Nio reveals high-powered luxury sedan with 700 horsepower and 3-minute battery swap

The Nio ET9 is positioned as a direct competitor to popular electric vehicles like the Tesla Model S, Mercedes-Benz EQS, and BMW i7, as well as traditional internal combustion engine vehicles like the S-Class and 7-Series. It features a cutting-edge 900V architecture and delivers nearly 700 horsepower, making it a powerful and high-performance vehicle. The ET9 is set to launch in the Chinese market next year, with the first deliveries scheduled for early 2025.

In terms of design, the Nio ET9 challenges traditional categorizations, blurring the lines between coupe-crossovers and sedans. This is evident in its sleek and unique design, as well as its surprisingly high ground clearance for a large sedan.

The ET9 features a distinctive coupe-like roofline and incorporates Nio’s signature design elements. The front end boasts slim headlights, while the rear end draws inspiration from the Jaguar F-Type and Porsche Taycan. The dimensions of the ET9 are impressive, with a length of 5,324 mm, a width of 2,016 mm, a height of 1,620 mm, and a long wheelbase of 3,250 mm.

The ET9 also includes several notable features, such as hidden door handles, an active rear wing that can retract, and striking 23-inch multispoke wheels with an emblem design reminiscent of Rolls-Royce. Additionally, Nio claims that the ET9 is the only vehicle in its segment to have a touchless power-operated front trunk.

While Nio has not revealed much about the dashboard design, they have highlighted the luxurious rear passenger compartment. The ET9 prioritizes comfort for rear-seat occupants, offering adjustable reclining seats with a maximum angle of up to 45 degrees. The rear seat cushion has a width of 582mm and can be adjusted in 11 different ways using a single button. Additionally, the vehicle features 7 electric sunshades that can be easily activated with a single press.

Other amenities include an 8-inch tablet-style screen placed between the front seats, a smart opening and closing refrigerator, and two 14.5-inch AMOLED screens mounted on the front seatbacks. The ET9 replaces the traditional instrument cluster with a head-up display system and a 15.6-inch tablet-style AMOLED screen on the center console. Furthermore, Nio mentions a collapsible steering wheel that can be folded into the dashboard when the smart control function is activated.

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

Beneath its sleek exterior, the ET9 is built on Nio’s third-generation platform, utilizing a groundbreaking 900V architecture, which is the first of its kind in China. This architecture allows for fast charging with a peak power of 600kW and a peak current of 765A. Nio claims that the 120kWh battery pack, consisting of 46,105 cells, can be charged to extend the range by an additional 255km in just 5 minutes. The ET9 also supports battery swapping in only 3 minutes, a feature shared with other Nio models.

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

The ET9 is powered by 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). Combined, these motors generate a total power output of 520 kW or 697 horsepower.

While Nio has not announced plans to offer the ET9 in global markets, the vehicle is currently available for pre-order in China, with deliveries expected in the first quarter of 2025. The starting price is 800,000 RMB (approximately 2.7 billion VND). Early pre-order customers will receive benefits such as discounts ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 RMB (approximately 17 – 34 million VND) and up to 100 hours of complimentary driver service.

Son Pham (Forum.autodaily.vn)