At the annual “Nio Day”, which is staged with great effort, the Chinese manufacturer is showing two fresh models this year. The EC7 is an SUV coupe that is stylistically based on the Tesla Model Y. Nio gives plenty of power: The electric motor on the rear axle offers 300 kW, the one in front 180. The data sheet promises 3.8 seconds in the standard sprint, the end should only be at 200 km/h. A rear spoiler that can be extended should offer aerodynamic stability.
Sober and generous
The second new product is the next edition of the E-SUV ES8, which has been built since 2018. It uses the same platform as the EC7, and the drive with a total output of 480 kW is also identical. The sprint to 100 km/h should take at least 4.1 seconds. The SUV, the manufacturer promises, should be particularly comfortable. The “unique arrangement of four executive seats and a flexible third row seat” would demonstrate the “sober and spacious style of the Nio ES8 as a flagship SUV,” says the Nio Day leaflet.
Up to 500 kW charging power
The power supply should also convince customers in several respects. On the one hand, the battery is quite decently dimensioned with 100 kWh. Nio speaks of up to 500 kW charging capacity, i.e. significantly more than the currently fastest charging infrastructure in this country can deliver. Another statement should be more interesting and practical: charging from 10 to 80 percent should only take 20 minutes. Extrapolated, Nio promises an average charging capacity of up to 210 kW in this charging window. If that turns out to be even halfway realistic, the two Nio SUVs would have little competition in this regard.
battery changing system
If that doesn’t convince you, Nio wants to pick you up with a battery changing system. The advertising promises that the empty battery will be exchanged for a charged one within a few minutes on long journeys. What such an exchange will cost has not yet been determined. Due to the enormous logistics costs, however, it is to be expected that Nio will either subsidize this service or be fully paid for. In view of the promised loading speed, this will probably only be used by customers who are really in a hurry.
In China, the EC7 will be launched in May, with the ES8 following a month later. The sales opportunities in Europe are currently being evaluated, writes Nio. Before the end of this year, the start of sales in Germany is not expected.
(mfz)
