cockpit.

The Single Seater, as the name suggests, is distinguished above all by its central, open cabin. The partially covered rear wheels and the independent suspension with exposed wishbones also make an interesting impression.

Styling elements that characterize Nissan’s new electric workhorse Ariya can also be found in the Single Seater Concept in an adapted form. For example, it bears a livery using a two-tone design that dips the Ariya concept study in black at the top and in bronze at the bottom.

While a production version is out of the question, Nissan officials say the concept will have an impact on the brand’s future models, hinting at perhaps a future electric sports car. Currently, such possibilities include the brand new 400Z and its stablemate GT-R. Both are currently only available with a combustion engine, but will in all likelihood give way to electrification in the near future.

Nissan Australia has told The Driven the Ariya electric SUV is still unconfirmed for Australia.

Bridie Schmidt

Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.