On his trip from China to Norway, the previously highly hyped NIO ET7 made a stopover in the design studios in Ingolstadt-Gaimersheim. We had the opportunity to talk to Ahmad Moslemifar about his “baby”. As the Senior Exterior Designer in the NIO-Studio in Munich, he accompanied the ET7 from the first lines on paper to the presentation at the beginning of this year.
Sabine Metzger, Chefredaktion eMove360° Magazin, mit Ahmad Moslemifar, Senior Exterior Designer NIO
The key terms “pure, human, progressive, sophisticated” are firmly anchored in the NIO-DNA and were also the guideline for the entire design team of the ET7. And it was more than successful. The result is a first-class limousine with many feel-good elements, technical refinements and high-quality materials. A Chinese electric vehicle which can definitely compete with the premium class of German manufacturers. The silhouette of the 5.10 meter long electric sedan is functional, pure and progressive. Nowhere does flashing chrome distract from simple objectivity. The snout is reminiscent of a shark, the interior of a living room. Double-dash daytime running lights, 3D heartbeat rear lights, 33 sensors, ADAM computing system, NOMI as digital assistant and NT2-technology: “We want to celebrate technology,” says Ahmad enthusiastically.
The interior is also pure and elegant: cream-colored leather, a new sustainable, light-grained “Karoon” rattan, warm light and the generous panorama roof create a feel-good atmosphere. A screen appears to float in the middle, there is enough storage space for odds and ends, as well as options for inductive charging of cell phones. The space is more than generous – even for drivers and passengers who are over 1.90 meters tall. However, this enormous legroom is somewhat at the expense of the trunk volume of the 5.10 meter long electric sedan.
NIO starts its market launch in Europe in Norway – initially with the ES8 electric SUV, followed by the ET7. In September, the first NIO House outside of China will open in Oslo’s Karl Johans Gate. NIO Houses have nothing in common with common car dealerships – they see themselves as places where you can meet friends, go out to eat with family or read a book in the library. The focus is not on selling, but on the experience. This is where the NIO community meets and sometimes acts spontaneously as a sales consultant. Whether the concept, which has been very well received in the 26 NIO Houses in China, also works in Europe remains to be seen in Oslo.
NIO would like to inspire German car buyers for the ET7 by the fourth quarter of 2022 at the latest. The Chinese premium electric car manufacturer Nio sees great opportunities in the German market. “Germany is very interesting for us. We want to offer our cars to German customers as quickly as possible,” said Nio founder William Li of the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung”. Values such as up to 480 kW of power, a battery size of 150 kilowatt hours with a range of up to 1000 kilometers as well as all-wheel drive with 653 hp and an acceleration to 100 km / h in 3.9 seconds are already making many car freaks sit up and take notice. Just like the network of own charging and battery exchange stations in Norway and China.
You can read the entire interview with Ahmad Moslemifar and then hopefully further details on price and sales in Germany in the eMove360° magazine, which will be published for the eMove360° EUROPE, 5th International trade fair for Mobility 4.0 electric – connected – autonomous 16-18 November 2021, Messe Muenchen.
Text and Fotos: Sabine Metzger
