2024-02-16 05:44:37
The ET7 luxury car of the young Chinese car brand NIO arrives in Israel with a long technical specification and loaded with fascinating technologies. However, the most revolutionary innovation it brings is not currently useful in Israel. This is a mechanism that allows quick disconnection/connection of the battery, for its quick replacement at robotic battery replacement stations.
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This mechanism eliminates the need to linger for a long time at charging stations during long trips. It also makes it possible to separate the price of the vehicle from the price of the battery, and market the vehicle at a significantly discounted price, when the battery is leased for a monthly payment.
But more important is neutralizing the problem of the accelerated loss of value in an electric vehicle, due to the depletion of the battery and loss of range. Instead of investing tens of thousands of shekels in a new battery, which is embedded in a conventional electric vehicle, NIO allows the battery to be replaced frequently for a monthly fee, and to preserve the value at the time of sale after a few years.
In the meantime, exchange stations have not yet been placed in Israel, and until the service is available, probably in the second half of the year, the ET7 is being purchased and is being tested like any other electric vehicle, which competes in the expensive and rather crowded segment of the premium-saloon electric cars.
exterior design
Unlike some of its competitors in the group, who try to dazzle with a futuristic design, the ET7 has an elegant and quite quiet design. The front has a modest nose with a blocky grill and thin headlights, which look almost like light strips. The most futuristic element in the nose is located precisely in the connection between the windshield and the roof, in the form of an array of sensors for autonomous driving, centered on a laser radar (lidar).
The side profile exudes a flowing and dynamic line, while the rear is somewhat reminiscent of a Tesla, with an almost horizontal rear window, which is located between two massive side pillars. What is definitely not modest are the dimensions: about 5.1 m in length, about 2 meters in width before side mirrors, a wheelbase more than 3 m long and huge rims. It’s hard to ignore this car on the street or in the parking lot.
vehicle interior
The cabin adopts APPLE’s design approach, which can be called “extreme minimalism”. The bright trim surfaces flow from door to door in soft organic lines, almost free of corners and angles, there are almost no physical switches in the driver’s area and even the necessary window opening switches are minimized so as not to spoil the flow. The oval, cream-colored steering wheel blends into the overall background and is equipped with touch pads instead of physical switches. The designers even gave up the traditional glove compartment.
The main multimedia screen is thin and square, rather than rectangular, and presents a well-organized array of menus and graphics, which are also designed for aesthetics and not just functionality. Next to it is a smaller screen, which functions as the dashboard, and is rather rectangular. And although its graphics are also meticulous, it is less impressive.
The only element that breaks the elegant visual sequence is a sort of “avatar” of the car’s artificial intelligence system, which is continuously linked to the cloud. It is a plastic ball, which is placed on the console and a rope on a motorized axis and in front of it is a small display screen, which expresses “emotions” (remember the Tamagotchi?). The system responds to a wide range of commands in English, talks to the driver and passengers in a pleasant voice and displays a variety of “expressions”. All the children in the car, including the inner child in you, will fall in love with her. But in the minimalist environment of the ET7 it looks like something from Ali Express.
The NIO cabin is a very pleasant place to stay for a long time. The seats are wide and well supportive; Shoulder, head and leg room are at the level of luxury limousines; The quality of the finish is spectacular; The noise isolation at all speeds is very impressive and so is the equipment list, which includes, among other things, electric adjustment and massage for all the seats, a serious sound system and more. There are also two panoramic sunroofs, which will warm the cabin in the Israeli summer.
Trunk
The trunk is quite deep, but its loading opening is quite narrow, and the total volume is limited to 363 liters, quite disappointing for a car of this size, which should also carry luggage from time to time.
Engine
NIO does not believe in weakened base versions, and the drive system of the ET7 is also aimed very high. Two engines with a combined power of no less than 653 horsepower and a torque of 85 kg are serious figures by any standard.
Fortunately, there are several degrees of programming, which prevent all this power from being released in daily driving. But when you choose the most sporty programming mode, the pedal becomes super-sensitive and every slight caress of it gives the feeling of a “Dreamliner”, which takes off on an extremely long route, except for the noise of course.
The drive system receives energy from a battery with a respectable capacity of about 100 kilowatt-hours (gross) which should provide a range of up to about 580 km. In the cold weather in which we drove, with heating that is turned on frequently, the real range is around 480-500 km m, and most likely with an air conditioner running in the Israeli summer and frequent use of the sport modes, a range of about 400-450 km would be more realistic.
There is also a fairly efficient system for recycling the energy in braking, but for some reason the fast charging has a modest capacity of up to about 130 kW, significantly lower than some of the competitors in the segment. As mentioned, if and when the replacement of the batteries will be available, this figure will be less relevant.
on the road
On the road the car feels tight and manages to keep the driver in the picture. This is no small matter for a vehicle that weighs 2.45 tons before passengers and cargo.
The computerized suspension maintains a balanced body inclination in turns, the brakes are relatively gradual for an electric vehicle and the steering wheel provides a reasonable feedback.
Of course, with such a width, this is not a car for dynamic pleasures on narrow winding roads, and the truth is that the turning diameter in the city is also very significant, making it difficult to maneuver tightly in parking lots. But she doesn’t feel like a “remote control car”. The air suspensions also do a good job of neutralizing the Israeli asphalt.
price
New is a young manufacturer, aiming high, and so is its price, which starts at about NIS 499,000. Objectively, it is on par with German luxury cars, which cost 25% more, especially when considering the technology and performance.
But the choice of most customers in this segment is completely subjective, and at this price, and before it has established itself, it faces tough competition both against the German and against its Chinese sisters.
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Some of the competitions
BMW I5
The price is from NIS 620,000. A passenger compartment loaded with technologies. The basic version has a single 340 hp engine, a 90 kW battery with a range of up to 550 km and a jump to 100 km/h in 6 seconds.
BMW I5 / Photo: Yeh”c
Mercedes EQE350
Price starting from NIS 589,000. Extraordinary aerodynamic design, respectable dimensions and a luxurious and spacious passenger cabin. A single 292 hp engine and a 90 kW battery with a range of up to 630 km.
Mercedes EQE350 / Photo: Yeh’ach
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