NIO ET5 bows with specs, pricing and availability data

Chinese automaker NIO has unveiled its newest all-electric liftback, the ET5, which is destined to rival the Tesla Model 3 with its digital cockpit and up to 1,000 km (620 miles) of range.

At 4,790 mm (187.1 in) long, 1,960 mm (76.5 in) wide and 1,499 mm (58.5 in) tall with 2,888 mm (112.8 in) of wheelbase, the ET5 is slightly larger than the Model 3. It also boasts a low drag ratio of just 0.24.

The exterior of the car resembles that of the larger ET7 model introduced in January: note, among other things, the frameless doors with pull-out handles. The cabin looks minimalistic and comes with a PanoCinema Digital Cockpit that supports VR and AR technologies.

The latter bit isn’t just a bunch of buzzwords. NIO has worked together with Nolo and NREAL to make AR and VR goggles compatible with the car, claiming that a parked EV is a prime opportunity to submerge into virtual reality. The occupants will also know to appreciate an ambient lighting system with 256 color settings and a Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 audio system.

Like the ET7 before it, the new liftback has everything required for autonomy: 11 cameras, a lidar, and an Nvidia chipset. The total driver aid count is 19.

Power comes from dual electric motors jointly rated at 483 PS (476 hp / 355 kW) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. Getting from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 4.3 seconds, and the car has a brake path of 33.9 meters (111.2 feet) from that speed.

Batteries come in three sizes: 75, 100, and 150 kWh. CLTC-rated driving range amounts to 550, 700 and 1,000 kilometers, respectively (342, 435 and 621 miles).

Aside from China, the ET5 will also be released in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. The manufacturer claims it was designed to pass EuroNCAP tests with the top five stars.