Chinese premium EV manufacturer NIO has unveiled its new all-electric mid-range sedan named the ET5 at the company’s annual NIO Day in Suzhou, China.
Designed for the mass-market as a direct competitor to the Tesla Model 3, the ET5 “blends performance with the luxury of space and the joy of driving,” said NIO in a statement.
The EV is available exclusively with a twin-motor powertrain, comprising a 201bhp motor on the front axle and a 282bhp motor on the rear axle for a total combined output of 483bhp. This gives it a 0-62mph acceleration of 4.3 seconds.
There are three battery options to choose from: a 75kWh standard range that can do 340 miles on a single charge; a 100kWh long range that does 435 miles; and a 150kWh ultralong range battery that will do 620 miles (1,000km) on China’s CLTC test cycle. That is the biggest range claim yet for a consumer EV, however this is unlikely to be emulated in WLTP testing generally used in Europe or EPA testing used in the USA.
The ET5’s exterior is reminiscent of NIO’s supercar DNA. Its muscular fenders were inspired by the EP9 super sports car and its wider track and sharp-edged shapes underline the car’s sporting intent. To improve aerodynamic efficiency, NIO has installed a ducktail spoiler, flush door handles, frameless windows, and air curtains.
Inside, the ET5 is designed to look like a second living room and was inspired by trends in furniture, fashion, and footwear. To create a bright interior, the sedan comes with a large panoramic glass roof, and to create an atmosphere to match every mood, NIO has fitted a 256-colour ambient lighting system.
There is also plenty of technology. A 12.8in touchscreen and Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 surround sound system come standard with the car, but set to be an “industry first” is the ET5’s PanoCinema. This is a panoramic and immersive digital cockpit that features AR and VR technologies. The manufacturer has partnered with technology firm NREAL to jointly develop AR glasses that project a 201-inch screen six metres in front of the wearer. NIO also jointly developed VR glasses with NOLO that employ ultra-thin “pancake” lenses to create a binocular 4k display effect.
For an £81 monthly subscription, consumers can purchase the latest autonomous driving features. NIO said “the ET5 will gradually achieve a safe and reassuring autonomous driving experience for scenarios such as highways, urban areas, parking and battery swapping.” The car has been built to meet the EURO NCAP safety standards by using an ultra-high-strength steel-aluminium hybrid body.
There are nine paint jobs to choose from with airspace blue being the NIO colour of 2022.
Prices start at £38,935 with deliveries due to begin in Norway in September next year before entering Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark. By 2025, NIO will establish its presence in more than 25 countries worldwide.
William Li, NIO’s founder, chairman and chief executive, said: “The year of 2021 is full of challenges. With a positive and optimistic attitude and outlook, NIO has grown together with its users. In 2022, we will continue to double down on product and technology development, accelerate the deployment of our service network, and enter more markets globally. We are confident about the road ahead.”