Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio has officially launched the ET9, a flagship executive sedan positioned to challenge premium offerings from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi. The ET9 debuted during Nio Day 2024 in Guangzhou, China, with a starting price of RMB 788,000 ($108,000), inclusive of the battery.
The ET9 showcases Nio’s advancements in EV technology, marking its entry into the executive sedan segment. It features Nio’s proprietary 5 nm Shenji NX9031 autonomous driving chip, which boasts performance equivalent to four mainstream smart driving processors. The ET9 incorporates two of these chips alongside roof-mounted and side LiDAR units to enhance its intelligent driving capabilities.
Equipped with the SkyRide intelligent chassis system, the ET9 is the first production car with an integrated hydraulic fully active suspension, enabling real-time adjustments for improved ride comfort and safety. Notably, the ET9 is also China’s first mass-produced vehicle with steer-by-wire (SBW) technology, recently approved by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
The ET9 is built on a 925 V ultra-high voltage platform, supporting faster charging speeds and delivering a CLTC range of up to 650 kilometers with its 100 kWh battery. The dual-motor powertrain provides a combined output of 520 kW and 700 Nm of torque, enabling the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds.
The ET9 is available in both standard and limited-edition versions, with the latter priced at RMB 818,000 and limited to 999 units. Customers opting for Nio’s Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model can purchase the vehicle for RMB 660,000 or RMB 690,000 for the limited edition, with a monthly battery rental fee of RMB 1,128. Deliveries will begin in March 2025, with priority given to the limited-edition model.
Measuring 5,325 mm in length with a wheelbase of 3,250 mm, the ET9 provides spacious interiors and a 105-liter front trunk— a first for Nio-branded models. The company emphasizes the model’s safety, luxury, and performance as a culmination of its decade-long technological innovations.
