Negli ultimi anni la NIO ha vissuto alti e bassi, dal record per auto elettriche conquistato al Nurburgring con la cattivissima sportiva elettrica EP9 ai recenti guai finanziari che sembravano condurla verso la chiusura. Oggi la Casa cinese ha superato la crisi ed è concentrata sullo sviluppo di nuovi modelli. Lo ha annunciato William Li, Ceo del brand, durante il NIO Day, meeting annuale che si è tenuto il 28 dicembre e che ha visto la partecipazione di oltre 10.000 persone.
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Batterie sempre più efficienti
La prima buona notizia data da Li ha riguardato le batterie. Per la seconda volta in due anni la Casa è riuscita a progettarle con maggiore capacità ma con pari dimensioni esterne. Questa cosa ha un valore duplice se si pensa che la NIO offre ai propri clienti la possibilità di sostituire le batterie delle proprie vetture. In questo modo, il "packaging" esterno resterà compatibile per tutti i modelli prodotti, migliorando le prestazioni.
Un SUV in continua evoluzione
La SUV ES8, ad esempio, quando è stato introdotto nel 2018, aveva batterie da 74 kWh. Nel 2019 il modello è stato aggiornato con una batteria da 80 kWh. nel 2020 la stessa vettura sarà offerta con una batteria da 100 kWh e questa stessa batteria, a richiesta (con un esborso di meno di 5.000 euro per l'acquisto o un canone mensile di circa 100 euro per il noleggio), sarà possibile montarla su tutte le ES8 prodotte fino a oggi.
Restando sul tema ES8, inoltre, la Casa ha annunciato una serie di altre migliorie. Oltre al restyling, la versione 2020 sarà dotata anche di un nuovo sistema di ricarica a corrente alternata da 20 kW da usare attaccato alla rete domestica (che a differenza di quanto accade in Italia può essere facilmente potenziata senza grossi incrementi di costi).
In questo modo la ES8 sarà molto appetibile per tanti clienti che potranno ricaricare a casa in relativamente poco tempo anche una batteria con grande capacità. Oltretutto che la ES8 è offerta sul mercato interno a un prezzo competitivo (tra i 60.000 e gli 80.000 euro circa) che permette all'auto di piazzarsi sotto i modelli premium come la Tesla Model X, Audi e-tron o Mercedes EQC ma, allo stesso tempo, di avere un posizionamento sul mercato più alto di tanti concorrenti interni, BYD o Xpeng Motors su tutte.
La gamma si allarga
Durante la serata è stato annunciato anche l'arrivo di un terzo modello in gamma (il quarto se si vuole contare anche la supercar EP9, di cui ne esistono solo 6 esemplari). A fianco della già citata ES8 e della "sorella minore" ES6, infatti, arriverà un crossover compatto chiamato EC6 che arriverà nel 2020. Anch'esso sarà completamente elettrico e anch'esso monterà la batteria da 100 kWh degli altri modelli che garantirà un'autonomia di circa 600 km (NEDC).
L'auto avrà prestazioni brillanti, con uno 0-100 coperto in 4"7. Nulla è stato svelato riguardo alla meccanica, ma si pensa che l'auto possa avere lo stesso powertrain della ES6, che ha 2 motori elettrici, trazione integrale, 430 CV di potenza e 610 Nm di coppia.
News Release – For Immediate Release
December 28, 2019
Shenzhen, China
Believe in Better
NIO Day 2019 in Shenzhen
● NIO and users explore, create, grow and share joy together
● The battery pack capacity is improved annually to enable users to flexibly upgrade on demand, thereby making “Battery as a Service”
● The new 100kWh liquid-cooled thermostatic battery pack enables 600km+ NEDC range
● NIO releases the all-new flagship smart SUV ES8 with longer range
● The young, dynamic and progressive EC6, NIO's first smart electric coupe SUV, makes its global debut
● NIO Life and Tom Dixon, one of the most innovative designers, partner to launch the “Tube” travel series
On December 28, 2019, NIO Day 2019 Believe in Better was held at Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. Over 7,300 NIO users and guests attended, and also tens of millions of people participated through 55 parallel sessions or online broadcast.
On the event, NIO released the 100kWh liquid-cooled thermostatic battery pack and 20kW DC Power Home. Deliveries of 100kWh battery pack are estimated to begin in 2020 Q4, thereby achieving a 600+km NEDC range. Flexible battery pack upgrade has always been a real demand for most users. Since the launching of the 70kWh battery pack in 2018, NIO has upgraded its battery capacity every year to satisfy users’ demands, thereby making “Battery as a Service.”
