Skip to main content

NIO ET5 Orion spotted as Porsche rivaling EV crossover ahead of 2024 debut

NIO’s new “ET5 Orion” electric crossover was spotted in Norway during a press shoot, and at a glance, you may mistake it for a Porsche.

NIO to challenge Porsche, premium EVs with ET5 Orion

Chinese EV pioneer NIO has ambitious plans to expand outside its home market. The automaker first revealed plans to expand its European presence in 2021, beginning in Norway.

After launching the ET5, its second electric sedan, NIO said it would expand further into Europe, including the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and eventually Germany.

NIO upscaled its presence in March with its first battery swap station in Denmark, capable of supporting five different European countries.

More recently, NIO’s CEO, William Li, explained he had great respect for German luxury automakers like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW, and Audi. Yet, regarding electric cars, Germany lags behind China in terms of technology and software.

Although NIO has plans for a new mass-market EV brand aimed at Europe, the automaker’s UK expansion will begin with the ET5 sedan and new electric crossover called the ET5 Orion, according to Autocar.

nio-et5-orion
NIO ET5 Orion electric crossover spotted during a media shoot (Source: Autocar)

NIO ET5 Orion spotted ahead of European debut

A source told Autocar the name of NIO’s new electric crossover would be the ET5 Orion, and it looks a lot like the premium German automakers Li said he respects. Li explained:

It’s a very beautiful car. It has a lot of interior space, including rear head room.

According to filings with the China copyright authority, the ET5 crossover is 4,790 mm long, 1,960 mm wide, and 1,499 mm tall. The Orion model is expected to be similar to the ET5 sedan version. The ET5 sedan features a 201 hp (150 kW) induction front motor and 281 hp (210 kW) permanent magnet rear motor for a combined output of 482 hp (360 kW).

The new model will rival current EVs, including the Tesla Model 3 and Porsche Taycan, and the upcoming BMW i5 touring.

According to a new report from Reuters, Chinese EV imports in Germany more than tripled in the first three months of 2023 as buyers look for the latest tech and software.

In the first quarter, 28.2% of electric cars imported into Germany came from China, compared to only 7.8% last year.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Stay up to date with the latest content by subscribing to Electrek on Google News. You’re reading Electrek— experts who break news about Tesla, electric vehicles, and green energy, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow Electrek on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our YouTube channel for the latest reviews.

Comments

Author

Avatar for Peter Johnson Peter Johnson

Peter Johnson is covering the auto industry’s step-by-step transformation to electric vehicles. He is an experienced investor, financial writer, and EV enthusiast. His enthusiasm for electric vehicles, primarily Tesla, is a significant reason he pursued a career in investments. If he isn’t telling you about his latest 10K findings, you can find him enjoying the outdoors or exercising

Manage push notifications

notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications
notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications