_ BRAND STORY

The all-electric NIO ES8 combines design and quality, offers a powerful acceleration, excellent handling and a high level of comfort. With its length of 5 meters and a width of 2.20 meters with both mirrors folded out, the ES8 belongs to the bigger SUVs. So precision work is called when leaving the underground garage.

We have tested the electric premium SUV in Munich as well in the surrounding area. The ES8 was the companies first vehicle on the Chinese market launched in 2018. Lately the company introduced the ES6, the little brother of the ES8. But now back to our ride. Fully charged the ES8 has a range of 355 kilometers (NEDC). If you just go around the city, the range is absolutely sufficient. But if you take the car on the motorway, it goes down quite fast especially if you drive in the sport mode (optional modes ares comfort, eco and individual). The ES8 offers two charging options, DC and AC. NIO also just started to offer its customers an exclusive charging infrastructure – battery changing stations – so that you can quickly continue your journey.

The ES8 has two electric engines with each 240 kW and a torque of 840 Nm. So with its 650 horsepower and an acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4. seconds, one can imagine how great the driving pleasure is.

NIO places high value on design, which is clearly visible in the exterior and interior design of the ES8. The electric SUV offers highest comfort and stands for a new automotive lifestyle. It feels like a ‘mobile living room’.

The car has a clean yet futuristic and innovative form. NIO managed to perfectly balance this by still adopting classic SUV features. For example the doorhandles are minimalist in its shape and also hidden. The front lights are very narrow and give the car its unique and futuristic look.

The ES8 is luxuriously equipped and extremely spacious. In the front the driver and co-driver sit with a lot of space in front of the slim dashboard, separated by a relatively massive centre console with a ‘pass-through’ at the bottom. The material and handwork is high quality. It all seems harmonious. The seat of the co-driver can be converted into a reclining seat. Besides both front seats have a massage function. These features bring additional pleasure in addition to the whole driving enjoyment.

The digital assistant of NIO is called Nomi, the world’s first in-car AI system. Nomi is your personal companion on board. Unfortunately as the ES8 is only available on the Chinese market, Nomi solely knows Mandarin. So if you want to use it, you need the Google translate app. as a mediator when talking to Nomi. When she speaks, she turns to her conversation partner. While driving and listening to the music, Nomi takes out her rattle or guitar. At first it will take some time to get used to it as its very playful. But then it feels quite familiar while driving. Nomi not only can make grimaces, she can also close the sunroof when it’s raining. Unfortunately we experienced even when using the Google translate app, Nomi not always reacted to us and did what we ask her to do. But if she understands you and does what you want her to do, than its a great feature to have in the car.

So now let’s explore with us the surrounding area of Munich. We take you on the journey in the ES8 and drive with you to a beautiful lake. Get an impression of the mobile living room, the exterior and interior, the riding comfort, the driving pleasure as well as the new automotive lifestyle.

The basic version of the ES8 costs in China converted into euros around 59.000 euros. The Founders Edition, with which we travelled 72.000 euros.

Conclusion: the ES8 is an impressive and well-made electric SUV. The Chinese did not skimp on design or innovation. As the ES8 is like a mobile living room, it is the perfect vehicle when travelling longer distances. However the range is only 355 kilometers and when driving in the sports mode, it goes down super fast. So the worry about the range stays. The ES8 has a great acceleration, offers a high drive comfort with many safety and driver assistance systems. We had a great time with the ES8 in Munich and its beautiful surroundings.

Find more information about the all-new NIO ES8 here.

Pictures and video: Coralia Glavas for ellectric
Text: Britta Reineke