So then – what makes this thing tick? Is it just an overblown blender, or is there more to it? Read on for the details.

Founded in 2014 in Shanghai, China, Nio has quickly grown to become a major industry player, establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of electric vehicles and self-driving technology. Boasting over 2,000 employees spread out over 13 locations globally, Nio is known for creations like Eve, a forward-thinking autonomous concept, and the ES8, a seven-passenger high-performance all-electric SUV, as well as its involvement in the Formula E championship with powertrain support for the Nio 003 race car. However, the start-up is best known for this – the EP9, a high-performance all-electric speed machine aimed squarely at all things quick and internal combustion-propelled. Inspired by the FIA’s Le Mans Prototype regulations, the Nio EP9 is street legal, but has made a name for itself setting some very impressive records on the track, including a sprint around the Nurburgring’s north loop in just 6 minutes, 45 seconds, a run around the Circuit Paul Ricard in 1 minute 52.78 seconds, and a lap of the Circuit of the Americas in 2 minutes 1.11 seconds. Granted, these records were done on track-only slick tires, but it’s impressive stuff all the same.

Exterior

Looks like a sci-fi blockbuster

Honed over the course of 170 CFD simulations

Active aerodynamic elements

Generates double the amount of downforce as an F1 car

Carbon fiber exterior panels

19-inch and 21-inch wheels

Aesthetically speaking, the Nio EP9 is a futuristic, streamlined speed wedge, with a look that screams modern hypercar

Aesthetically speaking, the Nio EP9 is a futuristic, streamlined speed wedge, with a look that screams modern hypercar with its ultra-low, ultra-wide stance, massively flared fenders, and centrally placed cabin. The word “aggressive” would certainly be appropriate here. The EP9 looks like it was plucked from the screen of some sci-fi blockbuster, like it could outrun the baddies in the climax chase scene thanks its insane power and ability to drive upside down. Funny enough, these characteristics hit pretty close to home, as you’ll soon see.

While we think it looks pretty good, it also bears mentioning that the EP9’s exterior is quite functional as well. Nio refined the shape over the course of 170 rounds of computational fluid dynamics simulations, eking out every pound of downforce possible, while simultaneously cutting out every bit of aerodynamic drag.

The crazy aerodynamics

All told, the Nio EP9 makes a ridiculous amount of downforce. Hit all the right settings, then drive it at 149 mph, and this EV will make 5,395 pounds of downforce.

As you might expect, carbon fiber is used for the exterior panels to keep the machine lightweight. There are also active aerodynamics elements to add extra stick at speed. The most prominent component to the aero is the rear wing, which can adjust into three separate positions for either more downforce or lower drag, as the situation may warrant. These positions are labeled as “Park,” “Low Drag,” and “High Downforce.” You can imagine what each looks like in terms of the rear wing’s position. The sizable rear flap comes complemented by a full-length floor diffuser, with a flat undertray and curved slats that extend from the nose to the tail. The large front splitter is adjustable as well.

All told, the Nio EP9 makes a ridiculous amount of downforce. Hit all the right settings, then drive it at 149 mph, and this EV will make double the amount of downforce as a Formula One race car, or 24,000 N (5,395 pounds). That’s like having a full-size adult rhinoceros sitting on the roof, pushing the tires down into the pavement. Go fast enough and you’ll be able to drive it upside down, given the right track, that is.

Sci-fi, indeed.

In the corners, customers are offered both 19-inch and 21-inch wheels, with the former mounting slick tires and the latter mounting street-legal water-channeling rubber.

Interior

Looks like a race car

Carbon fiber tub

Six-point harnesses and fixed-back seats

Same steering wheel as the Formula E car

Four digital screens total

The seats are basically carved out the rear bulkhead, because at the end of the day, the EP9 is essentially a street-legal race car.

Step into the cabin of the Nio EP9, and you’ll be met with a carbon-laden cockpit design that looks very much like what you get in a race car. Seating capacity is limited to two passengers max, and six-point harnesses keep you in place. The steering wheel is actually a simplified iteration of the NextEV’s Formula E racing wheel, and it’s even made by the same company that produces the competition unit. The shape is rather rectangular, with a flat top and a curved lower section, and there’s a trio of buttons to help adjust settings for the ABS, power output, and traction control.

The seats are form fitting, and don’t appear to offer much in terms of adjustability. They’re basically carved out the rear bulkhead, because at the end of the day, the EP9 is essentially a street-legal race car. There’s also contrast stitching added in turquoise, plus lots of black material everywhere else. Further bronzed metal surrounds are added to the center console switch dial and steering wheel center section.

