The Dongfeng-made Nissan NX8 is a midsize electric SUV with up to 650km of range
Like other Japanese automakers, Nissan is turning to its joint venture partner, Dongfeng, to help accelerate the development of electric vehicles in China’s highly competitive market. The latest product, the NX8, is a midsize SUV available in two different powertrains: battery electric (BEV) and range-extended (REEV)
First, the EV is available with two different single-motor power outputs of either 292 horsepower (215kW) or 340 horsepower (250kW) and 310Nm of torque.
Battery sizes are either 73kWh or 81kWh CATL battery, with estimated range going as high as 650km (CLTC) on a single charge, and is able to fast charge at up to 463kW, thanks to an 800V electric vehicle architecture, bringing the charge from 10 to 80% in 12 minutes.
As for the range-extended variant, this mates a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine to an electric motor that produces 265 horsepower (195kW) and 310Nm of torque. The battery, which comes in either 20.3, 21.1, or 43.2kWh capacities, allows for either up to 150km or 310km of pure electric range (CLTC), or a combined range figure of 1,320 or 1,450km (CLTC).
It features a sleek, almost seamless design (as with most other EVs) to improve aerodynamics, with a light bar at the front separating the lower headlights. The hump on top is for the LiDAR sensors, which assist with the advanced driver assistance suite that features self-driving capabilities.
Wheels are either 19-inch low-drag multi-spoke alloys or the 20-inch N-shaped sports wheels, and the taillights utilize OLED technology, which allows them to display images and text to other drivers behind you.
The interior is also a huge step forward with a wrap-around dashboard with boatloads of ambient lighting, a dual 15.6-inch infotainment screen that extends to the passenger side, a 25-speaker surround sound system, a compartment that allows you to either heat or cool your food or drinks, and a large heads-up display.
The Nappa leather upholstery can be found on the seats, which feature the AI Zero Gravity Seat 2.0 tech. Basically, the first and second row seats come with massaging functionality, a large recline angle to utilize most of the space, heating and ventilation, and anti-motion sickness measures.
Nissan also boasts the highest rear interior height in its class at 1,285mm, allowing children to easily stand up and change clothes, alongside a rear luggage capacity of 773L behind the second row seats that’s further expanded by a hidden 73L under-floor storage, and a 95L front trunk.
What’s interesting is that the NX8 (alongside other Dongfeng-developed electric vehicles) will eventually make it to other markets globally, as Ivan Espinosa, Nissan’s CEO, said that it will be leveraging these products to be introduced in other markets. Would you consider getting this over the Ariya, a global product, which for some reason, still hasn’t arrived on our shores despite being teased multiple times?
Photos from Dongfeng Nissan
