Nio’s affordable new Firefly EV hatchback comes with fancy-looking LEDs

The Chinese model will enter markets such as Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia

Nio has finally launched its much-anticipated Firefly brand in China, which will target the most affordable corner of the electric vehicle market. Its first model is a small electric hatchback with swappable batteries, targeting global markets including Europe, Latin America and Southeast Asia.

The Firefly EV will be smaller than the Nio and Onvo in terms of size, features and price. The brand aims to make small electric premium cars accessible to a “wider audience.”

The city hatchback is simply called “Firefly”. Responsible for its design is ex-BMW and Ford designer Chris Thomasson. The exterior has some references to the discontinued Honda e, with a similar greenhouse, black-finished roof and matching pillars. The Firefly’s signature feature is the three-piece circular LED headlight and taillight that look like an iPhone camera.

The latest Chinese electric cars feature a 92-liter (3.2 cubic feet) trunk with tiered storage and drainage, which is larger than most electric cars. Combined with the trunk, the luggage compartment has a capacity of up to 1,250 liters (44 cubic feet) when the rear seats are folded flat. There are no photos of the interior, but early spy shots show a minimalist dashboard with a Tesla-style infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument panel.

Firefly claims that a 9.4 m (30.8 ft) turning radius and “multi-scenario automatic parking assist” will allow the electric car to easily navigate tight urban areas.

The electric vehicle has been engineered to achieve a five-star rating in C-NCAP and Euro-NCAP testing. This is due to the extensive use of 83.4% high-strength steel and aluminum in the body structure, dual front door anti-impact beams and nine standard airbags, and is claimed to provide the best torsional stiffness in its class. segment (35,700 Nm).

Details about the electric motor and battery pack have yet to be released. However, we do know that the latter will be replaceable, although due to its smaller size it won’t be compatible with Nio and Onvo’s existing battery swap stations.

Firefly is already available for pre-order in China, priced at 148,800 yen ($20,400), and will be officially launched on the market in April 2025. According to reports, the model will be launched in Europe in the first half of 2025, where sales are expected to be higher. Expensive. According to China Automotive News, NIO hopes that Firefly brand products will be available in 25 countries by the end of 2025.