On the evening of September 20, during NIO DAY, the all-new generation NIO ES8 was officially launched. The new car is available in three variants, with prices ranging from 406,800 to 446,800 RMB, and the battery leasing option is priced between 298,800 and 338,800 RMB. Compared to the pre-sale price, the starting price of the new car has been reduced by 10,000 RMB. For comparison, the pre-sale price ranged from 416,800 to 456,800 RMB, with the battery leasing option priced between 308,800 and 348,800 RMB. The old model of the NIO ES8 was priced between 498,000 and 598,000 RMB.
The NIO ES8 was first launched in 2017 as NIO’s first mass-produced model. The second generation was released in 2022, and the newly launched model is the third generation. As a completely new generation model, the car is built on the NT3.0 platform, with a completely redesigned exterior and interior, a larger body size, and improved features.
Exterior:
The new model adopts a fresh family design style, with a split-headlamp design at the front. The daytime running lights feature a two-stage design, and the lower headlights have been enhanced with a welcoming effect, giving the car a bold visual presence. Compared to the old model, the size of the lower grille has been reduced, and the silver trim on the front bumper has been raised for a more balanced visual effect.
Side Profile:
The new model features a two-tone color design that creates a floating roof effect. It also includes hidden water-cut details, hidden door handles, 22-inch forged wheels, and privacy glass in the rear, giving it a stylish and sporty appearance. In terms of color options, the new ES8 is available in six colors: Starry Blue, Stardust Green, Dawn Gold, Cloud White, Midnight Black, and Xinglan Gray. Midnight Black and Xinglan Gray are new colors, with Xinglan Gray being exclusive to the new ES8.
Rear Design:
The rear of the vehicle adopts a through-type taillight design, composed of 600 LED lights and 480 SuperRed ultra-red LEDs, with three layers of light sources arranged on both sides. The lights are highlighted with satin bright trim and brushed metal accents, ensuring a high level of recognition when illuminated at night.
Dimensions:
The new model measures 5280mm in length, 2010mm in width, and 1800mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3130mm, positioning it as a large SUV. In comparison, the previous ES8 measured 5099mm in length, 1989mm in width, and 1750mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3070mm. The new model’s body size has been significantly increased, with the length growing by 181mm, width by 21mm, height by 50mm, and wheelbase by 60mm. This provides more interior space, making the ride more comfortable and spacious.
Interior:
The interior offers various color options, including Su Mu Red, Pearl Shell, Daisan Blue, and Pamir Brown, and uses a large amount of soft-touch materials. The seats are wrapped in Nappa leather, similar to the ET9, providing a fashionable and comfortable look.
Features:
The new ES8 is equipped with the same Skyline display as the NIO ET9, which includes a 48-inch miniLED digital sky screen and a 15.6-inch AMOLED central control screen, running on the SkyOS·Tianshu operating system. Additionally, the car features a 38-inch AR HUD head-up display system, a three-spoke steering wheel, a rotary gearshift lever, and the NOMI Mate 3.0 system, enhancing the tech experience.
For driver assistance, the new ES8 comes with top-mounted LiDAR, along with additional wide-angle LiDAR on the front fenders. The exterior mirrors also feature an AD Blue Light indicator for assistance. In terms of seat configurations, the car offers a 2+2+2 six-seat layout and a 2+3+2 seven-seat layout to meet different customer needs. The six-seat version has second-row seats that support zero-gravity mode.
Powertrain:
The car is built on a 900V high-voltage platform and is equipped with front and rear drive motors similar to the NIO ET9. The front motor is an induction asynchronous motor with a maximum power of 180 kW and peak torque of 300 Nm, while the rear motor is a permanent magnet synchronous motor with a maximum power of 340 kW and peak torque of 400 Nm. The combined system power output is 520 kW, with a combined torque of 700 Nm. The car is equipped with a standard 102 kWh battery pack, offering a CLTC range of 635 km.
Overall, compared to the previous generation, the all-new NIO ES8 has significantly improved product strength, with a larger body, enhanced comfort, and upgraded tech features. Based on its positioning and pricing, the new ES8 will compete with models like the Aion M8 EV, Aion M9 EV, Li Auto L9, and Tesla Model Y L. With the launch of the new ES8, NIO’s market competitiveness is expected to rise.
Future Sales Expectations:
As a new generation model, NIO CEO William Li has high expectations for its market performance. According to reports, Li mentioned in the Q2 earnings call that the new ES8 will reach a production capacity of 10,000 units in October and 15,000 units in December. By Q4 of this year, NIO plans to achieve a monthly delivery of 50,000 units. Additionally, NIO CFO Qi Yu noted that the L90 and the new ES8 will achieve full quarterly deliveries, with the company’s vehicle gross margin target for Q4 set between 16% and 17%, aiming for breakeven.
As one of the representatives of the new car-making forces, NIO has established three major brands: NIO, LEAD, and Firefly. The LEAD brand, NIO’s second brand, was launched in May 2024, and Firefly, NIO’s third brand, was unveiled during NIO DAY 2024. As of the end of August, NIO’s total sales reached 166,500 units, a year-on-year increase of 29.95%. The LEAD brand’s cumulative sales were 54,300 units, while Firefly’s sales reached 14,300 units.
