A low drag coefficient (Cd) is essential for maximizing vary, main automakers to push for extra aerodynamic EVs. The Nio EC7, the Chinese language automaker’s new flagship SUV, is one more instance of this development.

Unveiled on the firm’s latest Nio Day 2022 presentation in Heifei, China, the EC7 has a drag coefficient of 0.23, which Nio claims is the bottom ever for a manufacturing SUV—a trait that can assist maximize its vary. That places the EC7 forward of the Tesla Mannequin X and Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, at 0.24 and 0.26, respectively. Whether or not you take into account Nio’s “SUV coupe” an SUV or not, anticipate competitors from the upcoming Lucid Gravity, too.

Serving to the EC7 slip via the air are a coupe-like form and a supercar-like adjustable rear wing, which may reposition itself to cut back drag or add downforce, relying on the circumstances.

2023 Nio EC7

A dual-motor powertrain combines a 300-kw (402-hp) induction motor and 180-kw (241-hp) everlasting magnet motor, and will get the EC7 from 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds, in line with Nio.

Whereas Nio did not go into a lot additional element, it additionally highlighted the EC7’s panoramic glass roof, which options electrochromic know-how that enables the transparency to be adjusted via 5 ranges, starting from totally clear to opaque. The 20.8-square-foot glass floor additionally has double-layered sound and warmth insulation, Nio claims.

The EC7 was launched alongside a redesigned model of the Nio ES8 SUV. Each fashions are primarily based on Nio’s second-generation automobile structure. Nio was broadly anticipated to convey the first-generation ES8 to the U.S. a couple of years in the past. On the time, it was promoting for roughly half the worth of a Mannequin X in China.

2023 Nio EC7

Nio aimed for an IPO within the U.S. in 2018, however that by no means occurred, and plans to promote automobiles right here steadily evaporated. The corporate has since targeted on its house market, however lately expanded to Europe.

Battery swapping tech, which Nio claims can present a totally charged battery in three minutes, has been a distinguishing function in China, and is a part of Nio’s plans for Europe as properly. Nio hit 1,000 battery swapping areas earlier this yr, and it is partnered with Shell for the tech in Europe.

Along with increasing the community of battery swapping stations and chargers, Nio is upgrading {hardware} with a brand new era of battery swapping stations, plus 500-kw charging tech, which the corporate first confirmed in July 2022.