Nissan's first electric performance car scheduled for Europe: 2025 Nissan Ariya Nismo takes aim at Tesla Model Y Performance, Kia EV6 GT and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Nissan has given its flagship all-electric SUV a comprehensive Nismo performance tune.

Set for a European arrival date of January 2025, the Nismo-tuned Ariya will deliver what the Japanese automaker says is "stunning" on-road performance, coupled with everyday accessibility.

Building on the Ariya e-4orce’s all-wheel drive platform, the Nismo scores a more powerful rear axle motor.

The result is a respectable power increase of 95kW to 320kW total, while torque is static at 600Nm.

That's enough to shoot the Ariya Nismo from 0-100km/h in five seconds which is an improvement of seven tenths.

Nissan does not quote a driving range for the Ariya Nismo, but with bigger wheels and tyres mean it's likely to be lower than the regular car, which has a 497km WLTP rating from its 87kWh battery.

Nissan promises the Ariya Nismo can delivers greater turning and lateral forces than the GT-R Nismo, thanks to a specially-tuned e-4orce system that adjusts the power sent to each wheel upwards of 10,000 times a second.

The more powerful rear motor shifts the drive bias to 40:60 front:rear.

As standard, the Ariya Nismo gets 20-inch ‘NISMO’ embossed cast aluminium Enkei rims that come wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres, delivering increased grip while reducing unsprung mass and promoting brake cooling.

Visually, the Ariya Nismo gets a more aerodynamic look that is both sporty and functional.

Nissan says new double-wing spoilers and air curtains are inspired by Formula E. The result is reduced drag and smoother airflow along the body, while a new front splitter with canards, extended lower bumpers, twin diffuser and ducktail rear spoiler help reduce lift by 40 per cent.

Inside, the Ariya Nismo's interior has been redesigned to provide a more sporty driving experience. The bucket seats are clad in suede-like material and features stitched Nismo logos.

The sporty essence flows through to other interior features, such as a new Nismo digital driver’s display designs, accents through the vehicle’s interior, as well as a new blackened wood texture used for the vehicle’s interior trim.

Pricing for Europe has not yet been disclosed, though a price of over £60,000 ($117,796) in the UK seems likely, given the e-4ORCE is priced at £59,025 ($115,928).

Unfortunately, Nissan hasn't been able to confirm if or when the Ariya or Nismo-tuned Ariya will arrive in Australia.

The brand has not released the Ariya model locally, CarsGuide understands this is due to Australian Design Rules (ADR) that stipulate an extra top-tethering anchor point in the third row for a child’s seat. This requirement is not needed in US and European markets.

The company is pushing strongly for ADR reform to allow what they believe would provide a steadier flow of vehicles into Australia, with Nissan Oceania’s Managing Director Andrew Humberstone outlining the company's position in June.

“For us, the key thing is the speed of being able to bring cars into the country. At the moment the [ADR] process takes about 20 months, and if that process was adjusted we’d be able to get cars much sooner.”