It seems that just about every few weeks a new hypercar emerges. Consequently, it seems high-end Porsches, Ferraris, McLarens and Bugattis just don’t cut it anymore. A number of small scale manufacturers from all corners of the globe are getting in on the act. Over the past few years, we’ve seen automakers emerge from countries that are not really known for high-performance automotive products. Let’s take a look at the Nio EP9. 

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All-motor

Electrification is the new name of the game as battery-powered cars require less R&D and investment in terms of engine and drivetrain component production. Coupled with instantaneous power delivery – electric engines deliver max torque the moment they start turning – and torque vectoring allows for extremely dynamic responses. With that in mind, we bring you a list of some of the most powerful electric hypercars in the world today. In the very first of this new series EV Hypercars, we outline the Nio EP9.

Click here for other instalments of the EV Hypercars series, featuring One Nio EP9, Lotus Evija, Aspark Owl, and Rimac Nevera.

From the East

Nio is a relative newcomer to the automotive industry as it was founded in 2014. The company produces a range of sedans and SUVs that all feature batteries as their sole source of propulsion. To showcase its EV credentials the Chinese automaker competed in the FIA Formula E championship. Nio’s very first creation, in 2016, was the EP9 hypercar. Just 16 units are destined for production. 

The futuristic-looking Nio EP9 has 1 000 kW of power from four motors. Each wheel has its own motor and transmission. The massive power output along with active suspension and active aerodynamics (NIO says the EP9 produces twice the downforce of a current Formula One car) helped the EP9 achieve a blistering Nurburgring lap time of 6 min 45,9 sec.

That lap time puts it right up there with the quickest petrol-fed machines around the world-famous 20,8 km track. Notably, the EP9 also holds the lap record at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas of 2 min 40,33 sec… without a driver, highlighting the EP9’s autonomous capabilities. For good measure, the company also used a human driver to claim the production car record for the same track with a time of 2 min 11,30 sec.

Nio EP9 – Vital stats

0-100 km/h: 2,9 sec
Max speed: 313 km/h
Peak power: 1 000 kW
Peak torque: 1 480 N.m