Nissan announced that the Ariya would be its most aerodynamic SUV to date, with a drag coefficient of only 0.297 cd.
The past few years haven’t been that great for Nissan as the brand has seen sales figures consistently declining. It is now a make-it-or-break-it time for Nissan, and it seems like the Japanese automaker is trying its best to make the Ariya a standout product on the market. Indeed, a drag coefficient of 0.297 cd is surprisingly even better than many sedans out there, but the Nissan Ariya still has that prominent front fascia, which might slightly increase drag.
But how does aerodynamics help cars? Aerodynamic properties are essential to reducing drag, wind noise, and undesired lift forces when they move at high speeds. Suppose the vehicle has efficient aerodynamics, a low drag coefficient and low air resistance. In that case, it will slip through the air more easily, and in turn, the engine would have to apply less power to propel the car, improving its fuel efficiency.
Nissan claims that it could bring the Ariya’s aerodynamic coefficient down to 0.297 cd, thanks to precise body lines and strategically placed air ducts. It is expected that aerodynamics alone might enhance the Ariya’s battery range, scheduled to arrive with two battery packs: 63 kWh and 87 kWh.
When the Ariya was first unveiled in 2020, Nissan said it would have up to 300 miles of range. However, with improvements in aerodynamics, these range figures are likely to improve. However, we’ll have to wait for a confirmation when the production model is launched later this year.
Interestingly, Nissan stated that, even though the Ariya has already received more than 25,000 bookings across Europe, it will be made in Japan instead of the UK. The automaker further underlined that many Americans are also interested in buying the Ariya, although official numbers have not been revealed yet.
Have you booked your Nissan Ariya yet, or are you planning to book one? Do let us know in the comments below.
