Chinese EV automaker unveils $70,000 electric SUV to take on Tesla’s Model X and Y

Tesla’s electric vehicle (EV) rival in the Chinese market, NIO, has unveiled its new electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) this week, further intensifying the competition between the two EV companies in China.

The new NIO ES7, the company’s first mid-large 5-seater electric SUV, was unveiled at a product launch on Wednesday, rivaling Tesla’s Model Y and Model X electric SUVs in China.

In its press release, NIO boasted the ES7 SUV is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in just 3.9 seconds, making it the company’s fastest SUV to date. For braking, the ES7 SUV can slow from 100 to 0 kph within 33.9 meters (111 feet).

The electric SUV comes with three options for batteries at different kilowatts per hour (kWh) ranges. The vehicle’s CLTC (China light-duty vehicle test cycle) range can reach 485 km (301 miles) with the 75 kWh Standard Range Battery, 620 km (385 miles) with the 100 kWh Long Range Battery and over 850 km (528 miles) with the 150 kWh Ultralong Range Battery.

“ES7 is one of the first certified passenger vehicles in China to be able to tow a caravan or a trailer,” the press release noted. “The optional electric tow bar has a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 kg. In addition, ES7 can supply power to towed equipment. In outdoor scenarios, it can support the Camping Mode and V2L discharging.”

The ES7 is also the first electric SUV to demonstrate NIO’s “Design for AD” ethos, and the first vehicle in the company to use the NT 2.0 Platform.

The NIO ES7 will come packed with an autonomous driving system with semi-autonomous driving features. To provide a “second living room,” NIO added comfort features to the two front seats, which come equipped with heating, ventilation and massaging functions. Rear seats would only come with heating features.

For the entertainment side, the NIO ES7 will have an AR/VR compatible digital cockpit system called the PanoCinema.

“NIO and NREAL, an innovative AR device company, developed custom AR glasses that can project an effective 201-inch screen at 6 meters (19 feet),” the company wrote. “Coupled with the 256-color digital waterfall ambient lighting and the 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos surround sound system, PanoCinema will bring you an immersive visual and audio experience in the exclusive space of the ES7.”

Pre-orders are currently open, with the delivery date expected to start on Aug. 28, 2022. Price starts at 468,000 yuan (approximately $69,700) for the 75kWh battery and 526,000 yuan (approximately $78,460) for the 100kWh battery. The ES7 Premier Edition starts at 528,000 yuan (approximately $79,000).

Featured Image via NIO

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