EV start-up NIO launches its new SUV ES6 in China

NIO Inc., a pioneer in China’s premium electric vehicle market, launched the NIO ES6 during the annual NIO Day celebration. This high-performance long-range electric SUV starts at a pre-subsidy price of RMB358,000 ($50,120), and is available for pre-order via the NIO app, with delivery to start in June 2019.

The NIO ES6 features dual motors in conjunction with an intelligent electric all-wheel-drive system delivering output power of up to 400 kW (544 hp), peak torque of 725 Nm and 0-100 km/h acceleration in as little as 4.7 seconds. The ES6 boasts excellent braking performance, decelerating from 100-0 km/h in just 33.9 metres.

High-performance independent suspension, Continuous Damping Control (CDC), intelligent electric all-wheel drive come standard, and users also have the option of equipping vehicle with next-gen active air suspension. Drivers can also switch between multiple driving modes, bringing a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

The ES6 sports the only body design with a hybrid structure of aluminum alloy and carbon fiber in its class. It's composed of 91% aluminum throughout the vehicle, with innovative use of aircraft-grade 7 Series aluminum. Structural elements made of high-strength carbon fiber make the ES6 lighter and more solid. An overall torsional stiffness of 44,930 Nm/degree is the highest among production SUVs globally.

The ES6 is equipped with a combination of permanent magnet and induction motors, which allows for power and endurance alike. The front permanent magnet motor delivers power of up to 160 kW, peak torque of 305 Nm and an energy conversion rate of 97%; the rear induction motor delivers 240 kW and 420 Nm and contributes to fast acceleration.

The 84-kWh liquid-cooled thermostatic battery pack, optional across the range, features NCM 811 cathode material and energy density of up to 170 Wh/kg.

The ES6 features a lightweight design with a drag coefficient Cd of only 0.28 which both contribute to a combined range of up to 510 km.

As NIO Power continues to expand, the combination of home charging, mobile charging vehicles, battery swap stations and the One Touch Charging service will further ease user concerns in regards to range.

The NIO digital cockpit built on the NOMI in-car artificial intelligence (AI) system is integrated with a speech-based interactive system. An upgraded HUD, digital instrument cluster and 11.3 inch second-generation multitouch screen put all vehicle information at the users' fingertips.

ES6 features pre-installed NIO Pilot hardware, including a Mobileye EyeQ4 chip and 23 sensors. NIO Pilot supports over 20 functions covering typical scenarios of car use in China. Functions can be upgraded over time via firmware-over-the-air (FOTA).

The ES6 is equipped with Lion, a high-performance intelligent gateway enabling data exchange and remote upgrading via FOTA. Additionally, the Dragon security architecture offers a matrix-like firewall to enhance data security and protect user privacy.