Ariel is known for its commitment to creating lightweight and fast cars, and they have successfully carried that ethos over to their latest concept, the Ariel E-Nomad. Despite the challenges of maintaining a light weight with electric vehicles, Ariel has managed to preserve the featherweight character and high performance of their off-roader while converting it to electron power.
Compared to its gas-powered counterpart, the E-Nomad has gained some weight, but it still remains under a ton at 1,975 pounds. The car is equipped with a liquid-cooled Borg Warner motor, developed by Cascadia Motion, that produces 281 horsepower, which is around 20 more than the base Nomad 2’s Ford engine. Additionally, it offers an impressive 80 more pound-feet of torque at 361. With this extra power, the E-Nomad can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, matching the performance of the Nomad 2.
The E-Nomad is powered by a battery pack created by Rockfort Engineering. This 450-volt pack has a capacity of 41-kWh and features its own heating and cooling system, ensuring optimal battery performance and longevity. Weighing in at 661 pounds, the battery pack is situated behind the driver and passenger seats. Ariel claims that the E-Nomad has a respectable range of 150 miles and can recharge from 20% to 80% state of charge in just 25 minutes, thanks to its DC fast charging system.
To further enhance the E-Nomad’s range, Ariel has incorporated lightweight body panels, developed by Bamd Composites, that are not found on the Nomad 2. These panels are made from flax fibers and weigh 9% less than equivalent carbon fiber panels. What’s more, they are manufactured with 73% fewer carbon dioxide emissions and are recyclable. These panels also reduce drag by an impressive 30% compared to the Nomad 2, contributing to the E-Nomad’s efficiency.
Unfortunately, at the moment, the E-Nomad is only a concept. Ariel has expressed that they will be gauging the reaction to the car to determine whether it should go into production. However, the concept has garnered excitement and interest, inspiring hope that the E-Nomad will eventually hit the market. We eagerly anticipate the positive reaction and the opportunity to experience this impressive electric off-roader firsthand.