Formula E race team NextEV’s recently launched car brand - NIO - has revealed its new electric ES8 SUV.

Following the launch of its debut model - the road-ready, record-breaking electric supercar the EP9 - NIO’s new vehicle for the Chinese market is planned for series production later this year. At the same time, the brand also confirmed it will begin taking pre-orders for its flagship EP9 supercar. 

The NIO ES8 is a full size 7-seater electric SUV with a 2-3-2 seating arrangement and an overall length of 196 inches. The ES8 has an all-aluminium body and chassis, front and rear motors for electric all-wheel drive, and active air suspension.

The electric SUV features the new brand’s design identity - the ‘X-bar’ and NIO signature ‘Spark Beat’ tail lights. The vehicle’s swappable battery promises a charging experience ‘that surpasses refuelling at petrol stations’, a claim which follows ‘thousands of miles’ of testing for the ES8.

The vehicle has been tested in Yakeshi in Inner Mongolia, where temperatures can reach -22 degrees Fahrenheit as well as Melbourne and Mildura, Australia, where temperatures can reach over 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

The ES8’s official launch will take place at the end of this year, with deliveries expected to begin next year. NIO Founder and Chairman, William Li, said: “Today we unveiled our new production vehicle, the NIO ES8, to the China market. It is another statement of our vision and technical and manufacturing capabilities. It is a best-in-class product that showcases what is possible with electric vehicles. I am proud of our relentless focus on vision and action. From track to road, NIO continues to achieve major milestones every year.” 

NIO also announced it will begin pre-selling the first batch of six EP9s - the fastest electric car in the world. The first six models of the flagship supercar were produced were for investors. NIO plans to produce a second batch of ten EP9s, each one will be made to order and priced at $1.48 million (Approx. £1.15 million). The EP9 set the track record on the Nürburgring Nordschleife as well as setting the record for fastest autonomous lap with the EP9 at the Circuit of the Americas.