Just earlier this month, we talked about the Nio EL7 (see linked link module below) – Chinese luxury crossover expected to go on sale in Europe next year. The Chinese brand now has a new addition to its SUV range in the form of a coupe version of the battery-powered model. The EC7 made its debut in China as the “mid-large flagship coupe SUV” Nio. That sounds pretty cryptic to us, but wait, there’s a lot more to be said about the new EC7.
Starting with the design, the vehicle is exactly what you’d expect – the same front-end design as the EL7 combined with a sloping roofline and a longer rear overhang. The EC7 is 195.6 inches (4,968 mm) long, 77.7 inches (1,974 mm) wide and 67.5 inches (1,714 mm) high, and has a wheelbase of 116.5 inches (2,960 mm). More importantly, however, the crossover has a drag coefficient of just 0.23, which makes it the most aerodynamic SUV in the world, according to Nio. Helping to achieve this solid rating are active rear wings.
Power comes from a dual-motor electric drive system, which has a peak output of 644 horsepower (480 kilowatts) and 626 pound-feet (850 Newton-meters) of instant torque. This setting is sufficient for acceleration from 0-62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) in just 3.8 seconds. The EV SUV can be ordered with a 75, 100, or 150 kWh battery pack with a range between two charges varying from 304 miles (490 km) to 584 miles (940 km) measured by China’s CLTC cycle.
In terms of equipment, the EC7 comes as standard with a giant panoramic glass roof made of double-layered sound and heat insulating glass. Nio’s flexible electrochromic (EC) technology enables five adjustable transmission levels to allow natural light to enter the car with extreme transparency or completely protect privacy when needed. Other goodies include a tri-zone climate control system, a premium 23-speaker audio system, and heated rear seats.
Nio is already taking orders for the EC7 with deliveries scheduled to start in May next year. The most affordable price for the EC7 is ¥488,000 or about $70,100 at the current exchange rate. Versions with a 100 kWh battery pack start at ¥546,000 ($78,447).
