Nio has started testing the first model from its new entry-level Alps brand in China ahead of an expected launch in around October. In news that won’t surprise anyone, Alps’ first model is expected to be an SUV. This vehicle is currently known as the DOM, and the first prototype was snapped in the middle of last year. Much of the design remains unknown, due to the heavy camouflage adorning the exterior but it should be similar in size to the likes of the Tesla Model Y and BYD Seal U.
Car News China also recently snapped an
Alps-branded sedan in China. That prototype was also bathed in body cladding
but it appears as though it will adopt a liftback-style design and what appears
to be a relatively spacious interior. We can also see the EV has quite a long
hood and large side windows but other than that, very little else about its
design is known at this time. What we do know is that both the SUV and sedan
models will be underpinned by Nio’s third-generation NT 3.0 platform. The new
models are expected to be available with 60 kWh and 90 kWh battery packs and
offered with a handful of different electric motor options.
Although the Alps models will share parts
with existing Nio models, they will be significantly cheaper. Prices are
expected to start at around 250,000 yuan (US$ 34,000) whereas the entry-level Nio
ET5 starts at over 320,000 yuan (US$ 45,000). A key point of difference between
Alps models and those from Nio is that they will not use the advanced, but
expensive, Lidar sensors.
Alps isn’t the only new brand that Nio is
working on. The company is launching a second one known as Firefly, aimed at
building models priced between 100,000 yuan (US$ 14,000) and 200,000 yuan
(US$ 28,000). Both the Alps and Firefly brands will be available in Europe.
