Nio does a few things differently – completely different from the competition. The stylish Chinese repeatedly emphasize that the customer is at the center of all efforts and that no brand maintains a more direct exchange with its community. And then there’s the matter of changing the battery. Apparently doomed to death, at least in Europe, because no other car manufacturer got on board, the car manufacturer from Shanghai is trying to put more and more so-called swap stations into operation in the old world. The number is manageable at seven units across Germany and Nio is therefore also relying on a boost in charging speed for its new upper mid-range electric SUV. Instead of the previous 140 kilowatts, the Nio EL6 recharges at the fast charging station with up to 180 kW – not a best value, but a noticeable improvement compared to the competition, which also noticeably improves here. In 30 minutes, the family SUV increases its power from 10 to 80 percent – that’s right.
This also applies to the usual pleasing Nio design inside and out as well as the space available. Both at the front and at the back, it’s comfortable to endure, even on longer journeys, and it’s particularly pleasant: you can finally stop the spherical assistant Nomi from shutting up if you don’t like it. Then there will be no annoying yet well-intentioned advice to keep your hands off the phone or look at the road. The comfort seats can be placed in a reclining position like on an airplane, for example to be able to relax when reloading or to look at the starry sky through the panoramic roof.
The Nio EL6 offers no surprises when it comes to the drive, as the platform and motors are already familiar from its little brother ET5. While an induction motor with 150 kW / 204 hp works at the front, a more powerful permanent magnet motor with 210 kW / 286 hp on the rear axle provides the majority of the propulsion. The driver can draw on an impressive 360 kW / 490 HP and 700 Nm. That’s not only enough for an image sprint of 4.5 seconds to 100 km/h, but also a comparatively manageable top speed of 200 km/h. Fast enough for the highway, but not much for that much power and, last but not least, driving pleasure that the EL6 conveys despite its generous dimensions. The steering is light and precise – but it lacks the necessary feedback and the corresponding restoring forces that would make driving even more enjoyable. Specially controlled dampers on the front axle ensure that the Nio nods forward significantly less during strong braking maneuvers. The standard consumption of the electric all-wheel drive vehicle, which weighs over 2.2 tons: 20.4 to 22.1 kWh / 100 kilometers. With the small 75 kWh battery pack, the range is around 400 kilometers, while the 100 pack manages almost 530 kilometers to the next charging stop.
But you don’t have to race with the 4.85 meter long Nio EL6 to feel great joy, because the Chinese crossover can score a lot, especially in everyday life. This applies not only to the space available at the front and back, seat air conditioning or an electrically adjustable rear seat, but also numerous comfort functions and a loading space that can be expanded as if by magic from 668 to 1,430 liters. Matrix headlights, a head-up display and electronic damper adjustment are on board as standard. Completely equipped in this way, the basic version of the Nio EL6 with the small 75 kWh battery pack and battery rental costs at least 53,500 euros. If you buy the battery, you will have to pay an extra 12,000 euros for 75 kWh and 21,000 euros for 100 kWh. Anyone who rents the battery pays 169 or 289 euros per month.
