Mobile Living Space: Wheeled Luxury Aboard the Nio EL8
Nio introduces its largest SUV, the electric seven-seater EL8, to the Continental European market. This vehicle aims to offer a comfortable ride while competing with BMW and Tesla in terms of colossal performance on the road. Given the Chinese brand's reputation, it's unlikely that others can match its capabilities.
Although not yet abundant, European roads are starting to see a few Nios. The distinctly folded shark fin and headlamp slots above give it a recognizable appearance, reflecting its aggressive approach similar to its sleeker SUV and sedan counterparts.
Nio manager Pep Pujol Mur highlights the importance of a clear brand image through design to establish themselves in the premium segment. The designers at their global design center Munich, many of whom have learned their craft at premium brands, demonstrate this in the EL8's design. For instance, at the rear, the large Nio follows the current trend with a steep and massive rear end, while the taillights are three-dimensional and extend far into the tailgate.
Upon entering the interior, one is greeted by two monitors - one behind the steering wheel and a central 11.3-inch touchscreen serving the infotainment system. Much of the system can also be operated via the round assistant Nomi, displayed on a round screen on the dashboard. During interactions, Nomi shows a virtual face with eyes and communicates with passengers. Those with a serious demeanor may find Nomi bothersome, but playful individuals might find a friend in the round buddy.
The interior exudes elegance with supple leather, a spacious cabin, and high-quality finishing - qualities that Nio fans will appreciate. On a 5-meter length, 2-meter width, 1.75-meter height, and 3-meter wheelbase, the EL8 offers space for up to six people and up to 810 liters of luggage. The third row can be folded flat, but the second cannot, making it difficult to accommodate long or bulky items.
The standard version features a center aisle to the third row, 14-way adjustable rear seats, and wide armrests. The Executive Edition comes with a center console containing an integrated refrigerator and 12-way adjustable ottoman-style reclining seats in the second row, complete with a comfortable passenger seat that can be unfolded nearly like a business-class airplane seat.
"The EL8 caters to Chinese businesspeople with chauffeurs," asserts Pujol Mur. As such, luxury amenities like a Hot-Stone-Massage function for the first and second seat rows, electric thigh and shoulder support, soundproof glass, sound insulation tires, and a function that minimizes pitching during braking are included.
The EL8 provides a serene sanctuary, thanks to soundproof glass, sound insulation tires, and a function that minimizes pitching during braking, allowing the vehicle to transform into a resting place. The scent system "Forest," 174 LEDs for illumination, and a 2300-watt surround sound system contribute to the lounge-like feel.
In addition to catering to families, the EL8 is also pet-friendly. The large trunk can accommodate not only children's seats but also pet carriers. The vehicle comes equipped with a pet-friendly climate control system, a special air filtration system, and a panoramic glass roof for the four-legged passengers' enjoyment during long journeys. The car even features a charging port for electric blankets to keep pets warm during cold trips.
Families will appreciate the EL8's thoughtful features, such as the Child Presence Detection System that warns when a child or pet is left in the vehicle and offers safety features like anti-collision protection when opening the rear doors and intelligent window and door locking. The EL8 is more than just a car; it's a comfortable and luxurious home on wheels for the whole family, including their beloved pets.
The comfort-oriented EL8 can also show its speed, as the series-production all-wheel-drive model combines a 180 kW/245 PS strong SiC permanent magnet motor and a 300 kW/409 PS powerful induction motor. With a torque of 850 Newton-meters, the EL8 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, delivering performance that rivals a Tesla Model X or BMW iX.
The exchangeable Long-Range battery with a 100 kWh capacity offers a range of 510 kilometers according to the WLTP cycle, while a standard battery with a 75 kWh capacity is also available. The combined WLTP power consumption ranges between 21.2 and 23.1 kWh per 100 kilometers.
In the realm of tech and computational prowess, no European brands can challenge the Chinese - take the Nio as an example: The series production suspension for the steering comes from Continental, found in the Mercedes EQC, and the steering itself is similar to that in the BMW X5 courtesy of Thyssen. However, the Chinese focus on distinctive features that set Nio apart from the competition, much like Tesla, developing a proprietary operating system and organizing user interfaces logically and intuitively. They even have their own smartphone, running on the same system. Unfortunately, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay aren't compatible, which might be a deal-breaker for some European consumers.
The Nio EL8 boasts an array of sensors, cameras, and top-notch computing power, enabling features like self-regulating lane changes on highways. Additionally, the vehicle can drive autonomously to specialized stations for swapping the entire battery, all without human intervention. With a range of 500 kilometers in just 3 minutes, it's a compelling selling point against electric rivals, especially for long-haul vehicles. As of now, there are 15 battery swap stations in Germany, with plans to expand to almost 20 before the end of the year.
The battery price isn't included in the base model cost, with different pricing depending on the model. The 82,900 Euro for the EL8 (87,900 Euro for the Executive) doesn't directly compare with the 97,990 Euro of the Tesla Model X or the 77,300 Euro of the BMW iX. A minimum of 169 Euro in battery lease fees or an extra 12,000 Euro for purchasing the batteries applies. For the larger battery, it's 289 Euro or 21,000 Euro. With the subscription model, three battery swaps per month for quick charging are free.
The Nio EL8 isn't a cheap gimmick, but rather a surprisingly sophisticated alternative for those looking to stand out from the usual offerings of BMW & Co.
Read also:
- Chinese carmakers, like Nio, are making their mark in the automobile industry with innovative electric vehicles, such as the EL8, which is now available in the European market.
- The Electric Vehicle (EV) segment is expanding, and we're seeing more Electric cars, like the Nio models, competing with established brands like Tesla and BMW, offering electric seven-seaters like the EL8 that rival their performance.
- The rise of Electromobility is also influencing the designs of Chinese carmakers, with SUVs like the Nio EL8 showcasing a distinctive look, including a large emblem at the rear, third-dimensional taillights, and other features that set them apart from traditional Automobiles.
