Summary
- Ariel may be developing an electric off-roader called the E-Nomad
- The E-Nomad concept features a 41-kwh battery and 150 miles of range
- It replaces the gasoline engine with an electric motor producing 281 hp and 361 lb-ft of torque
- The body panels are made from sustainable material and reduce aerodynamic drag by 30%
- Ariel is monitoring customer interest and testing the E-Nomad, with a possibility of production and U.S. availability
Article
British automaker Ariel has electrified its minimalist Nomad off-roader with the unveiling of the E-Nomad concept. The concept swaps the vehicle’s small gasoline engine for an electric motor and battery pack, while incorporating body panels made from sustainable material. The Nomad is an off-road version of the Ariel Atom, with both cars being based on tube frame chassis with wheels attached. The E-Nomad concept is based on the redesigned Ariel Nomad 2 and features a rear-mounted electric motor producing 281 hp and 361 lb-ft of torque, capable of matching the gasoline version’s best 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds.
The E-Nomad concept is powered by a 41-kwh battery pack made up of pouch cells, offering an estimated 150 miles of range based on European WLTP testing. The battery pack features a dedicated heater for pre-conditioning in cold weather and can be charged to 20-80% in approximately 25 minutes using a CCS DC fast-charging connector. The E-Nomad also boasts a roof and more-enclosed body sides than the production Nomad, helping to reduce aerodynamic drag by 30%. The body panels are made from flax, which Ariel claims is lighter than carbon fiber and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 73%.
Ariel has experimented with electrification in the past, unveiling the gas-turbine range-extended Hipercar in 2022. The company has not made a final decision on whether to sell the E-Nomad to customers but is continuing testing and monitoring customer interest. If the E-Nomad goes into production, there is a chance it will be available in the U.S., as Ariel has imported its gasoline Nomad and Atom previously. The E-Nomad could potentially serve as a wilder alternative to the Rivian R3 and R3X, which are also designed for off-road capabilities.
The E-Nomad concept offers a unique combination of off-road performance and sustainable materials, making it a potential competitor in the electric off-road vehicle market. With the increasing interest in electric vehicles and off-road capabilities, the E-Nomad could appeal to customers looking for a high-performance, environmentally friendly off-road option. Ariel is closely monitoring customer interest and testing the E-Nomad to determine if it will go into production and potentially reach the U.S. market. As the automotive industry continues to shift towards electric powertrains, the E-Nomad concept represents Ariel’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in off-road vehicles.
Read the full article here
