Chinese premium electric carmaker NIO has launched two new flagship SUV models – a Coupe-SUV EC7 and a new version of the bigger six-seat ES8 – at its traditional NIO Days event in Hefei, Anhui province, where the company builds its cars in two factories.

It claims the EC7 has the industry’s lowest aerodynamic profile for an SUV, with a wind resistance coefficient of just 0.23 Cd. Both are based on the NT 2.0 platform and feature twin motors with a combined peak power of 480 kW (643 hp) and 850 Nm of torque and estimated ranges up to 900 and 940 km according to the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC) standards.

Active rear spoiler

The EC7 has a sleek design, mimicking the looks of the ET7 and ET5 as much as possible, with a recognizable Shark Nose and a similar rear end as the sedans. In the case of the EC7, the top version of this SUV features an active grille shutter and active rear spoiler to boost aerodynamic performance. This car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, making it NIO’s fastest-accelerating SUV.

The EC7 is NIO’s second Coupe SUV after the (ten-centimeter shorter) EC6, measuring 4,968 x 1,974 x 1,714 mm with a wheelbase of 2,960 mm. The EC6 is based on the older NT 1.0 platform, but more models are expected to launch this year on the second-generation electric drive platform.

According to NIO’s founder, chairman and CEO William Li, the brand would show five new models by the first half of 2023 and will have a line-up of eight models by June. The EC7 will be available in China in three versions with 75 kWh and 100 kWh battery packs at 488 000 yuan (€65 892) to 578 000 yuan (€78 044).

Battery-as-a-Service

But as is the custom at NIO, you can choose the Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) option, with starting prices of 418 000 yuan (€56 440) for both regular versions and 450 000 yuan (€60 761) for the Premiere version. The monthly rental price of the battery is 980 yuan (€132) for the 75 kWh pack and 1 680 yuan (€226) for the bigger one, with six free battery swaps, included.

For that money, you can expect luxury features like NIO’s second-generation digital cockpit with the immersive PanoCinema, N-BOX enhanced infotainment console, the Smart Electrochromic Glass roof, and the new Lounge Seat. The latter offers, besides blowing warm or cold and body massage, the possibility to switch to a horizontal ‘zero-gravity mode’ with a single touch.

The all-new ES8 is NIO’s step-up of the NT 2.0 platform with the boost in performance that comes with it for the sizeable six-seater family SUV. This five-meter-long, boxier design has to sacrifice some of the performance compared to the sleekier EC7.

But with an acceleration sprint to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds and an estimated range of 900 km, you won’t feel embarrassed. As a bonus, you’ll get ten driving modes that give the all-wheel drive SUV some handy off-road features like driving through sand or snow and adjustable height for overcoming obstacles.

The basic version of the new ES8 with the 75-kWh standard range battery lists in China at a starting price of 528 000 yuan (€71 293) and 586 000 (€79 124) for the 100-kWh version. With BaaS, prices are dropping to 458 000 yuan (€61 841). The most expensive Signature version with a 100 kWh battery lists at 638 000 yuan (€86 145).