The new EC6 starts at RMB 358,000, or RMB 288,000 under the battery rental purchase option.
Nio (NYSE: NIO) today launched the new EC6, completing the switchover of all models based on the older NT 1.0 to the latest NT 2.0 platform.
The new EC6 starts at RMB 358,000 ($49,200), RMB 20,000 ($2,750) higher than the RMB 338,000 starting price of the new ES6.
As Nio teased earlier today, it held the launch event of the new EC6 in an unprecedented format, presenting the model in a way that a Nio staffer presents it to a family customer.
Nio founder, chairman, and CEO William Li's introduction of the model was treated as irrelevant background.
That's probably because the new EC6 is a more personalized niche, whereas the new ES6, which was launched on May 24, is a crucial non-failure for Nio.
The new EC6 measures 4,849 mm in length, 1,995 mm in width and 1,697 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,915 mm.
It uses the same LiDAR and camera setup on the roof as the other NT 2.0-based models, and the front and taillight design are similar to the other latest models.
The new EC6 is powered by dual electric motors manufactured by Nio's electric drive systems division in Hefei, Anhui province, with a maximum power of 150 kW and 210 kW respectively, and can support a top speed of 200 km/h.
The powertrain's specifications are the same as those of the new ES6, ET5, and ET5 Touring. Nio's more expensive ES8, ES7, and EC7 are powered by more powerful motors, with the front motors maxing out at 180 kW and the rear motors at 300 kW.
Including the battery, the new EC6 starts at RMB 358,000 for the model with the 75-kWh standard range battery pack and RMB 416,000 for the model with the 100-kWh long-range battery pack.
Customers purchasing the vehicle based on the BaaS (battery as a service) model will pay a starting price of RMB 288,000, with monthly rental fees of RMB 980 and RMB 1,680 for the 75-kWh and 100-kWh battery packs, respectively.
Although the new EC6 is more expensive than the ES6, it offers comfort features, including the "Queen's seat", which were optional on the latter, standard.
The launch of the EC6, based on the NT 1.0 platform, was on December 28, 2019, with first deliveries in September 2020.
Nio has significantly accelerated the pace of new products from launch to delivery this year. Deliveries of the new EC6 start today, the company said.
This is a day ahead of the previously teased September 16. Show cars of the new EC6 were already available at its stores earlier this week.
With the release of the new EC6, Nio's eight products will better meet the diverse needs of customers in the premium segment and drive steady growth in overall deliveries, the company's management said in an August 29 analyst call following its second-quarter earnings announcement.
The company's most important model is the ES6 SUV, which is more in line with the greater preferences of Chinese customers. The new ES6 delivered 11,118 units in July and 8,601 units in August.
($1 = RMB 7.2773)
Store visit: Here's what new Nio EC6 looks like in real life
