Nio’s premium compact car brand Firefly has filed for approval of a new variant of its Firefly EV, featuring a higher-power motor, according to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
The variant appears in the latest MIIT catalog of vehicles awaiting approval for sale, open for public feedback from November 11 to 17. Entry into the catalog marks the final major regulatory step before a model can be cleared for sale in China.
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The new version of the Firefly EV introduces a 120 kW (161 horsepower) motor developed by XPT, Nio’s in-house motor division, offering a notable increase from the current model’s 105 kW unit with 200 Nm of torque.
Other specifications remain unchanged, including the five-seat compact design, 4,003 mm length, 1,781 mm width, 1,557 mm height, and 2,615 mm wheelbase. The vehicle has a curb weight of 1,492 kg and a top speed of 150 km/h.
Like the existing version, the new Firefly EV variant continues to use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries supplied by Sunwoda, emphasizing affordability and efficiency.
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Nio officially introduced the Firefly brand at Nio Day 2024 on December 21, 2024, positioning it to compete with small premium EVs such as Mini and Smart. The Firefly EV launched in China on April 19 with a starting price of RMB 119,800 ($16,830).
In October, Nio delivered a record 40,397 vehicles, with 5,912 Firefly units contributing to the total — marking the sub-brand’s third consecutive month of record-breaking sales as it strengthens its foothold in the compact electric vehicle segment.