Nio used its annual Nio Day occasion held on Dec. 24 in Hefei, China, to current two new automobiles, one among which marks the beginning of a brand new mannequin line for the Chinese language EV model.

The automobiles included a redesigned ES8 mid-size SUV and a brand new EC7 mid-size SUV with a coupe-like roof profile.

It was solely in 2017 that Nio, typically billed as China’s Tesla, rolled out its first car within the type of the unique ES8. (There was additionally an EP9 hypercar, although this was a monitor automobile whose manufacturing totaled solely a handful of items.)

Since then, Nio has gone on to launch the ES6, EC6, and ES7 SUVs, in addition to the ET5 and ET7 sedans. The addition of the EC7 brings Nio’s lineup to seven automobiles.

The EC7 and redesigned ES8 are based mostly on Nio’s newest EV platform, dubbed NT2.0, and which in range-topping guise incorporates air suspension and a dual-motor powertrain producing a mixed 644 hp. That is sufficient for 0-62 mph acceleration in 3.8 seconds within the EC7 and 4.1 seconds within the ES8. The battery choices embody 75- and 100-kwh items.

The brand new platform additionally incorporates {hardware} required for self-driving functionality, together with lidar and 4 Orin X pc chips. Nio mentioned options permitting the automobiles to deal with themselves in sure conditions will probably be rolled out as updates because the expertise is developed and validated. Nio plans to supply the options through a month-to-month subscription.

The EC7 has seating for 5 break up over two rows whereas the ES8 has seating for six break up over three rows. Within the ES8, the passenger seats have cushions that routinely elevate to create what the corporate refers to “zero gravity posture.” That is meant to alleviate tiredness on lengthy drives. The EC7 in the meantime advantages from a glass roof that spans nearly 21 sq. ft and options sound and warmth insulation.

The EC7 begins at 418,000 renminbi (roughly $60,000), although homeowners can have to join a subscription for the battery. The beginning worth with the 75-kwh battery included is 488,000 renminbi ($70,000).

Equally, the ES8 begins at 458,000 renminbi ($65,800) with a battery subscription and 528,000 renminbi ($75,850) with the 75-kwh battery included.

Nio now has one of the crucial various EV lineups within the enterprise. The corporate in October marked the beginning of exports to a handful of European nations, and on Dec. 12 celebrated the development of its 300,000th car. Nio additionally mentioned it plans to be current in additional than 25 nations by 2025, although it hasn’t mentioned whether or not the U.S. will probably be one among them.