The interior of the first model of Nio’s third brand, Firefly, has been exposed in China. The actual car will be shown at this year’s Nio Day, which will be held in Guangzhou on December 21.
Although this is not the first shot of the new car’s interior, it is significant in being by far the clearest shot yet. Unlike the Onvo L60, the Firefly reverts to a two-screen layout. In the center of the dashboard is a horizontally mounted screen similar to that of the Onvo L60. There is a small steering wheel column-mounted instrument display panel. It is likely that there will be no head-up display to keep costs down.
The steering wheel has a flattened bottom and top. It has two circular control areas, although it is difficult to see exactly what they are from the angle of the picture. The logo on the wheel is still taped out.
Firefly is the internal code name for Nio’s third brand, and it is still not clear what the actual name of the brand will be. It is possible that the brand really is called Firefly. However, it is reported that the first car will have the same name as the brand.
From the photograph, it’s also noticeable that the drive selector is mounted on a stalk on the steering wheel column. Furthermore, the interior seems largely gray, and the driver’s seat is not leather. Chinese media reports that the center armrest can be moved and is not directly connected to the center console.
The Firefly brand is meant to be high-end, and its positioning is similar to Nio, as Mini is to BMW. Deliveries of the new model will begin in the first half of 2025.
Earlier this month, it was rumored that the car would be an EREV rather than a fully electric model. Nio has strenuously denied this. Older reports indicate the car will have battery swapping capability. The problem is that this capability is incompatible with Nio’s current battery swap stations. Firefly battery swap stations will apparently be around the size of a shipping container.
The Firefly brand was originally designed with the European market in mind. Due to the EV tariffs imposed by the EU it appears that Nio is now, at least initially, more targeting the Chinese market with the car.
Source: Fast Technology