For info purposes, the EP9 incorporates a variety of digital screens, including one in the steering wheel, one behind the steering wheel, one on the center console, and one in front of the passenger seat. These digital readouts relay a good deal of performance data on the fly, with stuff like top speed, lap time, available battery power, active aero settings, road speed, lateral g forces, and even the driver’s heat beat spread across the various screens. These are divided up such that the most important stuff is close at hand (for example, the center screen is used for lap times, a track map, and car’s current position).

Drivetrain

1,341 horsepower (1 megawatt)

1,092 pound-feet of torque

Four independent electric motors

Four separate gearboxes

0 to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds

Top speed is 195 mph

Can replace the battery pack in 8 minutes

Full charge in 45 minutes

265 miles per charge

Providing the juice is a 777-volt powertrain, with four inboard motor generating units, or MGUs, laying down the propulsion

While the advanced aerodynamics and carbon tub interior are definitely impressive, it’s the EP9’s powertrain that truly makes it stand out. Providing the juice is a 777-volt powertrain, with four inboard motor generating units, or MGUs, laying down the propulsion. Peak output is rated at a head-spinning 1,341 horsepower, or 1 megawatt. That means that with one electric motor per wheel, each corner creates 335 and a quarter horsepower, or about the same output as a V-6 Camaro. Per corner.

While the power levels are nuts, the EP9’s torque is equally out of this world. Total twist comes to 1,480 Nm, or 1,092 pound-feet, at the motors, all of which arrives as soon as you put your foot down. The EP9 also includes four individual gearboxes with a 1:4.283 ratio, enabling a higher top speed alongside the traditional earth-shattering acceleration now considered commonplace amongst high-performance EVs.

1 MW? That’s 1,341hp

Peak output is rated at a head-spinning 1,341 horsepower, or 1 megawatt. That means that with one electric motor per wheel, each corner creates 335 and a quarter horsepower, or about the same output as a V-6 Camaro. Per corner.

Properly motivated, the EP9 can hit 62 mph in just 2.7 seconds. The sprint to 124 mph takes 7.1 seconds, and the sprint to 186 mph takes 15.9 seconds. Top speed is rated at 195 mph (313 kph).

If you keep your foot off the throttle, you’ll be able to eke out roughly 265 miles per charge, with just 45 minutes required to bring the battery back up to full. Nio also says you can replace the battery pack in just 8 minutes, which is great if you plan on doing some hot lapping at a local track day. Finally, the EP9 is equipped with a complementary passive cooling system that helps keep the battery pack at the right temperature, thus ensuring peak performance no matter how hard you run it.

Nio EP9 Powertrain And Performance Specs

Drive type All-electric AWD Drive motors Four independent electric motors Transmission Four independent gearboxes Horsepower 1,341 hp (1 megawatt) Torque 1,092 pound-feet Range per charge 265 miles 0 to 62 mph 2.7 seconds 0 to 124 mph 7.1 seconds 0 to 186 mph 15.9 seconds Top speed 195 mph

Chassis And Handling

Carbon fiber chassis

Curb weight of 3,825 pounds

Active suspension components

2.53 g’s of lateral acceleration, 3.3 g’s of deceleration

Twice the brake torque capability of a modern GT3 race car

Carbon ceramic discs, 6-pot calipers

Slick and grooved tires

Its Crazy Aerodynamics Include... 3-position rear spoiler, adjustable front splitter, and full-length floor diffuser

The composite material helps to cut weight, weighing at just 165 kg (364 pounds), a figure Nio says is 70 percent lighter than a steel equivalent

Under the skin, the Nio EP9 comes with a carbon fiber chassis. The composite material helps to cut weight, weighing at just 165 kg (364 pounds), a figure Nio says is 70 percent lighter than a steel equivalent. The fiber is also quite stiff, rated at 30,000 Nm/deg. Then there’s the battery pack, which weighs 635 kg (1,400 pounds), while the extraneous carbon fiber components contribute a further 364 kg (802 pounds). However, even with loads of carbon, the EP9’s quad electric motor and transmission set-up adds a good amount of heft, with the final product weighing in at 3,825 pounds. Not as heavy as you might expect, but not exactly Lotus territory, either.

Still, the EP9 has the right suspension components to at least manage the heft, with active pieces designed by Nio specifically for the EP9 application. There’s four-way adjustability for the dampers, as well as a hydraulic third actuator for a “consistent ride height,” even when cornering at tremendous speeds. The active suspension also works in concert with the active aero to synergize all the various handling tech on board.

