Nio is a Chinese electric car manufacturer that opens its first “dealer” in Karl Johans gate in Oslo on 23 September. We write dealer in quotation marks, because it is not a car shop in the traditional sense.
Nio House, as it will be called, is a place where you will find a library, restaurant and separate play area for children – yes, and a car or two, then.
But even if there is a creative philosophy behind it – the goal is the same as the others: Cars will be sold.
The first model out is the ES8 electric SUV.
With a front passenger seat that can be used as a bed, a digital assistant called Nomi, a battery pack that can be replaced in a few minutes and the opportunity to buy an electric car without batteries, they intend to win customers by, among other things, being different.
Nine starts at one of Norway’s most expensive addresses
Battery replacement
If we take the latter first: Nine ES8 will thus be possible to buy without batteries. An electric car without batteries sounds somewhat pointless – but you can only hear about the battery rental agreement.
So instead of having a battery pack that follows the life of the car, you can rent a brand new and updated package at any time.
You can also vary which battery pack you rent – large or small. The latter costs less money.
– Here we are talking about sleeping comfort.
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500 kilometer
– The customer can rent the large battery pack if you are going on a long trip, says Marius Hayler, general manager of NIO Norway.
We will find out what the prices will be for the car and possibly the battery packs on 23 September.
If you choose the largest battery pack, of 100 kWt, you get at least a range of 500 kilometers.
It can be fast charged with up to 100 kW. It is not on a par with the best in class. Porsche, Kia, Hyundai and Audi have put the list here – with charging capacity of up to 270 kW.
– Nine ES8s come with six or seven seats.
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Fast
With a large battery in the bottom of the car, naturally the weight becomes quite significant. We are talking 2.5 tons.
To ensure a fresh kick, however, Nio has equipped the ES8 with a total of 532 horsepower.
The 0-100 km / h sprint is served in a brisk 4.9 seconds. Not bad, for a seven-seater SUV.
It is otherwise delivered as either six- or seven-seater. But it is especially one of the passengers who can enjoy extra good comfort …
– Among other things, we have tested Nio at Eggemoen Airport.
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First-class feeling
The front passenger seat can be laid almost completely flat. In addition, there is an extension of the seat and supports the legs – and a footrest is folded down at the very bottom of the footwell. Just like driving first class in a plane!
It’s spacious and comfortable for the others in the car, too. At least everyone sitting in the first two rows of seats. There is plenty of space.
Even in the seven-seater, it is possible for adults to sit in the rear seats, if those sitting in the second row of seats are a little cooperative.
Of course, we must follow when prices are released. Only then can you say something about how good a purchase this car is.
Read more about our fear impressions of ES8 here – and watch video of the testing at Eggemoen airport below:
Solid: How far away is the “electric car revolution”?
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