The landscape of Chinese startups pushing into the EV market has become a bit difficult to navigate. One company after another shows up, makes some headlines, then seems to falter. The list of companies that have created something substantive is short, but Nio, formerly NextEV, figures prominently on that list. Its initial claim to fame was the record-breaking EP9 supercar, which was largely developed in the U.K.
Nio has now launched its first series production car, the ES8. It’s another EV, but it features much more conventional proportions. It’s a three-row crossover, and its length and wheelbase mirror the Audi Q7?s almost exactly. The design language is modern, with the headlights executed as slim strips, and its taillights recall the BMW i8’s. The aluminum structure and body were developed with the Austro-Canadian supplier Magna.
The seven-seat interior is equally modern; it’s dominated by horizontal lines and features an elevated center console. The driver faces a digital instrument screen and a head-up display, and the center console features a large vertically oriented screen. The front passenger seat can extend into a veritable lounge chair.
Nio aims to offer artificial intelligence in its cars, and these functions are symbolized by a cutesy sphere that is called Nomi (“know me”). It aims to be a “companion that listens to the driver and passengers, that talks to them and helps them.” We hear that the ES8 also aims ...