It lapped the Nurburgring in 06:45.900 and set an autonomous lap record of 02:40.33 at Circuit of the Americas

Put it into a bend, and Nio says the EP9 will hold the road with 2.53 g’s of lateral acceleration, and stop with 3.3 g’s of longitudinal force.

Additionally, the four separate electric motors help the EP9 produce a ton of AWD grip, while also enabling advanced torque vectoring for sharper cornering. Put it into a bend, and Nio says the EP9 will hold the road with 2.53 g’s of lateral acceleration while traveling at 230 kph (143 mph). It’ll also stop on dime, exerting as much as 3.3 g’s of longitudinal force when applying the binders.

Speaking of which, the EP9’s brakes are totally bespoke for the application. The automaker partnered with noted brake specialist Alcon to create new Surface Transforms carbon ceramic brake discs. The end result is twice the brake torque capability of a modern GT3 race car, with the front rocking large 408 mm by 40 mm (16.1-inch by 1.6-inch) discs, while the rear gets 408mm by 36 mm (16.1-inch by 1.4-inch) discs. Calipers at both ends are 6-pot units. To keep the discs nice and chilly, there’s also carbon fiber air intakes that feed them with fresh atmosphere.

The Nio EP9 is offered with both 19-inch and 21-inch wheels. The wheels are 13 inches wide with the slick-shod 19-inch rollers, and 10.5-inches wide for the street-friendly 21-inchers. Both wheels get slick carbon fiber inlays. The tires are 295/35 for the street compound, and a behemoth 320/705 for the slicks. Both are bespoke compounds, which EP9 helped develop to meet the unique demands of this outrageous EV hypercar.

Prices

Pricing for the Nio EP9 is set at a hefty $1.2 million, with production limited to 16 units total. At least six of those units have already been sold to Nio investors, which means supplies are dwindling if you’re looking to get one in your garage.

Competition

In the world of top-dog performance EVs, the Nio EP9 really only has one peer – the Rimac Concept One. As the production iteration of the E-Runner Concept One that took the fight to internal combustion at the 2015 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, this Croation-built monster has the right stuff to challenge the Chinese competition. It’s a bit heavier, weighing in at 4,079 pounds, but the interior is nicer, with more high-end materials and less of the carbon bunker vibe seen in the EP9. Most importantly, the Rimac comes packing with 1,072 horses and 1,180 pound-feet of torque, good enough for a run to 62 mph in 2.6 seconds, 124 mph in 6.2 seconds, and 186 mph in 14.2 seconds. Top speed clocks in at an astonishing 221 mph.

Read our full review on the 2017 Rimac Concept One.

Granted, this hybrid Stuttgart superstar doesn’t come with an all-electric powertrain, but its still got an EV mode and the performance chops to hang with the EP9, so we think it’s a good match all the same. Carbon fiber reinforced plastic is used for the monocoque, while the interior gets a lovely array of digital screens and soft touch materials. Providing the go is a 4.6-liter V-8 and a pair of electric motors, all of which combine to create 887 horsepower and 940 pounds-feet of torque. A run to 60 mph takes 2.8 seconds, 124 mph in 7.9 seconds, and 186 mph in 23 seconds, with top speed pegged at 211 mph. If you’re looking for even more of the go stuff, get yours with the lightweight Weissach package.

Read our full review on the 2017 Porsche 918 Spyder.

Conclusion

G-forces are multiples of gravity G-forces rear 3.30 when braking and 2.53 when cornering!

While many will bemoan the so-called “death” of internal combustion (a topic for another day, no doubt), machines like the Nio EP9 should at least provide a little bit of comfort. After all, this thing has the goods to keep up with the best of the best from the world of gasoline, with advanced aero, adaptive suspension, and loads of carbon. The powertrain and drivetrain are especially impressive, providing superlative power delivery with high-tech attitude.

We’re especially excited to see mega EVs like the Nio EP9 take on the old guard at major motorsport events like the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, or even just a regular old track day. These are the sorts of places where the transition to electric power will be most evident, put on display in dramatic fashion with tire smoke and crisp lap times, and with feature like 1 megawatt of power and an 8-minute battery swap time, the Nio EP9 should have what it needs to hang.

All told, it’s an exciting time to be into cars, that much is obvious.

Love it Looks like a spaceship Four-digit power Practically dripping with advanced technology

Leave it Extremely expensive Low range per charge No internal combustion soundtrack Interior is a bit spartan



References

2019 Nio EP9 The world’s fastest electric car!

Nio EP9 Sets EV Lap Record At The Nurburgring