China’s Nio is working on a fairly thorough update of its crossover coupe, the EC6, government documents reveal. Likely to be dubbed the EC6 NT2, as a result of the facelift, the EV will feature at least one updated powertrain.
Launched in 2019, the update will bring the crossover’s design language up to date with the rest of the brand’s lineup. That starts with new headlights that are split into two distinct elements, rather than featuring two lights in a single housing.
The front fascia will also be updated, with a bold, grille-free look that is at once more minimalistic, and hints at the vehicle’s electric powertrain. That element will be joined by new lower lighting units at either end of the front. On top of the windshield, meanwhile, new bumps suggest that Nio is incorporating more sensors into the vehicle, likely to help improve its advanced driver assistance systems.
Read: Nio Introduces EC6 Crossover Coupe With Up To 382 Miles Of Range
Along the side, more elements will be carried over from the existing model, though Nio’s designers have still found room for improvement. The EC6 NT2 will eschew the squared-off wheel arches that previously marked it out from its competition, and will go instead for more traditional round wheel arches. The side mirrors also appear to be improved, with a perfectly horizontal stock and an ornate, two-tone design.
At the back, the taillights will be the biggest point of change for the updated version. Whereas the existing model has swooping brake lights, the EC6 NT2 will go for a Porsche Macan-style thin and straight light bar across the entire rear section. The rear bumper also appears to have been simplified.
No photos of the interior, nor information about the batteries or range, were filed as part of this disclosure with the Chinese MIIT. The documents do, however, note that the crossover will have electric motors at either axle that combine to make 483 hp (360 kW/489 PS).
That’s an interesting amount of power, because it’s more than the current sport model makes (429 hp/320 kW/435 PS), and less than the Performance model makes (536 hp/400 kW/544 PS). The figure may suggest that NIO has managed to squeeze more power out of its electric motors and that a more powerful Performance model is on its way.
We will likely find out soon, when Nio unveils the EC6 NT2 next month at the Shanghai Auto Show.
