The ES8 receives an evolutionary redesign that features a streamlined front fascia, soft curves, and a more minimalist greenhouse. They’re joined by an elegant rear end that sports a full-width light bar. The model grows in size as it now measures 5,099 mm long, 1,989 mm wide, and 1,750 mm tall with a wheelbase that spans 3,070 mm. That means the model is 77 mm longer than its predecessor and an extra 60 mm can be found between the wheels.
The interior is the star of the show as
the ES8 offers four executive seats, a rear center console, and a
third-row. The rest of the cabin largely
echoes the EC7 as there’s a Queen’s co-pilot front passenger seat as well as
the aforementioned screens and 23-speaker audio system.
The déjà vu continues with the powertrain
as the ES8 features a dual-motor all-wheel drive system developing 644 hp and 850 Nm of torque.
While the numbers carryover from the EC7, the three-row crossover is
slower as the dash to 100 km/h takes 4.1 seconds. The model also offers 75 and 100 kWh battery
packs with a range of up to 605 km.
Pricing begins at ¥ 528,000 (US$ 75,860) with
the 75 kWh battery and ¥ 586,000 (US$ 84,194) with the 100 kWh battery. There’s also the battery-as-a-service option,
which drops the cost to ¥ 478,000 (US$ 68,677).
The crossover is currently available to order and deliveries are
expected to begin in June.
Both models are based on the company’s
second-generation platform and feature intelligent multi-beam headlights, which
can project patterns as well as animations.
More importantly, the crossovers have 33 high-performance sensors
including LiDAR that allows for high-levels of automation. Speaking of the latter, Nio will launch a
“pilot power swapping on the highway” function that will allow the vehicles to
“automatically plan the route for [the] battery swap, drive to the power swap
station through intelligent navigation, automatically complete the power swap,
and automatically drive out of the service area and back to the highway.”
