Ariel E-Nomad concept previews potential lightweight, off-roading EV

Ariel redesigned its Nomad off-roader in July, and a new concept version powered by batteries indicates the British company is considering offering its customers an electric option.

The concept is called the E-Nomad, and it makes its formal debut at the 2024 Cenex Expo taking place on Sept. 4 in the U.K.

Replacing the Nomad’s standard 2.3-liter turbo-4 is a single electric motor mounted at the rear. The motor is housed together with a single-speed transmission and inverter, and delivers a peak 281 hp.

Providing the energy to the motor is a battery from Rockfort Engineering, mounted here vertically behind the seats and with a capacity of 41 kwh. Ariel claims a range of up to 150 miles for the E-Nomad, as measured on the WLTP cycle used overseas. A lower figure would likely result using the stricter EPA cycle.

Thanks to the Nomad’s already light design, coupled with new plant-based composite body panels added to help aerodynamic efficiency, the E-Nomad tips the scales at a low 1,975 pounds. That compares to the gas-powered Nomad’s weight of 1,576 pounds. Acceleration is similar for both models, with the 0-60 mph time coming in at 3.4 seconds.

Ariel said it will continue to develop the concept and gauge customer interest to determine whether a production version should be launched. U.S buyers interested in the gas version of the Nomad can order one today via Ariel North America, which also offers Ariel’s track-focused Atom.

Ariel previously ventured into electrification with the unveiling of the gas turbine-equipped Hipercar series plug-in hybrid in 2022. Borg Warner, the supplier that provided the motor for the E-Nomad, also introduced an electric concept based on the previous-generation Nomad in 2019 but didn’t proceed further.