NIO officially launched in the UAE, flagship EL8 now available

by Marouf Hussain Chowdhury. October 29, 2024.

Asian Car News

NIO has introduced the EL8, its smart electric flagship SUV, to the UAE, the brand’s first market in the region. This follows the announcement earlier this month of the formation of NIO in the Middle East, a joint venture with its Abu Dhabi-based partner, CYVN Holdings.

Founded in November 2014, NIO serves over 598,000 users across China and Europe. 2023 was a good year for them, as they sold 107,000 vehicles to the brand.

Mohammed Maktari, CEO of NIO MENA, expressed his excitement about the launch, stating, “As we introduce NIO and EL8 in the UAE, we embark on a new journey towards shaping a brighter, more sustainable future together with our users.

“This launch is a testament to our mission, ‘Blue Sky Coming,’ and a reflection of NIO’s commitment to delivering innovative technology and exceptional user experiences.

“The UAE is a hub of progress, making it the ideal place to begin our expansion in the MENA region. With our premium smart electric vehicles, we aim to redefine the future of mobility here and inspire a new era of environmentally conscious innovation.”

Sustainability

NIO is committed to producing zero-emission electric vehicles that reduce human reliance on fossil fuels, thereby contributing to a cleaner environment. The company’s groundbreaking battery-swapping technology minimizes waste and promotes resource efficiency by extending battery lifespans.

Furthermore, NIO is actively working on renewable energy solutions to power its infrastructure, ensuring its commitment to sustainability extends beyond the vehicles themselves. Through its Clean Parks initiative, NIO collaborates with organizations like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to support global natural conservation.

NIO Technology

With its own research and development capabilities, NIO has developed NIO Full Stack, a collection of 12 technology domains. With over 11,000 employees working in R&D, NIO has collectively filed over 9,100 patents globally.

All NIO vehicles have SkyOS, a platform that manages various vehicle functions, from autonomous driving and smart cabins to connectivity and digital cockpits.

“NOMI” is part of advanced in-car technologies and is an in-built AI system designed to enhance the driving experience.

NIO’s intelligent Banyan system enables all the innovative functionality and constantly refreshes rich content features through over-the-air (OTA) updates. “NIO ADAM” supercomputing is the brain of every NIO, while “Aquila Super Sensing” is the eye responsible for obtaining useful driving information. Using NIO’s full-stack technology algorithms, Aquila processes data from 33 cameras and sensors to offer a complete picture of the dynamic environment around the vehicle.

NIO models also benefit from the industry’s furthest-detecting mass-product LiDAR, which can reach a maximum detection distance of 500 meters. 8 MP high-resolution cameras see further with finer detail, detecting vehicles 680 metres away, pedestrians 220 metres away, and traffic furniture such as cones 160 metres away. These technologies redefine the standards of intelligent driving sensing systems on production model cars.

In addition, “NIO Power” addresses range anxiety by allowing users to use NIO’s battery swap technology, where batteries can be replaced in as little as three minutes. These Power Swap Stations will be introduced in key locations across the UAE over the coming months, providing drivers with a charging solution that is as fast as refuelling. NIO also offers NIO Power Home chargers for owners who want to charge at home.

NIO Community building

To enhance the user experience and build a community, NIO has created different verticals, which include the NIO App, NIO Life, and NIO House.

The NIO App, available from launch, is a digital hub for car-related services like remote control, air conditioning pre-cooling, charging, and maintenance. It also allows users to share car ownership experiences.

NIO’s lifestyle brand, NIO Life, focuses on using sustainable materials and eco-friendly practices, aligning with its mission of a greener future.

The first NIO House in the MENA region will open later this year in The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. A “living room” for NIO users and friends, NIO House is more than a showroom, allowing visitors and owners to hang out at the NIO cafe and share their experiences.

NIO EL8

NIO EL8 has arrived in the UAE and is the brand’s most advanced and luxurious six-seat flagship SUV, blending technology, design, and performance.

Sustainability is central to EL8’s design. Inside, it features sustainable rattan and soybean foam seat cushions, as well as a roof headlining made from the world’s first plant-based woven suede, created using sugar cane and castor oil.

EL8’s intelligent all-wheel-drive system employs 180 kW (Front) and 300 kW (Rear) induction motors with the world’s first dual three-phase topology inverter to improve peak performance and reliability. Delivering 850 Nm of torque, 0 to 100 kph, is achieved in just 4.1 seconds. Its Long Range (100 kWh) swappable battery can achieve a range of up to 510 km WLTP.

EL8’s exterior blends signature NIO design features such as the Double Dash front lights, X-Bar front lights, and full-width taillights. The vehicle’s signature straight, full-length shoulder line, flush windows, fender-integrated cameras, ‘invisible’ roof rails, invisible turn signals, and hidden front and rear wipers add to its premium look.

NIO’s in-car fragrance system further enhances the cabin environment. The EL8 debuts ‘Forest’, a new sensory experience that brings the enduring freshness of the woodland inside. The 174 LED ambient waterfall lighting, 23-speaker, and 2,300W surround sound system further stir the senses. It also features Dirac Pro and Dolby Atmos technologies.

NIO EL8 Price

The EL8 is available in five sky-themed exterior colours and three earth-inspired Nappa leather interior choices. It has a standard Premium Comfort Package (first- and second-row massage function and second-row ventilated seats). Options include vibrant 21-inch or forged 22-inch wheels, orange-painted Brembo brake callipers, an electrically deployable towbar, and NOMI Mate. The EL8 is available now from AED 359,900.