Nissan Ariya Single Seater Concept unveiled

Nissan has showcased the Ariya Single Seater Concept, expressing its vision for an electric future.

Revealed just days after the Japanese manufacturer debuted four electric concept vehicles, the Ariya Single Seater Concept was presented at the Nissan Futures event this week. The brand says it has been designed to demonstrate the potential of the powertrain underneath the all-electric Ariya crossover when placed into a bespoke race-focused chassis.

The concept borrows design cues from second-generation Formula E cars, a sport which Nissan has been involved in since 2018, and – perhaps unsurprisingly – features a single-seat body with elements intended to emulate the production Ariya.

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This includes an illuminated V-shaped panel running down the front splitter, as well as the same black-and-bronze finish shown on images of the family SUV when it was launched.

The rear wheels have been covered – likely to improve aerodynamics – while elements of the suspension are visible. A protruding ‘halo’ safety device, first introduced by the FIA for Formula 1 and Formula E racers to protect drivers’ heads, is also included to replicate the racing series.

No specifications for the Ariya Single Seater have been released, however it is most likely powered by the regular model's flagship all-wheel drive configuration, which pairs two electric motors with a 90kWh battery pack to produce 290kW of power and 560Nm of torque.

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In the electric SUV, 0-100km/h is claimed to take 5.1 seconds, with the sprint likely to be noticeably quicker in the Single Seater Concept thanks to its slimmer, low-slung body.

The Ariya Single Seater Concept joins the sporty Nissan Max-Out unveiled earlier this week, a two-seater convertible with retro 1970s' styling, as the brand looks towards developing sportscars in an electric future.

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With Nissan planning to launch 23 electrified products before 2030 – 15 of which will be all-electric – the company will invest approximately $24.6 billion in EV development over the next five years.

Also previewed was the Nissan Chill-Out, based on the same CMF-EV platform as the Ariya, the Surf-Out dual-cab ute and spacious Hang-Out concepts.