NIO released the all-new flagship smart electric SUV ES8. Featuring a 160kW permanent magnet motor and a 240kW induction motor with an intelligent electric all-wheel-drive system, the all-new ES8 holds up to 544hp and 725Nm under the hood, boasting high performance and long range. With the 100kWh liquid-cooled thermostatic battery pack, the all-new ES8 has an NEDC range of up to 580km, a major improvement in range performance.
The sharper and more modern look of the all-new ES8 inherits and also revamps the NIO family design language. In terms of interior design and texture improvement, the digital cockpit is upgraded to a 9.8-inch ultra-slim IC and an 11.3-inch HD multi-touch center display. The NOMI Mate 2.0 features an industry-first circular AMOLED display, with much larger active display area and improved experience. Additionally, the all-new ES8 comes with some advanced features such as smart charging port cover and NFC key card.
The all-new ES8 is now available on NIO app. The delivery is expected to begin in April 2020.
NIO’s third production model – the smart electric coupe SUV EC6 – made its debut. With the coupe body design, the vehicle drag coefficient is lowered to 0.27Cd. EC6 features a 2.1m2 all-glass roof. The EC6 Performance Version is equipped with a 160kW PM motor and a 240kW induction motor, and goes from standstill to 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds. With the 100kWh liquid-cooled thermostatic battery pack, the EC6 Performance Version boasts an NEDC range of up to 615km. It is estimated that NIO will announce the prices and specs of EC6 in July 2020 and begin the delivery in September.
With the support of our users, NIO community is thriving. Over 16,000 user events have been held this year where users have shared their joy and growth. NIO users were also deeply involved in the planning, directing and execution of NIO Day 2019. On the NIO Day, users in Shenzhen voluntarily organized a fleet to pick up users and guests from across the country at the airport and train stations. User volunteers were everywhere on site. It is users’ great passion and rally power for the brand that has echoed with NIO’s vision to be a user enterprise.
In 2019, NIO Life, the original lifestyle brand under NIO, has launched over 800 products. This time, it partners with Tom Dixon, one of the most innovative designers, to launch the “Tube” travel series.
Since June 2018, NIO has delivered over 30,000 vehicles. In November 2019, the sales of NIO ES6 was the top ten among sales of premium midsize SUVs in China for the third consecutive month.
Over the past five years since its inception, NIO’s constant investment in the product and technology has gained worldwide recognition. In the Inaugural China New Energy Vehicle Experience Index (NEVXI) Study released by J.D. Power in August 2019, NIO ranked highest in NEV new-vehicle quality among all brands, and its ES8 ranked highest in the midsize/large BEV segment. In EuroCarBody 2019 held in October, NIO won the third place in the premium segment. In December, NIO won the 10th place in the Top 10 Most Innovative Global Premium Brands in the 2019 Annual Innovation Report released by the Center of Automotive Management (CAM), highest among all Chinese brands.
By December 28, 2019, NIO has 66 stores nationwide, including 22 NIO Houses and 44 NIO Spaces. The sales network has covered 49 cities across the country.
“After five years of rapid growth, NIO has become more mature in corporate operations, product quality, sales performance, and user experience. We are very confident about the upcoming 2020.” said William Li, founder, chairman and CEO of NIO.
About NIO Inc.
NIO Inc. is a pioneer in China’s premium electric vehicle market. Founded in November 2014, NIO’s mission is to shape a joyful lifestyle by offering premium smart electric vehicles and being the best user enterprise. NIO has established R&D centers and manufacturing facilities in Shanghai, Beijing, San Jose, Munich, London and five other places. NIO has initially set up the user service network with nationwide coverage in China. In 2015, NIO Formula E team won the inaugural FIA Formula E Drivers’ Championship; in 2016, NIO launched EP9, one of the world’s fastest electric vehicles, which broke the lap records and the world’s autonomous driving records in global-famous tracks like the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 2017, NIO unveiled the vision car EVE. NIO began deliveries of the ES8, a high-performance flagship smart electric SUV in China on June 28, 2018. On September 12, 2018, NIO went public on NYSE. NIO officially launched the ES6, a smart electric all-around SUV, on December 15, 2018 and began the first deliveries of the ES6 on June 18, 2019.
Official Website: NIO.com
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Contact:
Yan WANG
yanwang1@nio.com
Chengcheng WEI
chengcheng.wei@bluefocus.com