Nissan Ariya is a long-range electric SUV concept with a real future

This is the Nissan Ariya Concept, an all-electric SUV. Its name is pronounced like the operatic term.

This handsome crossover shows off an evolution of Nissan's design language that the company calls "Timeless Japanese Futurism."

Despite looking like it's about the size of the current  in pictures, with an overall length of 181 inches, the Ariya Concept is actually slightly shorter than today's . 

The fact that the Ariya doesn't have a name that's a three-letter sequence is worth noting: Nissan's IM nomenclature denotes future-thinking concepts -- when a concept gets an actual name, it signifies that it's closer to production.

Other telltales that this vehicle is production-bound are realistically sized wheels (21 inches) and side mirrors, plus a greenhouse profile that's sized to accommodate actual human beings. 

The fact that the Ariya doesn't have a name that's a three-letter sequence is worth noting: Nissan's IM nomenclature denotes future-thinking concepts -- when a concept gets an actual name, it signifies that it's closer to production.

If any of it looks familiar, you may be thinking of the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show's IMx Concept, a show car whose avant-garde design led directly to the vehicle seen here. 

Despite the absence of a traditional grille (the plastic shield deftly hides a number of driver-assist sensors), there's plenty of surface interest to hold the eye, including matte copper accents on the wheels and most noticeably, outlining the roof shape. 

We should see the Ariya -- or something very close to it -- in Nissan showrooms soon.

The centerpiece of the SUV's cabin is a new 12.3-inch widescreen display, which is acted upon with a multifunction control knob and haptic touch controls. 

In a nod to the movement to offer alternative upholstery materials other than cloth or leather, the Ariya's cabin features synthetic leathers that play against satin-finish copper-colored aluminum trim accents. 

Keep clicking or scrolling for more photos of the Nissan Ariya concept.