- Undisguised spy shots of the Nio ES9 have emerged ahead of its April 9 tech event, showcasing the massive size of the SUV.
- The full-size electric SUV is expected to feature Nio's latest R&D achievements and is poised to be showcased at the Beijing Auto Show in late April.
Undisguised spy shots of Nio Inc's new flagship sport utility vehicle (SUV), the ES9, have been exposed, revealing the model's massive size ahead of its April 9 unveiling.
Images circulating on Chinese social media platforms, including Weibo, on Wednesday showed a gold-exterior ES9 parked on the roadside, suspected to be undergoing a promotional video shoot.
Compared to adults in the photos, the ES9 features a gigantic body. Nio's management previously said that the model would be the largest SUV in China.
The ES9 measures 5,365 mm in length, 2,029 mm in width, and 1,870 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,250 mm, according to a regulatory filing in January.
This size is larger than the third-generation ES8, which is already one of the largest electric SUVs currently in the Chinese market.
Nio is accelerating the launch pace of the ES9, aiming to build market momentum for the upcoming Beijing Auto Show.
Nio released the first preview video of the ES9 on Monday, starting to build hype for the large electric SUV.
The video showcased behind-the-scenes footage of the flagship model's winter testing in Yakeshi, Inner Mongolia, which was completed in extreme cold environments with temperatures dropping to minus 30 degrees Celsius.
The short clip showed the ES9 successfully passing a tire blowout test conducted at a high speed of 150 km/h. Nio will also demonstrate an advanced stability test on the model, featuring a champagne tower balanced on the hood.
The video also displayed a comparison between the ES9 and the smaller Firefly EV navigating narrow roads, hinting that the large SUV will boast a turning radius and agility comparable to a compact car.
Nio's founder, chairman, and CEO William Li said earlier this month that the ES9's tech event is scheduled for April 9. This is slightly earlier than the previously anticipated date around April 10.
The tech event aims to warm up for the upcoming Beijing Auto Show. The biennial auto show will open on April 24, where the ES9 is expected to make its public showcase.
The ES9 is expected to be equipped with Nio's latest generation of core R&D achievements, which are poised to include two in-house developed Shenji NX 9031 autonomous driving chips and the SkyRide chassis system.
There is currently no specific pricing information for the ES9. Nio's highest-end model at present is the ET9 executive sedan, which starts at 768,000 yuan ($111,450).
The ES9 will be equipped with a 102-kWh battery pack, offering a range of up to 620 kilometers, according to previous regulatory filings.
($1 = 6.8912 yuan)
