Nio's unmasked 3rd-gen ES8 hits the streets ahead of its impending unveiling
Nio Unveils Third-Generation ES8: A Premium Electric SUV Packed with Advanced Features
Nio, the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced the launch of its third-generation ES8, a large premium three-row electric SUV. The new model will be officially unveiled at NIO Day 2025, scheduled for September 20, 2025, following a pre-sale event starting August 21, 2025.
The third-generation ES8 boasts a sleek and sophisticated design, setting it apart from its predecessors. It measures approximately 5,280 mm in length, 2,010 mm in width, and 1,800 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,250 mm, making it one of China's largest pure electric SUVs.
Under the hood, the new ES8 features a dual-motor all-wheel drive system, shared with Nio's ET9 sedan. This setup delivers a peak power output of 520 kW (707 hp) and peak torque of 700 Nm. The front motor produces 180 kW and 300 Nm, while the rear motor delivers 340 kW and 400 Nm. This powerful setup enables a 0–100 km/h acceleration in around 3.97 seconds.
The new ES8 comes standard with a 100–102 kWh ternary lithium battery pack, offering a CLTC range of approximately 635 kilometers. A future 120 kWh battery option is planned, supporting up to 5C fast charging rates, which means rapid charging capability (theoretically a full charge in 12 minutes). The SUV also supports ultra-fast charging with a 925V high-voltage architecture and peak charging power of 600 kW, enabling recovery of about 250 km of range in 5 minutes.
In terms of autonomous driving capabilities, the new ES8 is equipped with three LiDAR units, a primary roof-mounted LiDAR with a detection range up to 500 meters, and two 120-degree wide-angle side LiDARs with up to 150-meter range. Additional sensors include a 4D imaging radar and seven omnidirectional 8MP cameras. The SUV is powered by Nio’s in-house Shenji NX9031 autonomous driving chip, which matches the computing power of four Nvidia Orin X chips.
The interior of the new ES8 is equally impressive, offering a large frunk (front trunk) of about 230 liters, a main trunk of 547 liters, expandable to 3,230 liters with seats folded, and luxury features such as an in-car refrigerator and flexible seat configurations. The SUV also features air suspension with ±50 mm adjustable range, offering modes like Easy Entry and Easy Load to adjust vehicle height for boarding or loading.
The third-generation ES8 aims for a competitive position against rivals like the AITO M9 and Li Auto L9, with a starting price of approximately USD 38,990 to 43,000 (around CNY 280,000) post Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) option.
Nio's new flagship SUV is set to compete in a crowded market, with the ET9 as its flagship sedan, officially launched at Nio Day 2024, and the ES9, a new flagship SUV, planned to be launched in the first half of 2026.
The third-generation ES8 will begin arriving at Nio stores on August 21, 2025, marking the start of a new era for Nio's flagship SUV.
