NIO’s electric vehicle push continues as the company has unveiled the new ES7. Designed to slot between the ES6 and ES8, the brand’s latest electric crossover is their fastest to date as well as their first to sport the “Design for AD” philosophy. Speaking of the latter, the mid-size crossover has an expressive shark nose front fascia that is adorned with “double-dash” LED daytime running lights. Further below, there’s prominent headlights and a sizable intake.
They’re joined by plastic body cladding,
flush-mounted door handles, and acoustic laminated glass. The ES7 also sports a
sloping roof and “air wing” taillights that help to showcase the model’s width.
The latter consist of 202 crystal-cut LED modules that are “individually
controlled to compose sophisticated and smooth sweeps resembling flapping
wings.”
In terms of size, the ES7 measures 4,912 mm long, 1,987 mm wide, and 1,720 mm tall with a wheelbase that spans 2,960 mm. To put those numbers
into perspective, the crossover is 161 mm longer than the Tesla
Model Y and also has a 70 mm longer wheelbase. It’s also worth
noting the ES7’s wheelbase is nearly on par with the Tesla Model X, despite
being significantly shorter overall. The interior is billed as a “second living
room” and the company isn’t kidding about that as the ES7 has an interesting
PanoCinema system. It uses specially developed augmented reality glasses to
project a 201-inch ‘screen’ at a distance of 6 meters.
Elsewhere, there’s a digital instrument
cluster, a 12.8-inch AMOLED infotainment system, and a head-up display. The
model also has a personal assistant, known as NOMI, which resides on the dash
and features digital eyes. Other notable highlights include a floating center
console, karuun rattan wood trim, a Dolby Atmos surround sound system, and a
256-color ambient lighting system. Customers can also opt for “coffee shell
tanned Nappa leather,” which is free from traditional chemicals while also
sporting a unique “herbal scent.” On the topic of seats, there’s heating,
ventilation, and massage up front as well as heated rear seats with a power-adjustable
backrest that tilts between 23° and 31°.
On the performance front, the ES7 features
a dual-motor all-wheel drive system that produces a combined maximum output of
644 hp and 850 Nm of torque. This enables the
crossover to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in as little as 3.9 seconds
when in Sport+ mode. Furthermore, customers will have a choice between three
different battery packs. The entry-level 75 kWh unit will deliver 485 km of range, while the 100 kWh Long Range Battery increases the distance
to 620 km. If that isn’t far enough, the aptly named 150 kWh
Ultra-Long Range Battery provides 850 km of stamina.
Besides the impressive powertrain, the ES7
come standard with an air suspension and four-piston Brembo front calipers. The
model also boasts adaptive dampers, a 50:50 weight distribution, and up to ten
different drive modes. The ES7 promises to be an ideal camping partner as it
can tow 2,000 kg and provide up to 3.3 kW of power for accessories
such as a coffee machine, a portable speaker, or a small refrigerator. The
model also comes with a Camping Mode, which keeps the climate control system
operating so you can enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep in your car.
As you’ve probably noticed, the ES7 is
outfitted with 33 sensing units including an ultra-long range LiDAR, seven 8MP
high-resolution cameras, four 3MP light-sensitive cameras, five millimeter-wave
radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors. These support NIO’s latest autonomous
driving system, which promises to eventually allow for a “point-to-point
autonomous driving experience” on highways as well as in urban areas.
Pricing starts at ¥ 468,000 (US$ 69,710 /
£ 57,244 / € 66,706) for models equipped with the 75 kWh battery, while
crossovers with the larger 100 kWh battery will begin at ¥ 526,000 (US$ 78,349 /
£ 64,333 / € 74,973). NIO is currently accepting pre-orders via their app and
deliveries are slated to begin on August 28th.
