NIO ES8 Electric SUV Is Cheaper Alternative To Tesla Model X

NIO ES8 electric suv

NIO ES8 Electric SUV has combined power output of 643 horsepower and 840 Nm of peak torque; does 0-100 kmph in just 4.4 seconds

NIO silenced critics when its EP9 set fastest lap record for an electric vehicle at the Nurburgring earlier this year and now it has set its eyes on huge chunk of sales in the Chinese market with the launch of the ES8 crossover-ish SUV. It costs just ¥ 4,48,000 (Rs 43.45 lakh) in China and is roughly offered in half the price of Tesla Model X.

The ES8 is a high performance electric SUV with sporty design language instigating mixed reactions. NIO has said that the entire body as well as the chassis is made of aluminium making the ES8 the mass-produced vehicle with highest amount of aluminium usage.

NIO ES8 electric suv 2

It is practical as well with a seven-seat configuration and comes equipped with high quality interior materials and highly-advanced technologies. The significant features are a large touchscreen infotainment system with portrait orientation, a digital instrument cluster, Nappa leather upholstery, front “lounge seat”, air quality system with activated carbon and HEPA filter along with negative ion generator.

The NIO ES8 takes power from two electric motors and they are good enough to produce a combined power output of 643 horsepower and 840 Nm of peak torque. The impressive power is sent to all the four wheels and the ES8 can accelerate from zero to 100 kmph in just 4.4 seconds.

NIO ES8 electric suv Interior

The 70 kWh battery pack ensures a NEDC range of 355 km on a single charge. When the battery gets depleted completely, the process of swapping out is easy as NIO claims it can be replaced via fully recharged battery in an estimated three seconds. NIO plans to set up over 1,100 power swap stations in the future.

They will be accompanied by more than 1,200 power mobile vehicles that can provide the ES8 enough energy to travel up to 100 kilometers after just a ten minute charge. The highlighting technology made available is an advanced driver assistance system called NIO pilot.

NIO ES8 electric suv 1It utilises four exterior cameras, five millimeter-wave radars, a driver monitor camera, 12 ultrasonic sensors and a a trifocal front-facing camera. The total of 23 sensors allow for automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, jam assist, highway pilot, etc.

Moreover, the NOMI billed as the “world’s first in-car AI system” is said to be a fun, expressive, and intuitive companion that can listen, talk, and help drivers along the way. NIO will also sell 10,000 units of the exclusive Founder’s Edition at ¥ 548,000 (Rs. 53.28 lakh) while the battery rental plan starts for for ¥ 1,280 (Rs. 12.445) per month.