Nissan Ariya Nismo Set to Electrify European Market as New Performance Flagship for Electric SUVs

The Japanese automaker recently confirmed that it will launch the Ariya Nismo model in Europe early next year, which will become the new performance flagship of the electric SUV. The model will also be the first to carry the badge in the region since the GT-R Nismo was withdrawn due to increasingly stringent emissions standards.

Ivan Espinosa, Nissan’s head of global product strategy, confirmed to the magazine A vehiclethat the electrification will allow the Nismo brand to return to Europe. “The shape of our high-performance cars in the future is likely to be electrified, not only because of our brand strategy, but also because of the geographic regulations that push us to the that way,” he said.

“Several of our flagship models will have a Nismo version, as this is a way to bring the joy of Nismo cars to more customers,” said the executive.

Nissan hinted at an electric future for the GT-R brand when it unveiled the wild Hyper Force concept last year. Can a production version of this car be brought to the UK? “The fact that it is electric will help: the production of electric sports cars will make it easier for them to enter many limited markets today,” Espinosa replied. “There are a lot of enthusiasts in the UK,” he said.