Next-gen 2023 Nio ES6: What to Expect

Besides entering new market segments, Chinese startup company’ Nio also plans to upgrade current models to the new NT 2.0 platform. Nio appears to be ready with its next-generation ES6 SUV, going by the pictures that have emerged from China. During the company’s Q3 2022 earnings call in November 2022, Nio Founder, Chairman & CEO William Li confirmed plans to launch five models this year, and the 2023 Nio ES6 should be one of them.

Design

Images from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology have fully revealed the exterior of the 2023 Nio ES6. As expected, the new model features revisions to adhere to the brand’s updated design language, most recently seen on the Nio ES8 Prime, Nio EC7, and Nio ES7.

At the front, Nio has deleted the upper grille of the ES7, while enlarging its lower grille. Along with the slimmer Double-Dash LED DRLs, the upper section looks cleaner. The vertically-stacked headlamps seem to have become narrower. The elegant fascia with the pure and powerful X-Bar looks more sophisticated.

The new rear-end is nearly identical to the ES7, featuring the AirWing tail light. Like on the bigger model, the full-width tail light probably comprises 202 LED modules and sweeps resembling flapping wings.

Interior

The new ES6’s interior may resemble several aspects of the Nio EC7 and ES8 Prime, including the design of the digital displays and dashboard layout. A slightly different (but sportier) steering wheel may also be part of the update, as may bolstered seats and a sportier theme. Along with the NT 2.0 platform, engineers could also improve space utilization, and we’re hopeful that knee room and boot space will get better in the new model.

We expect the next-gen ES6 to feature many of what its previous iteration had – LED ambient lighting, powered front seats with memory function, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, a premium audio system, and an intelligent fragrance system. Having said that, Nio could implement newer technologies inspired by its larger sibling – including a faster wireless charging pad, an uprated head-up display, and a higher-definition main screen.

Safety

Similarly, the next-gen 2023 Nio ES6 should benefit from upgraded safety systems to boost its appeal among buyers. Again, there’s no official statement from the company when it comes to the safety equipment of upcoming models. That said, Nio is already using the ‘Aquila Super Sensing’ system suite in the new ES8 Prime.

The package takes into account a high-resolution LiDAR with 120-degree FOV & up to 500 meters (1,640 feet) of range, 12 ultrasonic sensors, four 3-megapixel high-sensitivity surround-view cameras, seven 8-megapixel high-definition cameras, and Advanced Driver Monitoring System (ADMS) – many of these could be expected in the next-gen ES6. The ‘NIO Autonomous Driving’ and ‘Power Swap Pilot for Highway’ features could be on the books, too.

Specifications

The 2023 Nio ES6 measures 4,854 mm in length, 1,995 mm in width, and 1,703 mm in height. In comparison, the outgoing model is 4,850 mm long, 1,965 mm wide, and 1,731/1,758 mm tall. This makes the redesigned SUV 4 mm longer, 30 mm wider, and 28/55 mm lower. Its wheelbase is 2,915 mm – 15 mm longer than that of the outgoing model (2,900 mm).

Powering the new Nio ES6 are two motors, a 150 kW (201 hp) unit at the front and a 210 kW (282 hp) unit at the rear. The new twin-motor AWD electric SUV has a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph) and offers a towing capacity of 1,200 kg (2,646 lbs.).

The current ES6 is available with two dual-motor AWD powertrains. Both powertrains consist of a 160 kW front unit, but while the base variant has a 160 kW rear unit, the top-end variant has a 240 kW rear unit. The total power of the former is 320 kW and that of the latter is 400 kW.

Aspect	2023 Nio ES6 Specification
Length	4,854 mm (191.1 in.)
Width	1,995 mm (78.5 in.)
Height	1,703 mm (67.0 in.)
Wheelbase	2,915 mm (114.8 in.)
Front Track	1,711 mm (67.4 in.)
Rear Track	1,711 mm (67.4 in.)
Front Overhang	917 mm (36.1 in.)
Rear Overhang	1,022 mm (40.2 in.)
Tires	255/50R20 or 265/45R21
Approach Angle	17°
Departure Angle	20°
Curb Weight	2,306 kg (5,084 lbs.)/2,316 kg (5,106 lbs.)/2,333 kg (5,143 lbs.)/2,336 kg (5,150 lbs.)/2,353 kg (5,187 lbs.)
Gross Weight	2,843 kg (6,268 lbs.)
Towing Capacity	1,200 kg (2,646 lbs.)
Drivetrain Layout	AWD
Front Motor Power	150 kW (201 hp)
Rear Motor Power	210 kW (282 hp)
Top Speed	200 km/h (124 mph)

It’s unclear if the next-gen 2023 ES6 has a larger battery unit. However, given the shift to NT 2.0, every aspect, including charging time and range could see gains. For reference, the current model is available with a 75 kWh battery pack and a 100 kWh battery pack. The former delivers an NEDC range of 455 km in the 320 kW variant and 465 km in the 400 kW variant, while the latter returns an NEDC range of 600 km in the 320 kW variant and 610 km in the 400 kW variant.

Price & Release date

There’s no launch date announced for the new ES6, but as per a CnEVPost story dated January 3, 2023, it’s suggested that the reveal could happen by June 2023. The price is expected to begin at around CNY 386,000 (USD 56,881).

Featured Image Source: China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology