NextEV's NIO EP9 is an incredible four-wheel-drive electric hypercar

Chinese electric car start-up NextEV has launched a new sub-brand today, called NIO, and its first car will be this bonkers EP9 electric four-wheel-drive hyper car.

The NIO EP9 reportedly set a new lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in October, completing the 20.8km circuit in seven minutes and five seconds; beating the previous EV time set by the Toyota TMG EV P002.

Four high-performance motors (one for each wheel) and four individual gearboxes give the EP9 a 777-volt powertrain that develops 1 megawatt of power, equivalent to an astonishing 1,341bhp.

The means the EP9 can accelerate from 0-200kph in 7.1 seconds and has a top speed of 313kph or 194mph (0-62 mph is hit in 2.7 seconds, making it slower in this regard than the Tesla Model S P100D, however).
Photo: NextEV
Photo: NextEV
The electric EP9 can be charged to full in 45 minutes (though its interchangeable battery system could allow the cells to be swapped out in just eight minutes) and it has a claimed range of 427km.

A carbon cockpit and chassis aims to cut weight, which is vital because, thanks to that battery supply, at 1,735kg the EP9 comes in almost 200kg heavier than a LaFerrari or a McLaren P1.

Photo: NextEV
Photo: NextEV

NextEV founder and chairman, William Li, said: “The NIO EP9 was born to push limits and is the first stage of automotive production for NIO. It is a statement of our vision and technical and manufacturing capabilities. It showcases what is possible with electric vehilces''.

The company says the car is capable of more than 2.5G lateral force during high-speed corners, while also producing nearly two and a half tonnes of downforce at 150mph (24,000 Newtons of downforce at 240kph).

Photo: NextEV
Photo: NextEV

There is more carbon fibre in the cabin, where the two bucket seats are created out of a single piece of the material, while four displays give off information as the driver steers using a rectangular-shaped F1-style wheel.

NextEV, whose NIO Formula E team won the series’ inaugural drivers’ championship title in 2015, is planning a production run of just six models, and while no prices have been revealed NextEV states that each car costs approximately $1.2 million to build.

Wired

Other News

Vietnam targets at least 10 large strategic technology firms by 2030

Vietnam targets at least 10 large strategic technology firms by 2030

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung has signed a decision approving a plan to develop large domestic strategic technology enterprises in the 2026–2030 period, aimed at advancing digital infrastructure, digital human resources, digital data, strategic technologies and cybersecurity.

Protecting users crucial in building digital trust: Experts

Protecting users crucial in building digital trust: Experts

In Vietnam, digital transformation in the finance and banking sector is accelerating cashless payments, expanding access to financial services, improving market transparency and supporting economic growth and macroeconomic management.

Fostering skilled workforce for innovation era: experts

Fostering skilled workforce for innovation era: experts

Experts said close coordination among State management agencies, research institutes, universities, and businesses will improve training quality and serve the dual goals of quality education and practical research application.

Startup forum bridges Silicon Valley and local innovation ecosystem

Startup forum bridges Silicon Valley and local innovation ecosystem

The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), Saigon Asset Management (SAM), and Plug and Play Tech Centre co-hosted the “From Vietnam to Silicon Valley” forum, exploring AI innovation, venture capital, and pathways to integrate Vietnam’s startup ecosystem with Silicon Valley and global markets.

Experts call for stronger action against fake news online

Experts call for stronger action against fake news online

Experts have warned that fake news, misinformation and harmful online content are increasingly shaping public perceptions, particularly among young people, and stressed the need for stronger legal safeguards, technology tools and wider dissemination of credible information to tackle the problem effectively.

Protecting digital future in post-quantum, AI era

Protecting digital future in post-quantum, AI era

Participants highlighted the importance of building a proactive, synchronised and sustainable national cybersecurity ecosystem through closer cooperation among regulators, technology firms, research institutions and cybersecurity experts.

Vietnam attends SAHA 2026 defence, aerospace exhibition in Türkiye

Vietnam attends SAHA 2026 defence, aerospace exhibition in Türkiye

Vietnam’s participation in SAHA 2026 International Defence & Aerospace Exhibition in Istanbul reflects the country’s consistent policy of enhancing international defence integration and promoting defence industry cooperation towards self-reliance, self-strengthening, modernisation and dual-use development.

SK Group partners to build AI ecosystem in Vietnam

SK Group partners to build AI ecosystem in Vietnam

SK Innovation and SK Telecom signed MoUs with Nghe An province and the National Innovation Centre of Vietnam to advance AI ecosystem development and support the country’s long-term growth strategy.

Vietnam Research Excellence Fellowship for 2026-2030 approved

Vietnam Research Excellence Fellowship for 2026-2030 approved

Under the Vietnam Research Excellence Fellowship (VREF) for the 2026–2030 period, PhD students are identified as a core research force directly contributing to breakthroughs in sci-tech and innovation. Investing in top-tier doctoral candidates is more than workforce development, but a high-stakes strategic bet to forge a cohort of world-class scientists and technologists who can power Vietnam’s long-term economic ambitions.