Firefly EV – RHD version confirmed for Singapore; Nio’s affordable sub-brand coming to Malaysia next?

Nio has announced that the right-hand drive (RHD) version of its Firefly EV will be ready by October, and that it’ll first be available in the UK and Southeast Asia, with a Singaporean distributorship expected to be signed this week, reports CnEVPost.

Nio co-founder and president Qin Lihong said at a media roundtable in Shanghai today that the carmaker’s new sub-brand (also called firefly) will pick the right time between June and August to launch in Europe, and that it will be in about 20 overseas markets by year-end. The MINI– and smart-fighter launched in China earlier this month in two variants, priced at RMB119,800 (RM72k) and RMB125,800 (RM75k) respectively.

These prices include the battery, but Chinese buyers will soon be able to purchase the car without the battery, renting it instead through a battery-as-a-service (BaaS) programme, which should reduce the price by tens of thousands of yuan, CnEVPost reports.

Features include swappable batteries (in collaboration with CATL), a 4.7-metre turning radius, a 92-litre frunk, a 1,250-litre boot volume with the rear seats folded, a five-star C-NCAP safety rating, an 83.4% high-strength steel body, a 35,700 Nm/degree torsional rigidity, nine airbags and ADAS.

Design-wise, the Firefly hatchback gives off Honda e vibes, with standout cues being distinctive ‘trio’ head and tail lamps. The EV was penned by Nio’s design vice president Kris Tomasson, who has worked before at BMW and Ford. The minimalist interior features two large displays and a two-spoke steering wheel.

At 4,003 mm long, 1,781 mm wide and 1,557 mm tall, with a 2,615 mm wheelbase, the five-seat Firefly is very slightly smaller all round than a BYD Dolphin, but bigger than a BYD Seagull/Dolphin Surf. What are your thoughts on something like this for Malaysia?

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.