Nio Launches EL6: A Comprehensive Upgrade to Its Best-Selling Model
Chinese premium EV brand Nio has unveiled the EL6, a successor to the ES6, which is expected to be part of the company’s line-up when it arrives in the UK next year. The EL6 is a comprehensive reworking of the ES6, including a switch to a new platform. While the ES6 shared its core architecture with the larger ES8, the EL6 uses the same steel platform as the ET5 saloon and ET5 Touring estate. The EL6 has a slightly stretched wheelbase and sits around 50mm lower than the ES6. Overall, it measures 4854mm long (with a wheelbase of 2915mm), 1995mm wide and 1703mm tall.
Design and Interior
The EL6 features a hybrid of SUV and saloon language, according to Kris Tomasson, Nio’s vice-president of design. The styling changes include a new version of Nio’s split headlight design and a more rakish, coupé-esque rear roofline. The interior quality and feel of the car have also been upgraded, with a fresh design intended to offer greater interior space. As standard, the 20-way adjustable seats have nine layers of supporting materials while the optional 22-way adjustment includes a “zero-gravity” position which reclines the ventilated, massaging seats by 160deg. Nio also said the EL6’s openable sunroof is the largest in its class, at around one square metre. The new car offers 668 litres of boot space, making it more spacious than both the Audi Q4 E-tron and the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Powertrain and Performance
As standard, the EL6 features a four-wheel drive system with a 201bhp front motor and 282bhp rear-mounted motor, as on the ET5 Touring. Total power output is 482bhp (47bhp more than on the ES6) and torque stands at 516lb ft, allowing a 0-62mph time of 4.5sec. The EL6 features continuous damping control to ensure a stable ride and, like the ET5, will be offered in China with a high level of autonomous driving hardware. Drivers will be offered a choice between nine driving modes, and Nio’s automatically adjusting braking system, Intelligent Smooth Stop (ISS), makes its debut on this model.
Battery and Range
The EL6 continues to use Nio’s 70kWh battery, giving it an official range of just over 300 miles. It’s compatible with Nio’s battery-swap stations, which can take out an empty battery and fit a fully charged new one in less than five minutes.
Expansion Plans
Nio has expanded into Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden, offering the ET5 and ET7 saloons and the EL7, a larger SUV. It’s currently putting the finishing touches to its UK expansion plans, with a new country manager in place. It will come here next year with right-hand-drive cars and is planning to build battery-swap facilities.
Conclusion
The EL6 is a comprehensive upgrade to Nio’s best-selling model in China. The new car features a hybrid of SUV and saloon language, upgraded interior quality and feel, and improved equipment levels. The EL6 also offers more boot space than both the Audi Q4 E-tron and the Ford Mustang Mach-E. The powertrain and performance have been improved, with a total power output of 482bhp and torque standing at 516lb ft, allowing a 0-62mph time of 4.5sec. The EL6 continues to use Nio’s 70kWh battery, giving it an official range of just over 300 miles. It’s compatible with Nio’s battery-swap stations, which can take out an empty battery and fit a fully charged new one in less than five minutes. Nio is expanding into the UK next year, with right-hand-drive cars and battery-swap facilities planned.