It was a soft, misty morning in the Bergisches Land, one of Germany’s lesser-known, yet stunningly beautiful regions. A rolling landscape of hills and meadows, dotted with small forests, ancient villages, and winding roads that seem made for discovering how a car really behaves away from the sterilized conditions of a test track.
And that’s exactly why I was here with what could very well be the most ambitious electric car out of China to date: the Nio ET9. You might think this is just another EV aiming to take on the usual suspects, but no. The ET9 is here to challenge not only the BMW i7 or Mercedes S-Class, but also the likes of Bentley Flying Spur and Mercedes-Maybach S 680.
A bold claim? Certainly. But after a day spent exploring both narrow village lanes and sweeping autobahn sections through this undulating part of Germany, I can tell you this: the ET9 isn’t just reaching for the stars. It might already be flying among them.
Welcome to the ET9: The Flagship That Thinks It’s an Airplane
You could tell Nio wanted to make a statement the moment you see the ET9 in person. At 5.32 meters long and nearly 2 meters wide, this is a car that has presence. But unlike some of its overly decorated German rivals, the ET9 achieves that presence through sculpted simplicity. A low, wide stance, minimal lines, clean surfaces, with muscular rear haunches that hint at the enormous capability underneath.
But the true magic lies where you can’t see it: in the SkyRide suspension, in the 48-volt hydraulic dampers, and in the wealth of steer-by-wire and rear-axle steering tech that transforms this giant limo into something far more agile than you expect.
On The Road: Serenity Meets Agility in The Bergisches Land
The first thing I noticed as I rolled the ET9 out of the village of Wipperfürth was how uncannily serene it felt. You glide rather than drive. The hydraulic suspension recalculates its trim 1000 times per second, absorbing imperfections before your body even perceives them.
Cobblestone streets in the village center? They might as well have been marble. Potholes, frequent after a harsh German winter, were ironed flat beneath the car’s calm float.
As I climbed towards Schloss Burg, a medieval castle perched atop the wooded hills, I dialed in a slightly more dynamic drive mode. This is where the ET9 surprised me most: despite weighing in at well over three tons, this car can dance.
The rear-axle steering makes tight village corners and hairpins feel manageable. The steer-by-wire system, eerily precise and without a physical link between wheel and tires, allows fingertip control at both low and high speeds. You sense the engineers put in serious work to tune the feedback and weighting to mimic a traditional setup, and mostly succeeded.
On faster stretches towards Remscheid, where the hills turn into fast flowing curves, the ET9 continued to defy its size. The low center of gravity from the battery pack and the ultra-rapid dampers kept body roll minimal, even under aggressive lane changes and sweeping autobahn curves. I could hustle it along at speeds I’d normally reserve for a far smaller performance sedan.
Under the Skin: A Technological Tour de Force
Here is where things get truly impressive. The ET9 isn’t merely trying to copy German luxury, it’s moving the game forward, especially in chassis intelligence and battery charging.
Let me show you the core technical specs:
We get all technical info directly from Nio’s official websites to keep it accurate and reliable.
| Specification | Nio ET9 |
| Powertrain | Dual electric motors (front & rear) |
| Front Motor Power | 245 hp |
| Rear Motor Power | 462 hp |
| Combined Power Output | 707 hp (520 kW) |
| Combined Torque | 700 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 100 kWh or 120 kWh |
| Max DC Charging Power | 600+ kW (for 120 kWh battery) |
| Platform Voltage | 900+ V |
| 0–100 km/h | 4.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 220 km/h |
| Estimated Range (China cycle) | 650–750 km |
| Suspension | SkyRide active hydraulic dampers (48V) |
| Steering | Steer-by-wire + rear-axle steering |
| Length | 5320 mm |
| Width | 1999 mm |
| Height | 1500 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3250 mm |
| Curb Weight | ~3000 kg |
| Price in China | ~€100,000 equivalent |
Two things especially stood out during my drive. First, the battery and charging system. The 120 kWh pack can add 250+ km of range in just five minutes at one of Nio’s ultra-fast 600 kW chargers. That’s faster than anything I’ve tested so far. Second, the SkyRide suspension is the most advanced active suspension I’ve experienced, smoother and faster-reacting than even Mercedes’ E-Active Body Control.
