Nio ET7: Powerful Electric Sedan

Nio seems to have handled the interim turbulence well and is now presenting the production version of the ET7, its first non-SUV. In China, the electric all-wheel-drive sedan is expected to be delivered from the first quarter of 2022 and can be pre-ordered immediately. Briefly, the facts: In terms of dimensions, the ET7 clearly belongs to the luxury class, where the BMW 7 Series and others park: It measures 5,098 mm x 1,987 mm x 1,505 mm and offers a long wheelbase of 3,060 mm.

The coupe design includes frameless windows, self-closing doors with electrically extendable door handles, a smart air suspension that analyzes the route, and a braking system with components from Brembo. Like the Tesla Model 3, a large glass roof should bring in a lot of light – it measures 1.9 square meters. The ET7 concept was designed in Munich, and the production version now comes slightly more "pragmatically." Particularly striking is the minimalist interior design dominated by two screens: a 10.2-inch instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch central display – the sedan roughly follows the SUVs here. Also notable are the smart, well-hidden air vents. In terms of connectivity, the ET7 offers voice control, 5G, and V2X communication. All seats feature seat heating and a massage function. And Nio is also jumping on the sustainability bandwagon with materials. A new sound system with 23 speakers is intended to provide a good sound experience.

Powerful Drive, Low Drag Coefficient

The ET7 offers a lot of power and performance: Nio cites 480 kW and 850 Nm of torque, rear-biased, because the motor on the front axle offers 180 kW and the one on the rear axle 300 kW. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h is said to be completed in 3.9 seconds. For the ET7, Nio also plans three battery options: In addition to the 70 and 100 kWh options, there will be a 150 kWh version, and the ranges are impressive: Nio mentions 500, 700, and 1,000 kilometers, albeit according to the unrealistic NEDC test cycle. In reality, depending on consumption, we expect around 300, 500, and about 700 kilometers plus and not minus x – since Nio is now also among the efficient brands. Good aerodynamics also contribute to this: Nio specifies the drag coefficient at 0.23. For comparison: The Tesla Model 3 also offers a favorable 0.24. Unfortunately, no statements were made about the charging capabilities at the "NIO Day," where the new flagship was presented.

With the new sensor system, the ET7 is expected to make the leap from assisted to autonomous driving. The basis for this is a self-developed, particularly high-resolution lidar sensor mounted centrally on the front of the roof, covering a field of view of 120 degrees, and supported by two cameras on the left and right. These three are clearly visible but are only part of a total of 33 monitoring elements, including other cameras, radars, and ultrasonic sensors. The complete system generates up to eight gigabytes of data per second, which are processed by a new computer system. The overall system has been dubbed "Nio Autonomous Driving," or NAD for short.

Affordable and Thoughtful Prices

The prices for the ET7 are surprisingly affordable: Nio offers the option of purchasing or renting the battery for the ET7 in China, as it does with its other models. The version with a 70-kWh battery costs 448,000 Yuan before subsidies (almost 57,000 Euros). If you rent the battery, the ET7 only costs 378,000 Yuan (around 48,000 Euros), and the battery rental costs an additional 980 Yuan per month, which is approximately 124 Euros extra. For the version with a 100-kWh battery, Nio charges 506,000 Yuan (around 64,000 Euros) or 378,000 Yuan (around 48,000 Euros) without the battery. In this case, a monthly battery rental fee of 1,480 Yuan, which is around 187 Euros, applies. Of course, the ET7 also launches in a "Premier Edition": With the large 100 kWh battery and plenty of special features, including Nappa Premium interior, 20-inch performance tires, and Nio's digital assistant Nomi Mate 2.0. It costs 526,000 Yuan (around 66,500 Euros) or 398,000 Yuan (just over 50,000 Euros) without the battery, plus a monthly battery rental fee of 1,480 Yuan (around 187 Euros). Additionally, the Nio Autonomous Driving System will be available by subscription, costing 680 Yuan monthly, which is around 86 Euros. The company announces bonuses for early pre-orders. Vehicles will be delivered starting from the first quarter of 2022 in the order of pre-order placement. Interesting for fleets and corporate customers: ET7 owners can expect a free wallbox and several lifetime services (maintenance, battery exchange, free connectivity, etc.).

The 150kWh Version Will Follow Later: Possibly with a Solid-State Battery

Nio has not yet announced a price for the upcoming 150-kWh variant, as it is not yet available for pre-order. More exciting, however, is Nio's announcement of a solid-state battery with an energy density of 360 Wh/kg.

What Does That Mean?

With the ET7, Nio is once again making a significant developmental leap forward – we can only hope that exports begin soon: The systems and data are promising, and as of January 2021, the ET 7 is at the forefront of large electric premium sedans. So, please start exporting to Europe from 2022!