NIO (NYSE: NIO) officially released the first exterior and interior images of its ES9 flagship SUV on April 7, 2026, two days before a dedicated technology event scheduled for April 9 that will formally introduce the model's full specification sheet.The ES9 is positioned as the brand's new SUV halo car, sitting above the ES8 in the lineup and targeting the executive large-SUV segment.Regulatory filings submitted earlier this year place the ES9's body at 5,365 mm in length, 2,029 mm in width, and 1,870 mm in height, with a 3,250 mm wheelbase — making it larger than the current third-generation ES8, which already ranks among the largest electric SUVs on sale in China. NIO's management has described the ES9 as the largest SUV the company has ever made.NIO ES9 profile view (NIO)The powertrain consists of a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system with a front unit rated at 180 kW and a rear unit at 340 kW, giving a combined output of 520 kW. Top speed is rated at 220 km/h (137 mph). The ES9 is equipped with a 102-kWh battery pack supplied by CATL (HKG: 3750) using nickel-manganese-cobalt chemistry, delivering a maximum CLTC-rated range of 620 km (385 miles).NIO ET9 rear (NIO)The vehicle supports NIO's battery-as-a-service model, allowing the battery to be purchased separately or swapped at the brand's swap stations.Platform technology includes NIO's SkyRide full active suspension, steer-by-wire, and rear-wheel steering — three systems that together allow the brand to claim sports-car-like agility despite the SUV's size. The ES9's roof is fitted with one LiDAR unit and two corner cameras.NIO ES9 front row (NIO)Two in-house developed Shenji NX9031 autonomous driving chips, built on a 5 nm process, are expected to power the onboard driver-assistance stack. The vehicle rides on 23-inch wheels wrapped in 275 mm wide tires and is available in a dual-tone body finish.Inside, the ES9 uses a digital instrument cluster paired with a floating central touchscreen. The driver operates the transmission through a column-mounted shifter alongside an oval-shaped steering wheel.NIO ES9 rear seats (NIO)The second row receives a dedicated control screen mounted in the center armrest area, with physical function buttons on the right door panel covering seat position, ventilation, heating, massage, and memory settings.The panoramic roof is split into left and right zones, each independently operable, with integrated controls built into the overhead panel. Six- and seven-seat configurations are both available. The vehicle's kerb weight ranges from 2,845 to 2,915 kg depending on specification.NIO ES9 split panoramic roof (NIO)In a post accompanying the image release, NIO founder, chairman, and CEO William Li said the design team had committed from the outset to an original premium aesthetic, stating the ES9 was built to match "the spirit and style of an innovation leader." He indicated that further design details remain unrevealed ahead of the April 9 event.Pricing has not been officially announced as formal pricing will be announced closer to an anticipated late-May market launch. Deliveries are scheduled to begin on June 1, 2026. The ES9 will also appear at the Beijing Auto Show, which opens on April 24.NIO ET9 (NIO)For context, NIO's current range-topper, the ET9 executive sedan, starts at 768,000 CNY (c. $111,600). The ES9's expected pricing will sit lower while still targeting the upper end of the domestic large-SUV market, where it will compete against locally produced rivals as well as imported luxury alternatives.Whether the ES9's technology stack — particularly its active chassis systems and dual-chip autonomous driving hardware — translates into a compelling real-world ownership case will be tested when customers begin taking delivery in June.Conversion rate: 1 USD = 6.88 CNY as of April 7, 2026