Nissan's new single seater concept is powered by the Ariya EV

Nissan's new single seat racer was inspired by Nissan's Formula E cars

Nissan's been releasing a wild lineup of electric concept cars this week as part of their plans to launch more EVs in the coming years. But it seems they're not done yet. The Japanese automaker is back with a new vision for their electric future – the Ariya Single Seater concept.

Yes, it has Ariya in the name, but it looks nothing like the electric crossover. Instead, Nissan says the single-seater racer uses the same powertrain as the Ariya EV. The automaker also describes it as “a high-performance exploration, development, and demonstration project”.

The design of the Ariya Single Seater is heavily inspired by Nissan's very own Formula E cars, specifically the second-generation models. This can be seen by the covered wheel arches and exposed suspension components. There's even a “halo” safety device introduced by the FIA to protect the driver's head in the event of an accident.

It's not all Formula E-inspired, though. Nissan also incorporated some of the brand's signature design language such as the V-shaped grille by running the lights from the nose to the splitter. The overall shape is also smoother for better aerodynamics, similar to the design of the Ariya.

“At Nissan, we dare to do what others don’t. With this concept, we want to showcase the high-performance potential of the Ariya’s powertrain in a motorsports-inspired package that not only hints at the design and styling of the road car that inspired it, but that also demonstrates a new and efficient EV performance language,” said Juan Manuel Hoyos, Nissan global marketing divisional general manager for brand and engagement.

Nissan did not provide information about the Ariya Single Seater's powertrain. However, we suspect it will be the most powerful version available in the electric crossover. For reference, the top-spec dual-motor setup generates a total of 389 horsepower and 600 Nm torque paired with an 87-kWh battery pack and e-FORCE all-wheel drive.

As cool as it is, there is a very slim chance that the Ariya Single Seater will make it to production. But it shows Nissan is working on the possibility of a sporty EV in the coming years.