The Nio EP9 has set a new record at the Nürburgring. Earlier this year, we learned that the all-electric car smashed the EV ‘Ring record, running a lap time of 7 minutes 5.12 seconds. Today Nio announced that car has gone even faster – 19.22 seconds faster, to be precise. Its time of 6 minutes 45.90 seconds is quicker than any other production car, beating the prior record-holding Lamborghini Huracán Performante.

How did the EP9 go so much faster this time? Nio says that its last record attempt, in October 2016, was during “inclement” weather. Better weather this time apparently allowed the car to go even faster, with racing driver Peter Dumbreck at the helm. While we’re still waiting on video confirmation of the lap, it’s an incredible achievement for an electric vehicle.

 

To recap, the Nio EP9 has 1,341 horsepower (1,000 kilowatts) of output from its four electric motor/generators. It’s claimed to hit 62 miles per hour (100 km/h) in 2.7 seconds and 124 mph in 7.1 seconds. The top speed is 194 mph.

The car’s racy bodywork produces huge amounts of downforce, and there’s a three-way adjustable wing out back, while four-way adjustable suspension helps keep the car planted. Brakes from Alcon help slow the car, and Nio claims the car can deliver 2.53 g of cornering force at 143 mph.

So, did the Nio EP9 break the production-car ‘Ring record? It depends how you qualify “production car.” Nio is planning to sell the EP9, but in low numbers. Six were already produced for investors, and now another 10 will be made, and they’ll cost an incredible $1.48 million apiece.

The Nio EP9 has also set a record for the fastest autonomous lap time at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), lapping the 3.4-mile track in 2 minutes and 40.33 seconds. And Nio also plans to launch a Tesla Model X-rivaling electric SUV, the ES8, in China.

Source: Nio

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NIO EP9 Breaks the Nurburgring Nordschleife Lap Record




May 12, 2017 02:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time


MUNICH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, the NIO EP9 set a new lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, achieving a lap time of 6m 45.900s (six minutes, 45.900 seconds).

NIO EP9 Breaks the Nurburgring Nordschleife Lap Record


“In October 2016, we aimed to set a new lap record for an electric vehicle with our NIO EP9. In the inclemental weather that the Nürburgring Nordschleife is known for, the EP9 completed two laps of the 20.8 km (12.9m) ‘Green Hell’, one of which was in 7m 05.12s, beating the previous EV lap record, making it the fastest electric car in the world. The EP9’s new lap record is 19.22 seconds faster than its previous lap time. This is a fabulous achievement for NIO and I am very proud of the team that has worked tirelessly to achieve this accolade,” said Gerry Hughes, Head of Performance Program & FE Team Principal, NIO.

The EP9’s 1-MegaWatt of power is equivalent to 1360PS (1342 bhp) and the vehicle has a top speed of 313kph (194mph). The EP9 accelerates from 0-200kph (0-124mph) in 7.1 seconds. Previously, the EP9 has broken or set new track records at four world-renowned racetracks.

Last month, NIO announced that it plans to produce a second batch of ten EP9s, and each one will be made to order. The NIO EP9 is priced at 1.48 million USD.

In March, NIO announced that they will have autonomous electric vehicles in the U.S. market in 2020. The company also unveiled “NIO EVE” – the embodiment of their vision for the future of autonomous cars.

Last month, NIO unveiled the NIO ES8, a full size 7-seater all electric SUV that it will launch for the China market later this year.

“As a company, we were born to push limits. Setting and breaking records with our EP9 is for the sole purpose to show the world that we have the automotive and technical expertise to succeed in the global automotive market. Our vision is to be the best of the next generation of car companies by producing the smartest vehicles in world,” said Padmasree Warrior, CEO, NIO, U.S.

About NIO:

NIO is a global start-up, designing and developing smart, high-performance, premium electric vehicles. NIO has thousands of world-class R&D and design experts from around the world with significant technology and management background from leading automobile and high tech companies. NIO has more than 2,000 employees in San Jose, Shanghai, Munich, London and eight other locations. In October, NIO USA announced that it was issued an Autonomous Vehicle Testing Permit by the California DMV and it would begin testing on public roads under the Autonomous Vehicle Tester Program guidelines as it progresses on its path to bring autonomy to market. Investors include Tencent, Temasek, Baidu Capital, Sequoia Capital, Lenovo, TPG and other world-renowned investment institutions.

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