Electrifying the Unexpected: The NIO ET5 Touring's Striking Debut Shakes Up the EV Race
Pow! Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to present the star of the most recent online disco party - the electrically-powered wagon that Nio christened as ET5 Touring. Now, if you’re one of those people who enjoy taking a peek at Christmas presents before the 25th, brace yourself because we've got quite the reveal. The show was hosted by none other than Ben Collins - you might remember him from the time he was Stig, an enigmatic speed demon on Top Gear.
Here’s a fun fact: the event was Top Gear themed! So yes, Stiggy took the reins, surrounded by an audience that ooh'd and aah'd at the sight of this new machine. You might want to take a peek at it. While it’s true that Collins is more impressive behind the wheel, his efforts on stage were... well, it's something you'll just have to witness first-hand.
Now, onto the wagon itself. It left quite an impression during its world tour, more so than even the breathtaking sights of Norway. Think of it as an electric-powered palace on wheels - roomy, fast, and downright majestic. Let's delve into some nitty-gritty details here.
The ET5 is a quite lengthy beast, matching its sedan sibling at 188.58 inches (4,790 mm), but here’s where things get exciting. Once you fold down the rear seats, it transforms into a mobile cavern with 44 ft³ (1,247 liters) of storage space. This means it can gobble up everything from a family of snowboards to the band’s equipment for your cousin's wedding. It even has additional storage under the cargo floor and a pair of AC sockets for your gadgets - all rather clever, isn't it?
And while we’re admiring this wonder, let's take a moment to admire the ET5's curves. It looks so natural as if it were always destined to have this silhouette. Placing it next to its sedan sibling makes the latter look rather bare. So whether it dominates the sales charts or not, one thing is certain: it's got a spot in the wagon hall of fame right alongside the swoon-worthy Audi RS6 Avant.
But don’t worry, it’s not just a pretty face. It also packs a wallop under the bonnet. The ET5 Touring houses the same all-wheel-drive, 360 kW (or 483 horses, for those who like old-school lingo) powertrain as its sedan sibling. And it's quite nippy, I must say, as it goes from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in 4 seconds flat. Our very own Stig suggests it could go even quicker, down to 3.8 seconds in ideal conditions. In short, it’s fast.
Now imagine taking the kiddies to school in this beast. It’s like riding a rollercoaster to class every morning - even the sleepiest of youngsters would be clambering at the door for their electrifying morning adventure. What Nio has created here is not just a wagon, it’s a wake-up call with wheels.
On the road, the ET5 is nothing short of a 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) torque monster, always on the prowl for a bit of right-footed mischief. The company claims a range of 367 miles (590 km) with a 100 kWh battery pack, but let’s be honest - with a wagon this fun, who's going to drive it like a saint?
Orders for the ET5 Touring are open as of today, with deliveries set to start in the 4th quarter in Europe. It’s priced at the current exchange rate of $63,800 (€59,500) for the 75 kWh version with a range of up to 280 miles ( 450 km) and $75,000 (€68,500) for the 100 kWh variant. Alternatively, if you fancy a bit of financial creativity, you can purchase the car without the battery for $52,000 (€47,500) and rent the battery on a monthly basis - $185 (€169) for 75 kWh and $316 (€289) for 100 kWh.
The final, intriguing bit is Nio's network of battery swap stations. This emerging tech suggests a future where replacing your car's battery could be as normal as scrolling through your social media feed. Sure, the Nio might look a bit pricey at first, but given the mountain of goodies it comes with, it's pretty darn reasonable. Especially when you consider its speed matches that of a rocket, and its comfort levels are on par with a first-class cabin.
In the grand prix of electric vehicles, Nio's ET5 Touring could be the unexpected comet streaking across our night sky. And honestly, who doesn't enjoy a shooting star stealing the show?
Yours truly,
Captain Electro.
