Nio unveils luxury sedan with 700 horsepower, 3-minute battery swap

"Positioned as a competitor to the Tesla Model S and BMW i7, the new ET9 model boasts a nearly 700 horsepower output, with prices starting at $112,800 and availability commencing in 2025."

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Positioned to compete with rivals such as the Tesla Model S, Mercedes-Benz EQS, BMW i7, as well as ICE competitors like the S-Class and 7-Series, the ET9 brings a new 900V architecture, packing nearly 700 horsepower under the hood. The model is expected to hit the Chinese market next year, with the first deliveries expected in early 2025.

Like Nio’s smaller EC7, the ET9 challenges the traditional distinctions between coupe-crossovers and sedans. This is evident not only in its design but also in its surprisingly high ground clearance for a large sedan.

The ET9 features a coupe-like roofline, retaining Nio’s signature design elements. This includes slim headlights at the front and a rear end that seems inspired by the Jaguar F-Type and Porsche Taycan. In terms of dimensions, the ET9 measures 5,324 mm in length, 2,016 mm in width, and 1,620 mm in height, with a long wheelbase of 3,250 mm.

Other notable features include hidden door handles, active rear wing that can retract, and 23-inch multispoke wheels with an emblem design reminiscent of Rolls-Royce that stays upright while the car is in motion. Furthermore, Nio claims that the ET9 has the only touchless power-operated front trunk in its segment.

Nio has yet to reveal much about the dashboard design, but they have shared luxurious details about the rear passenger compartment. It is clear that the emphasis is on pampering the rear-seat occupants. The ET9’s business class rear seats have an adjustable recline angle of up to 45 degrees, a seat cushion width of 582mm, and 11 adjustments controlled by a single button. Furthermore, to enhance the feeling of luxury, the vehicle also has 7 electric sunshades that can be activated with a single press of a button.

Among other amenities are an 8-inch tablet-style screen placed between the seats, a smart opening and closing refrigerator, and two 14.5-inch AMOLED screens mounted on the front seatbacks. Instead of a traditional instrument cluster, the ET9 employs a head-up display system and a 15.6-inch tablet-style AMOLED screen on the center console. Nio also mentions a collapsible steering wheel that can fold into the dashboard when the smart control function is activated.

In terms of safety and technology, the ET9 is equipped with 3 lidar sensors, including one in the center and two high-resolution cameras on the front edges of the roof. In addition, the car features digital rearview mirrors.

Underneath its sleek exterior, the ET9 is built on Nio’s third-generation platform, with a 900V architecture, the first in China, operating at the highest voltage of 925V. This enables fast charging with a peak power of 600kW and a peak current of 765A. According to Nio, this allows for ultra-fast charging of the 120kWh battery pack with 46,105 cells, extending the range by an additional 255km in just 5 minutes of charging. Like other Nio products, the ET9 also supports battery swapping in just 3 minutes.

The ET9 is equipped with Nio’s Sky Ride, Nio’s intelligent chassis system, which includes an electric drive axle, rear-wheel drive with a maximum angle of 8.3 degrees. The car also has a fully active suspension system, where each shock absorber is independently controlled by a dedicated hydraulic pump, and according to Nio, this system is more advanced than the one used in the new third-generation Porsche Panamera.

Powering the ET9 are two electric motors: an asynchronous motor at the front producing 180 kW (241 horsepower) and a permanent magnet synchronous motor at the rear producing 340 kW (456 horsepower). Together, they generate a combined power of 520 kW or 697 horsepower.

While Nio hasn’t disclosed plans to offer the ET9 in other markets, the car is currently available for pre-order in China with deliveries expected in Q1 2025. The starting price is 800,000 RMB (about 2.7 billion VND at the current exchange rate). Early ET9 pre-order customers will enjoy some benefits, including discounts of 5,000 to 10,000 RMB (17 – 34 million VND) and up to 100 hours of complimentary driver service.

Sơn Phạm (Forum.autodaily.vn)

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