This year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed will see the new NIO ET5 hit UK soil for the first time. Festival goers will be able to see the EV at the Electric Avenue stand.
Although NIO hasn’t yet formally said that its ET5 will go on sale in the UK, an announcement of the car being shown off at Goodwood strongly suggests a launch here is imminent – insiders from NIO have suggested to us that the ET5 should be seen on UK roads by 2025.
NIO has a strong recent history at Goodwood, setting the production car record for the hill climb in its EP9 back in 2018. “We are delighted for ET5 to make its UK debut, here at Goodwood, a location that holds a special place in the story of our growing brand,” says Matt Galvin, NIO UK’s managing director.
The ET5 should come with two battery options. A 75kWh unit that delivers a 283-mile range and a substantial 100kWh one that will get the ET5 to 366 miles, according to the WLTP tests. They take 30 and 40 minutes respectively to replenish from 10 to 80 per cent on a fast charger.
At 4,790mm long and with a 2,888mm wheelbase, the 5’s more compact proportions mean the arching roof (which features a full-length glass panel) is more pronounced, but it tapers aggressively towards the rear, kicking up on the boot lid with a gentle ducktail spoiler that sits above a full-width LED light bar, spanning the boot and the rear wings.
Based on NIO’s next-generation platform, which features a five-link rear suspension set-up, the ET5 features all-wheel drive with a 201bhp electric motor mounted on the front axle and a 281bhp motor on the rear axle, delivering a total of 482bhp and 700Nm of torque for a claimed 0-62mph time of 4.3 seconds. The ET5 also features in-house developed four-piston performance brake calipers.
Inside, the ET5 boasts a minimalist design, with a 10.2-inch digital driver display joined by a 12.8-inch central touchscreen – 5G connectivity features, along with tech such as NIO’s PanoCinema digital cockpit, full digital key technology and 19 safety and advanced driver assistance systems, according to the brand.
The ET5 will be available in nine exterior colours with six different interior themes. Nappa leather trim and ventilated, massage seats will be available as options. A more practical ET5 Touring estate version has also been revealed, with the same battery choices.
NIO confirmed the ET5 features ultra-long-range, high resolution LIDAR sensors as part of its driver assistance tech to boost its autonomous driving capability.
We expect the ET5 saloon to start from around £60,000 with the Touring model commanding a slight premium.
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