Nio Triathlon Is An Independent Design Study For An EV With Three Personalities

This article includes illustrations for an independent study made by designer Guillaume Mazerolle that is neither related to nor endorsed by Nio.

Here at CarScoops, we love sharing renderings from budding designers. This particular creation, dubbed the Nio Triathlon Concept, could very well be one of the most remarkable projects we’ve ever come across.

These images were kindly sent to us by design Guillaume Mazerolle who is currently an exterior design intern at Nio. They depict a vehicle that could be easily modified from a Formula 1-inspired race car to an Extreme E-style off-roader and even a high-performance hyperboat.

Underpinning the Triathlon Concept is a complex cell/monocoque that houses a centrally-mounted cabin. When the car is in its Formula 1 and IndyCar-derived ‘Sprint Mode,’ it would be adorned with complex aerodynamic parts that include a large rear wing, a complex front wing, wheel covers, aerodynamic bargeboards and a complex diffuser.

These aerodynamic parts could then be removed when owners want to take the vehicle off-roading. In their place sit huge wheels and tires similar to those used by Formula Offroad racers. New exterior parts would also be used to protect the cell.

The third and final configuration is ‘Aquatic Mode.’ This variant sees the Nio’s cell accompanied by a pair of floats that would allow it to skim across the water at high speeds.

Mazerolle has imagined the Triathlon Concept as using an all-electric powertrain designed to compete at specially-built circuits that would include a large sprint track like those used in NASCAR, while the center of the track would be split into an off-road track and a water section.

Admittedly, that’s a wildly unlikely scenario. However, if this is what the (very distant) future of all-electric motorsport looks like, count us in.