Source: NIO

NIO (NYSE:NIO) has unveiled the first official interior images of its third‑generation ES8 SUV. On August 15, 2025, NIO vice‑president Li Tianshu published photos of the cabin and confirmed that pre‑orders for the new model will open on August 21.

The forthcoming ES8 is built on NIO’s NT3.0 platform and is described by the company as an “all‑scenario technology flagship” designed to serve business, family, leisure and travel needs. As one of NIO’s largest vehicles, the third‑generation ES8 promises a roomier, more luxurious interior, faster charging and upgraded driver‑assistance features.

The new ES8 marks a significant evolution for the brand’s original mass‑production model. The previous ES8 NT2.0 (2024) introduced NIO’s second‑generation platform with dual motors, a high‑strength aluminium body and advanced driver assistance.

However, sales declined in 2024 and early 2025 as competitors such as Li Auto’s L9 and AITO’s M9 offered longer extended-ranges and larger cabins. NIO has therefore pushed the NT3.0 ES8 to expand size, improve interior design and integrate the latest sensors and computing hardware.

The new SUV grows to 5,280 mm long, 2,010 mm wide and 1,800 mm high, with a 3,130 mm wheelbase. These dimensions make it one of the largest pure‑electric SUVs sold in China and allow for a six‑seat layout and the largest interior volume of any NIO vehicle.

Source: NIO

One of the key talking points of the official photos is the attention to material quality and colour. NIO will offer multiple interior themes; the example shown features red upholstery extending from the seats to the cargo floor and the backs of the third‑row seats.

The company claims that 52 m² of soft‑touch material wrap the cabin and that the seat embroidery uses more than 120,000 stitches.

The centre “flight‑control island” is decorated with vertical knurling, and the door panels incorporate a NIO star‑track metal speaker grille connected to a bespoke audio‑visual system.

Source: NIO

The instrument panel features a panoramic digital display that runs the width of the dashboard, complemented by a floating central display and an updated NOMI AI assistant as seen in the flagship NIO ET9.

The second and third rows benefit from improved headroom and legroom due to the stretched wheelbase. The rear cargo space can be levelled when seats are folded, and the interior colour themes extend to the boot, emphasising cohesiveness.

Vertical storage cubbies and a redesigned centre console provide additional storage for travel essentials, while a hidden refrigerator and wireless charging pads support long‑distance journeys.

The new ES8 adopts a dual‑motor all‑wheel‑drive system delivering a combined 520 kW of power and over 1,130 N·m of torque.

Built on a 900‑volt 5C platform, the ES8 supports 600 kW DC fast‑charging and can add more than 250 km (c. 155 miles) of range in five minutes.

NIO’s battery‑swap capability remains: owners can swap a depleted pack for a fully charged one in about three minutes.

The NT3.0 platform integrates three LiDAR sensors and a 4D imaging radar, improving detection range and accuracy compared with the NT2.0 ES8’s single LiDAR system.

NIO’s NOP “Navigate on Pilot Plus” ADAS system will be powered by the in-house developed NX9031 chip, replacing four NVIDIA Orin X Drive chips.

Source: MIIT

While the interior photos do not reveal all mechanical specifications, previous MIIT regulatory filings indicate the ES8 will use a 102 kWh ternary‑lithium battery and offer an estimated 635 km (c. 395 mile) range on the CLTC test cycle.

This would extend the 605 km CLTC range achieved by the 2024 ES8. Acceleration is expected to improve from 4.1 seconds to likely below 4.0 seconds for 0–100 km/h thanks to the increased power, though NIO has not released official figures.

Air suspension and a multi‑link rear axle carry over, while the digital chassis supports four‑wheel steering and active anti‑roll to reduce pitch and body roll.

Source: MIIT

Interior comfort features are also upgraded: ventilated, heated and massaging seats are now available in all rows; a 1,000‑W 23‑speaker audio system adds external sound projection; and ambient lighting synchronises with driving modes.

Pricing for the third‑generation ES8 has not been announced. The outgoing 2024 ES8 ranges from 498,000 yuan (c. $69,400) to 598,000 yuan (c. $83,300) depending on battery size.

Given the larger body and triple LiDAR sensors, we can expect the NT3.0 ES8 to continue its premium positioning.

Customers placing pre‑orders after August 21 will likely be asked for a refundable deposit, as NIO typically requires 5,000 yuan (c. $700) to secure early production slots.

First deliveries are anticipated in late September or early October, shortly after the vehicle’s debut at the NIO Day event.

The ES8 holds a special place in NIO’s history: it was the company’s first mass‑produced electric SUV when it launched in 2018, helping establish NIO as the first Chinese premium EV startup brand.

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