At the much-anticipated Nio Day 2024, the Chinese giant introduced its new sub-brand, Nio Firefly, alongside the brand’s first production model.
Simply named Firefly, with all lowercase letters, this electric city car is designed for global markets, including Europe. Already available for pre-order in China at a starting price of €19,500, the firefly is set to hit the roads in April 2025. In Europe, this car could have a price under 25.000 €, to compete with BYD Atto 2, Hyundai Inster and Renault 5.
Nio Firefly: a new chapter
The Firefly represents the launch of a new line of vehicles aimed at urban mobility, with designs overseen by Kris Tomasson, former design lead at BMW and Coca-Cola. True to its name, inspired by the luminescent firefly—a symbol of freedom and individuality—the car embodies vibrancy, intelligence, and reliability.
Nio has built the Firefly as a compact yet robust vehicle. According to the company, it boasts exceptional structural integrity, featuring a chassis composed of 83% high-strength steel and achieving an impressive torsional rigidity of 35,700 Nm/degree, outperforming even the Volvo EX30. This structural foundation, paired with nine airbags, ensures the Firefly is on track to achieve a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
Tailored for tight urban landscapes
Nio has positioned the Firefly as an ideal solution for city driving. With a tight turning radius of just 4.7 meters, it’s described as “perfect for cities like Rome,” where narrow streets and tight parking spaces are commonplace. To showcase its urban prowess, Nio staged a video game-inspired challenge pitting the Firefly against rivals like the new electric Mini Cooper and the Smart #1. The Firefly is touted as “smarter than a Mini, and more mini than a Smart.”
For added convenience in cramped environments, the Firefly comes equipped with a fully automated parking system. This cutting-edge feature allows the car to park itself without any driver intervention, even without a person on board.
While the Firefly’s exterior has been revealed, its interior remains under wraps until its official unveiling, likely at the Shanghai Auto Show in April. However, Nio promises a well-thought-out cabin optimized for daily use. Highlights include a 92-liter frunk with a washable design and drain plug, plus up to 1,250 liters of cargo space accessible via an electric tailgate.
Technology, derived from Nio’s higher-end models, plays a central role in the Firefly’s appeal. From advanced AI to sophisticated connectivity features, the car blends the agility of a compact city car with the comfort and innovation typically found in premium larger vehicles.
