Nio EP9 Release Date, Specs News: Electric Supercar Breaks More Records at COTA Even Without a Driver
The Nio EP9 is already considered the fastest electric supercar in the world after it achieved a lap record of 7 minutes and 5.12 seconds at Nürburgring Nordschliefe in Germany last year. Now, Nio has announced that the EP9 has broken two more lap records at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas.
On Feb. 23, the Nio E9 drove around the 3.4-mile COTA race track at 160 miles per hour (mph) and achieved a lap time of 2 minutes and 40.33 seconds. This feat was done autonomously, meaning without a driver inside the car. Later that day, the EP9 ran the track again, this time with a driver, and attained another record-breaking lap time of 2 minutes and 11.30 seconds at 170 mph.
These accomplishments are made possible due to the presence of four high-performance motors and four individual gearboxes which translate to 1,341 horsepower and 1,092 pound-feet of torque. The electric supercar can go from 0 to 124 mph in 7.1 seconds and attains a top speed of 195 mph.
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As an all-electric vehicle, the Nio EP9 comes with an interchangeable battery system so that it can be enjoyed during track days. The battery can be charged in just 45 minutes and replacing the battery only takes 8 minutes. The battery also delivers 265 miles of driving range.
To build the EP9, Nio made extensive use of carbon to create a structurally solid and aerodynamic chassis that is capable of handling 3G forces. Furthermore, the electric supercar is equipped with an active rear wing system, a floor diffuser and a front adjustable splitter which help deliver twice the downforce of a Formula One car.
The Nio EP9 is also equipped with bespoke components like a braking system with Surface Transforms carbon ceramic discs and 19-inch and 21-inch performance alloy rims with carbon inlays and performance tires. Lastly, the electric car comes with an active suspension with four-way adjustable dampers.
Nio, a brand under Chinese electronic car company NextEV, has not announced plans for the mass production of the EP9.
