No question about it: Nio understood how to provoke positive headlines in his own way. And so the message popped up in many places: “The Nio ET5 has a range of more than 1000 km.” That is not wrong, but a few small, additional notes are needed. This provisional value only applies to the top model and is measured in the “China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle” (CLTC).
The Chinese have announced that they will be withdrawing from the WLTP, which is actually globally agreed, in the medium term and relying on a separate cycle that should come closer to the Chinese traffic conditions. It is probably not a bold assumption that those responsible at the political level were careful not to undercut their industry. If you want to reproachfully raise your finger in the direction of China, you should first realize that the European auto industry is also very well interwoven in the local political network.
The role model in the design of the ET5 is unmistakably Tesla.
(Image: Nio)
Lush memory
The reference to the CLTC is not intended to devalue the range specification of the Nio ET5, just to classify something. Because on the other hand, the truth also includes that the Chinese not only use an advantageous cycle, but also technically clumsy instead of messing up. The ET5 will be offered with three different batteries. Even the basic model is equipped with 75 kWh, which should be sufficient for 550 km in the CLTC. The middle version should create 750 km, the energy content is given here with 100 kWh. After all, the top model has 150 kWh.
At 4.79 meters, the Nio ET5 is about as long as a VW Passat.
(Image: Nio)
For the time being, only one configuration is provided for the drive. In the, the front asynchronous motor has an output of 150 kW, the synchronous motor on the rear axle 210 kW. The system output is 360 kW, the maximum torque 700 Nm. In the standard sprint, 4.3 seconds should be enough, Nio does not give an indication of the maximum speed.
Model Tesla
In terms of design, Nio is blatantly based on Tesla, both outside and inside. The cockpit is as clean as possible, almost all functions are operated via the large screen in the middle or by voice command. The head-up display is intended to combine augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).
The ET5 is prepared for autonomous driving, although Nio has not yet given any specific information about what will be available in which market. The only thing that has been announced so far is that these capabilities will be available as a subscription. For the customer, this has the advantage that he can try out whether the offer convinces him. So Nio has to be pretty sure of that.
Operation takes place almost exclusively via the screen or by voice.
(Image: Nio)
From 2022 in Germany
Nio wants to start delivering the ET5 in China from September 2022, and in Europe the e-car should be available shortly afterwards, at least in Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany. It is not yet revealed what the ET5 will cost in this country. We expect a competitive price of around 45,000 euros for the base model.
(mfz)