Nio ET9 – The flagship is coming in 2025

The Chinese luxury sedan will challenge the proven premium limousines

Nio confirms its premium orientation with the announced ET9, which will be the brand's most luxurious model. It is positioned in the company of the BMW i7, Mercedes-Benz EQS and Tesla Model S but, when it hits the market in 2025, it will bring a new 900V architecture and will have almost 700 hp.

As announced by the Nio camp, the ET9 will hit the Chinese market next year, with initial deliveries expected in early 2025. From a design point of view, the traditional differences between coupe-crossovers and sedans are challenged. This is evident not only in its appearance, but also in its surprisingly high ground clearance for a luxury sedan.

The roofline is coupé-style, retaining the design elements recognizable for the Nio. These include a sharp front end with thin headlights and a rear that appears to be largely inspired by the Jaguar F-Type and Porsche Taycan. However, the body lacks an athletic look. Instead, it aspires to resemble a stretched version of the EC6 crossover coupe.

In terms of dimensions, the ET9 is 5,324mm long, 2,016mm wide and 1,620mm tall, set on a 3.25m wheelbase. This data reveals that the Chinese luxury electric sedan outperforms the Mercedes EQS in all directions by a few centimeters. Other exterior features include hidden door handles, an active retractable rear spoiler and 23-inch multi-spoke wheels with a floating logo design that stays upright while the car is in motion.

For now, the design of the instrument panel has not been fully revealed, but the lavish details of the rear passenger compartment have been shared. It is clear that the company's priorities are aimed at spoiling those who will stay in the back row. The seats are first-class, offering up to 45 degrees of recline adjustment, their width is worthy of an armchair (582 mm) and they are adjustable in 11 points via a single switch.

For the discretion of the passengers to be at the highest level, there are seven electric curtains that are activated by pressing a button. Other conveniences include an 8-inch tablet-style screen mounted between the seats, an integrated refrigerator, and two 14.5-inch AMOLED screens mounted on the backs of the front seats. Instead of a traditional instrument cluster, the ET9 relies on a head-up display system and a 15.6-inch tablet-style AMOLED screen on the center console.

The Nio has hinted at a steering wheel that retracts when the Smart Pilot feature is engaged. ET9's strong point will be advanced technologies. It is equipped with three lidar sensors, including one in the center and two high-definition cameras on the leading edge of the roof. Additionally, there are digital mirrors. The new flagship is mounted on the third-generation Nio platform with a 900V architecture that is the first of its kind in China, operating at a peak voltage of 925V.

This allows fast charging with a maximum power of 600 kW. According to Nio, this facilitates ultra-fast charging of the 120 kWh battery, which is made up of 46,105 cells and should provide an autonomy of 1,000 kilometers. A real benefit is the ability to accumulate enough electricity to drive 255 kilometers in just five minutes of charging. As with other Nio products, the ET9 supports a complete battery change in just three minutes.

The ET9 is equipped with Sky Ride, Nio's intelligent undercarriage system, which includes rear-wheel steering with a maximum angle of 8.3 degrees. It also has a fully active suspension system where each shock absorber is independently controlled by a dedicated hydraulic pump and which according to Nio is more advanced than the one used by the new third generation Porsche Panamera.

Two electric motors are responsible for the movement. On the front axle is an asynchronous motor producing 180 kW and a permanent magnet synchronous motor on the rear axle generating 340 kW. Together, they deliver a combined output of 520 kW or 697 hp. Although Nio has not yet revealed plans for the availability of the ET9 in other markets, it is currently open for pre-orders in China, with deliveries scheduled for the first quarter of 2025 at a price of around €104,000.