Nio EL7: Features, Specifications, Price & Release Date

Update: ‘Price & Release Date’ section updated with information about the domestic launch.

Strengthening its presence in the electric SUV category, Nio has unveiled its fourth high-riding model, the Nio ES7. Called Nio EL7 in Europe, the new-generation SUV is placed below the ES8 in the Hefei-headquartered brand’s line-up.

Name

Nio is reportedly facing a trademark infringement lawsuit from Audi for the ES6 and ES8 names. For years now, the German automaker has been selling the S6 and S8. On October 7, 2022, Sina Technology reported that the company launched the ES7 with a different name (EL7) in Europe “to avoid affecting the interests of European users.”

Exterior

Dimensions

The Nio EL7 is an SUV longer than the Nio ES6 but shorter than the Nio ES8. Notably, its wheelbase is longer than the ES6. The currently available five-seat electric midsize SUV is 4,850 mm (190.9 in.) long, 1,965 mm (77.4 in.) wide, and 1,731 mm (68.1 in.)/1,758 mm (69.2 in.) tall, and it has a 2,900 mm (114.2 in.)-long wheelbase.

The EL7 is 4,912 mm (193.4 in.) long, 1,987 mm (78.2 in.) wide, and 1,720 mm (67.7 in.) tall. It’s a five-seat SUV with a wheelbase of 2,960 mm (116.5 in.). Below are the rest of the dimensions:

Aspect	Nio EL7 Dimension
Length	4,912 mm (193.4 in.)
Width	1,987 mm (78.2 in.)
Height	1,720 mm (67.7 in.)
Wheelbase	2,960 mm (116.5 in.)

Design

The Nio EL7 features an almost entirely closed-off front-end. Where most SUVs have a radiator grille for cooling their engine, this all-electric model has a concave body panel that is smooth and not only reflects an EV’s simplicity but helps it be more aerodynamic. There’s an A-shaped wide air intake in the lower portion and a faux skid plate under it.

The EL7’s styling aligns with the design language of Nio SUVs like the ES8 and ES6. However, its nose appears much cleaner, thanks to the lack of a radiator grille. The two-tier headlamps consisting of a thin DRL strip on the top and vertically stacked main lights positioned separately below instantly make the prototype recognizable as a future Nio vehicle. The design and layout of the sensors mounted on the roof strengthen that speculation.

Like the ET5, the EL7 features a LiDAR flanked by two high-resolution cameras at the front of the roof, and a high-resolution camera integrated into a shark-fin antenna at the rear. Another highlight at the rear is an ‘Air Wing’ wing-shaped tail light stretching across the width, consisting of densely arranged 202 LED modules. Squarish wheel arches, two-tone alloy wheels, flush door handles, and a two-tone paint scheme are among the other exterior highlights of the EL7.

Interior

The interior of the Nio EL7 looks quite similar to that of other NT2.0 platform models: ET7 and ET5. Embodying the familiar second living room concept, it features a sophisticated yet low-profile appearance. The EL7 is Nio’s first model featuring Clean+ Nappa leather, which uses coffee shells as a natural tannin. This eco-friendly leather is 100% free of acids, aldehydes, and chrome. The rear seats feature heating and a 23-31° power-adjustable seatback.

The EL7 has a sleek and curvy horizontal dashboard with the NOMI AI system in the center, a bridge-type center console, a compact steering wheel, and two free-standing screens – a compact instrument cluster in landscape orientation and a large central display in portrait orientation. PanoCinema, Nio’s AR/VR compatible digital cockpit system, is standard in the EL7. Nio and NREAL (an augmented reality device company) have jointly developed custom AR glasses that can project a 201-inch screen at 6 meters. These AR glasses, along with the EV’s 256-color digital waterfall ambient lighting and 7.1.4 channel, 23-speaker, 1,000-watt sound system with Dolby Atmos, provide the occupants with a lot of high-end entertainment choices on the go.

NIO Autonomous Driving (NAD) is available in the EL7. Nio Aquila Super Sensing, featuring 33 sensors, including a LiDAR, seven 8MP cameras, four 3MP light-sensitive cameras, one Advanced Driver Monitoring System, five millimeter-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, GPS, IMU, and V2X, allow autonomous driving in the new electric SUV.

Platform & Specifications

The EL7 is developed on the Nio Technology Platform 2.0 (NT2.0 platform) that debuted in the ET7 and underpins the ET5 as well. The electric SUV boasts an even (50:50) weight distribution between the front and rear axles that should help handling.

Before Nio unveiled the EL7 (ES7), data from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) had revealed that Lithium-ion and Lithium Iron Phosphate battery packs from CATL-owned Jiangsu Times New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and a Lithium-ion battery pack from Suzhou ZENIO New Energy Technologies Co., Ltd. will be available.

Nio has announced the EL7 with 75 kWh, 100 kWh, and 150 kWh battery pack options. Initially, it is offering only the 75 kWh and 100 kWh units, though. Nio expects these units to deliver a WLTP range of 394 km (245 miles) and 513 km (319 mi), respectively.

At NIO Berlin 2022 held on October 8, 2022, Danilo Teobaldi, Vice President, Vehicle Engineering, Nio, said that the 150 kWh battery pack will become available in Europe in 2023. We expect the future variant to deliver a WLTP range of well over 750 km (466 miles).

Aspect	Nio EL7 Specification
Length	4,912 mm
Width	1,987 mm
Height	1,720 mm
Wheelbase	2,960 mm
Seating Capacity	5
Trunk Volume	658-1,545 liters
Drivetrain Layout	AWD
No. of Motors	Two
Front Motor Power	180 kW (241 hp)
Rear Motor Power	300 kW (402 hp)
System Power	480 kW (643 hp)
System Torque	850 Nm (1,139 lb.-ft.)
Battery Pack	75 kWh/100 kWh/150 kWh
WLTP Range (Nio-estimated)	75 kWh – 394 km (245 miles) 100 kWh – 513 km (319 mi) 150 kWh – (TBA in 2023)
WLTP Energy Consumption (Nio-estimated)	As low as 18.3 kWh/100 km (18.3 kWh/62 mi)
Drag Coefficient	0.263 Cd
Acceleration (0-62 mph)	3.9 seconds
Braking (62-0 mph)	33.9 meters
Towing Capacity (with Trailer Package)	2,000 kg (4,409 lbs.)

A 180 kW motor at the front and a 300 kW motor at the rear are standard in the EL7. Together, these motors produce 480 kW (643 hp) of power and 850 Nm (1,139 lb.-ft.) of torque. A 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint takes just 3.9 seconds. According to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the EL7 (ES7) has a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph).

Release Date & Price

As per Klikk.no, the Nio EL7 is expected in Norway in February 2023, and the brand has listed the car on the local website. In Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands, the EL7 is a subscription-only model. According to a report Sina Finance released on October 10, 2022, many prospective customers in these European markets are disappointed with Nio for not allowing them to purchase the EL7 and find the monthly subscription fee under the lease plans too high.

TopElectricSUV says

The sleek, high-tech, and futuristic-looking mid-large electric SUV offers plenty of space, premium comfort and convenience features, and advanced autonomous driving functions. The 150 kWh battery option arriving next year could make the Nio EL7 the undisputed range champion in Europe.

Featured Image Source: MIIT