On August 21, NIO officially opened pre-orders for its all-new ES8, offering three variants. The pre-sale price for an outright purchase ranges from $58,168 to $63,968, while the battery lease option starts at $43,232 to $48,832 (base price with battery lease begins at $30,880). This comprehensive upgrade transforms the ES8 into a full-size SUV with significant enhancements to its exterior design, interior, features, space, and overall luxury appeal.

The exterior showcases a higher "Shark Nose" front fascia that masterfully blends sharp angles with smooth curves, giving the vehicle both the aerodynamic silhouette expected of an EV and a powerful, muscular presence—truly exemplifying the combination of strength and elegance.

A fully sealed grille minimizes the drag coefficient, while the robust and tautly styled hood lends the front end a commanding look. The area below the license plate features a black finish and retains an intake for cooling purposes. A prominent silver accent bar clearly identifies this as a flagship all-electric SUV.

The new model employs a split-type headlight setup that delivers a striking visual impact. The vertical light units on the lower bumper impart a more authoritative look compared to curved designs. The light clusters also incorporate two projection devices, enhancing the vehicle's interactivity. While the daytime running lights (DRLs) aren't a single full-width strip, the two-section design remains highly distinctive when illuminated.

Similar to the Onvo L90, the vehicle is equipped with a massive front trunk (frunk) offering 230 liters of capacity. With a maximum opening width of 915mm and a depth of 503mm, it easily accommodates two 20-inch suitcases and two backpacks. The frunk can be opened from inside the cabin, from outside, or remotely, providing exceptional convenience.

Furthermore, the new ES8 increases its sensor count to 31 high-performance units, including roof-mounted LiDAR and front camera. New wide-angle LiDAR sensors have been added to the front fenders, comprehensively boosting the vehicle's recognition capabilities.

Dimensions and Exterior Features

With this update, the NIO ES8 has evolved from a mid-to-large-size SUV into a full-size SUV. Its dimensions are now 5280mm long, 2010mm wide, and 1800mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3130mm. The vehicle's profile appears longer and more voluptuous, complemented by a floating roof design that enhances its streamlined appearance.

Beyond the new LiDAR on the front fenders, the lower door sections feature silver trim that further emphasizes the ES8's flagship status. The vehicle retains retractable door handles for convenient access.

The ES8 rides on all-new 22-inch forged signature alloy wheels. The multi-spoke design amplifies its luxurious character. Thanks to the increased overall size of the vehicle, these 22-inch wheels look perfectly proportionate, giving it a presence that rivals other flagship large SUVs.

The rear design takes a more conservative approach, featuring a full-width taillight bar of even thickness that contributes to a substantial, planted look. The rear bumper incorporates a silver accent, creating a cohesive link with the rest of the vehicle. A power tailgate comes standard. The trunk offers 547 liters of capacity, including a deep storage well, allowing it to hold eight 20-inch suitcases and one 14-inch children's suitcase.

Premium Interior and Technology

Inside, the all-new ES8 receives comprehensive upgrades in materials, layout, and technology. The immersive cabin feels like a work of art. The wraparound design theme extends beyond the front row to envelop all three rows, using premium upholstery, ambient lighting, and other elements to create a warm and luxurious environment.

With over 52 square meters of soft-touch materials throughout the cabin, it sets a leading standard in the industry—exactly what's expected from a luxury flagship SUV. It also features 16 dynamic ambient lighting effects that can be matched to nine artistic themes and comes standard with the same NAPPA leather found in the ET9, showcasing its premium ambiance at every turn.

The new model features a 15.6-inch central infotainment screen, adopting a horizontal orientation like the ET9 to better suit user preferences. The system operates with high responsiveness and supports online navigation, entertainment, smartphone connectivity, remote vehicle control, and OTA updates.

The NOMI AI assistant has also been upgraded and optimized. With six independent voice zones inside the cabin and three external microphones, NOMI can be easily activated from any seat. Deep integration of a large language model allows it to generate dynamic scenarios and retain memory, functioning as an efficient, enthusiastic, and personalized companion.

Additionally, the car is equipped with a 38-inch AR-HUD and a 27-speaker sound system with an 8.1.4.2 surround sound configuration, delivering a comprehensively upgraded audio-visual experience. As befits a flagship model, a built-in refrigerator comes standard. The 8.8L unit can cool to as low as -2°C or heat to 55°C, catering to various user needs.

Exceptional Seating Comfort

The seats in the new ES8 are particularly impressive. The front seats use high-quality materials and offer excellent support, bolstering, and ergonomics, alongside heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The passenger seat also features the "Flymode" zero-gravity recline, matching the feature found in the ET9.

The second row features two individual seats whose comfort rivals that of premium MPVs. Their adjustability, in terms of range and modes, is class-leading, offering up to 26-way adjustment. The right-side second-row seat can also slide sideways by 150mm, and even the armrests are heated, demonstrating meticulous attention to detail.

Another highlight is the seat control interface, which adopts an "Aircraft-inspired Control Island" design. All seat adjustment buttons are integrated into the door panels, making them incredibly intuitive to use and eliminating any fumbling to find controls.

The new ES8 is also equipped with a 21.4-inch MINI LED rear entertainment screen with narrow bezels, a 16:9 aspect ratio ideal for viewing, and 3K resolution. It includes anti-motion-sickness and blue-light-reduction eye protection modes, making it safer and more enjoyable for children to watch content in the back.

The new ES8 will be available in both 6-seat and 7-seat configurations. The third row offers exceptionally generous space, with wider, softer seats whose backrests are adjustable through a significant range—up to 130 degrees—far exceeding what's typical for most third-row seating arrangements.

Performance and Range

For powertrain, the all-new ES8 features a dual-motor setup. The front motor delivers 180 kW and 300 N·m, while the rear motor produces 340 kW and 400 N·m, enabling a 0-100 km/h sprint in 3.97 seconds. It comes standard with a 102 kWh battery pack, providing a range of up to 635 km (CLTC).

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