This Chinese Electric Hatchback Aims to Compete with the Mini Cooper

A Chinese automaker is once again setting new standards for innovation. This time, it’s the Shanghai-based electric vehicle company Nio, renowned for its battery swap and autonomous technology, that’s grabbing attention.

Nio has introduced its new Firefly brand, unveiling its flagship battery electric vehicle (BEV). The upcoming EV is expected to feature removable batteries and autonomous parking capabilities.

Competing with Super-Compacts

The vehicle is designed to compete with super-compacts like the MINI Cooper and Mercedes-Benz smart cars. As CEO William Li mentioned at the company’s annual event in Guangzhou, “We are building the Firefly car to be smarter than the Mini and more Mini than smart cars.”

The car certainly has a charming design, and there are speculations that a battery-as-a-service (BaaS) rental program may be available when it officially launches.

With its three circular headlights and taillights, the small, curved five-door Firefly resembles the Honda e. It also features a glass roof and a frunk behind the engine offering an extra 92 liters (24.3 gallons) of storage. The trunk can hold up to 1,250 liters (330 gallons) when the rear seat backs are folded down.

Color Options and Smart Design for Enhanced Maneuverability

The BEV was unveiled in three colors: lavender, lemon, and beige. It promises a relatively spacious interior while maintaining a tight 4.7-meter (15-foot) turning radius, ensuring excellent maneuverability. “Firefly is highly competitive because it incorporates genuine smart EV technologies, which Nio has been developing over the last decade. We are confident in its competitiveness,” said Li.

In terms of competition, Mercedes’ smart #1 is priced at ¥154,900 (US$21,221) in China, while BMW’s all-electric Mini starts at ¥148,800 (US$20,394). In comparison, the new BEV will have a starting price of ¥148,800 (US$20,394).

Undisclosed Drive System Details and Battery Size Speculation

The company has not disclosed technical details about the new EV’s drive system, so the exact size of the batteries remains unknown. However, it’s clear that these are not the familiar Nio and Onvo 75- and 100-kWh battery packs, as their size would be too large for the compact dimensions of the BEV.

The Firefly is designed to meet the five-star Euro NCAP crash test standards, but no additional technical information has been revealed.

Nio originally stated that Firefly was intended to be offered internationally in an affordable package. To fulfill this promise, Firefly plans to partner with regional collaborators, especially for its upcoming launch in the European market.

While Nio has long aimed to expand its presence in Europe, recent European Commission taxes on Chinese-made EVs have affected these plans. Li acknowledged that these tariffs will “definitely have” an impact on Firefly’s European launch, noting that without the tariffs, the vehicle would have had a stronger chance in the market.

Investing in Infrastructure for Western Adoption

Nio is not only relying on its electric vehicle but is also investing in the necessary infrastructure to facilitate its adoption in the West. According to Li, the company is working on establishing battery-swapping stations across Europe, which would save both time and money.

The cost of setting up these battery swapping stations for the Firefly EV is expected to be one-third of the cost for Nio’s other vehicles in Europe. With global EV growth slowing this year due to infrastructure challenges, addressing these issues ahead of Firefly’s European launch is a strategic move.

When the Firefly is ready, it will be available for order through the Firefly app. The BEV is expected to launch in China in April 2025, followed shortly by its introduction in Europe. Li also mentioned that Firefly will be sold in Europe through local retail partners.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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