Real World Efficiency and Performance
A flagship EV must not only perform, but also travel long distances comfortably and efficiently. The hilly roads of the Bergisches Land, combined with short autobahn blasts, provided an ideal mix to test real-world range.
Over 220 kilometers of mixed driving, my test car with the 120 kWh battery averaged 21.4 kWh/100 km, quite reasonable considering the size, performance, and use of comfort systems. That projects to about 560–580 km of real-world range at moderate German highway speeds and in mixed terrain.
Performance-wise, I was consistently impressed. The ET9 pulls hard up to 200 km/h, and beyond 120 km/h it remains eerily quiet and stable, no excessive wind noise, no chassis float. The 707 hp output feels genuinely effortless, and overtaking on two-lane roads is done with a mere flex of your right foot.
What I also appreciated was the natural integration of regenerative braking. You can choose several levels, but even in the strongest mode it feels progressive and refined, very much in keeping with the flagship character of the car.
Inside the Lounge: Luxury Without Gimmicks
While the ET9 dazzles with technology, its interior philosophy is refreshingly understated.
The main display is a beautifully wide 5K strip, less than five centimeters tall, stretching across the dashboard. Most key controls reside on a crisp, intuitive central tablet, while an AR head-up display handles navigation and critical driving data.
Materials are first-class. Leather, polished metals, and real wood are used tastefully. No excessive chrome, no gaudy lighting effects. It’s a space designed for serene, focused luxury rather than flashy tech demos.
But it is in the rear cabin where the ET9 truly shines. Thanks to the 3.25-meter wheelbase, legroom is palatial. The right rear seat converts into a near-lie-flat air-conditioned massage lounger, complete with footrest and privacy curtains. The panoramic roof can be shaded at the push of a button, creating a cocoon-like atmosphere perfect for long business trips or relaxation.
There is even a temperature-controlled compartment in the center tunnel, from -2°C to +55°C,ideal for storing anything from a cool drink to a warm dish. And small touches, like a lockable safe between the seats, underline that this is a car aimed at genuine high-end customers.
On The Autobahn: Effortless and Composed
Driving the ET9 on the A4 autobahn was an illuminating experience. Despite its Chinese roots, this car feels as stable and well-engineered at speed as anything from Stuttgart or Munich.
Cruising at 160–180 km/h, the ET9 maintained perfect composure. The active dampers prevented any float or nervousness, and noise levels remained impressively low. I clocked an average of 64 dB(A) at 130 km/h,on par with the quietest German limousines.
At higher autobahn speeds, the powertrain delivered instant response. The instant torque means passing slower traffic is done with absolute authority, even from 160 km/h upwards.
Conclusion: Is This the Future of Luxury?
After a full day driving through every type of road the Bergisches Land had to offer, I came away with this conclusion: the Nio ET9 is not merely a promising electric flagship. It is already one of the world’s best luxury sedans, period.
It blends remarkable chassis intelligence with true luxury and world-beating charging tech, and it does so without the overdesigned, bling-heavy excess that sometimes plagues European rivals.
Whether Nio will bring this car to Europe is still undecided. But if they do, I can see more than a few traditional German luxury customers being tempted to take a serious look.
And honestly? After driving it here in Germany’s heartland, I’d be very tempted myself.
How fast is the Nio ET9?
It accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 220 km/h.
What is the real-world range of the Nio ET9?
During my test, I achieved approximately 560–580 km of real-world range with the 120 kWh battery in mixed driving.
How does the Nio ET9 SkyRide suspension work?
It uses 48V hydraulic actuators and recalculates trim position 1000 times per second, providing unmatched ride smoothness and body control.
