Firefly (vehicle)

The Firefly was first revealed on 21 December 2024 at the Firefly brand's launch at the Nio Day 2024 event, where pre-orders for the vehicle opened at {{Currency|148800|rmb}} ({{Currency|20,300|usd}}). Images of the vehicle undergoing cold weather testing, including teasers of the interior, were revealed on 10 January 2025, the same day some additional vehicle specifications were revealed through MIIT regulatory filings.

The Firefly was launched on 19 April 2025 ahead of Auto Shanghai 2025 at {{Currency|119,800|rmb}} ({{Currency|16,800|usd}}), with deliveries beginning on 29 April.{{Cite web |last=Bobylev |first=Denis |date=2025-04-19 |title=Europe-bound Nio’s Firefly EV launched in China for 16,770 USD |url=https://carnewschina.com/2025/04/19/europe-bound-nios-firefly-ev-launched-in-china-for-16770-usd/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=CarNewsChina.com |language=en-US}} It will be available to purchase with the battery-as-a-service model, where the vehicle is sold at a 33% lower starting price of {{Currency|79,800|rmb}} ({{Currency|11,100|usd}}) and the battery pack is a {{Currency|399|rmb}} ({{Currency|55|usd}}) monthly subscription, launched on 24 June after originally being planned for 1 August 2025 in China.{{Cite web |last=Zhang |first=Phate |date=2025-04-19 |title=Nio Firefly officially launches 1st model, starts at $16,410 in China |url=https://cnevpost.com/2025/04/19/nio-firefly-launches-1st-model/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=CnEVPost |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Miao |first=Liu |date=2025-06-24 |title=Nio's Firefly launches BaaS battery rental plan, lowering entry price to 11,100 USD |url=https://carnewschina.com/2025/06/24/nios-firefly-launches-baas-battery-rental-plan-lowering-entry-price-to-11000-usd/ |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=CarNewsChina.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Zhang |first=Phate |date=2025-06-24 |title=Nio Firefly launches BaaS plan, lowering purchase threshold by over 30% |url=https://cnevpost.com/2025/06/24/nio-firefly-launches-baas-plan/ |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=CnEVPost |language=en-US}}

It is expected to be launched in European markets between June and August of 2025.{{Cite web |last=Opletal |first=Jiri |date=2025-04-23 |title=Nio's Firefly to expand to 16 countries in 2025, adopt third party dealers model, CEO says |url=https://carnewschina.com/2025/04/23/nios-firefly-to-expand-to-16-countries-in-2025-through-third-party-dealers-ceo-says/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=CarNewsChina.com |language=en-US}} The Firefly was originally planned to make its initial debut in Europe, but the introduction of additional tariffs against Chinese EVs by the European Union in October 2024 caused Nio to delay the European launch. Production of the right-hand drive version is expected to begin in October 2025.{{Cite web |last=Kang |first=Lei |date=2025-04-29 |title=Nio Firefly begins deliveries in China |url=https://cnevpost.com/2025/04/29/nio-firefly-begins-deliveries/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=CnEVPost |language=en-US}}

Firefly vehicles were originally planned to be incompatible with the existing network of Nio battery swap stations also used by Onvo, instead using its own network of stations. These swap stations are smaller and simpler than Nio stations, and are approximately the size of a shipping container, reducing their international shipping costs and giving them the flexibility to be installed in smaller spaces.{{Cite web |last=Zhang |first=Phate |date=2024-07-01 |title=Nio Firefly models to have dedicated swap stations |url=https://cnevpost.com/2024/07/01/nio-firefly-dedicated-swap-stations/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=CnEVPost |language=en-US}} At the Firefly launch event in December 2024, the company said that these stations would start being deployed a few months after the vehicle's launch. In March 2025, Nio announced that they were partnering with CATL for its battery swap network, and future Firefly brand models would use CATL's Choco-Swap battery pack standard; the Firefly EV will continue to use Nio-Firefly swappable battery standards.{{Cite web |last=Zhang |first=Phate |date=2025-03-18 |title=Nio partners with CATL to create world's largest battery swap network |url=https://cnevpost.com/2025/03/18/nio-partners-with-catl-battery-swap/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=CnEVPost |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Bobylev |first=Denis |date=2025-04-09 |title=Nio’s Firefly demo swap station was seen in China for the first time |url=https://carnewschina.com/2025/04/09/nios-firefly-demo-swap-station-was-seen-in-china-for-the-first-time/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=CarNewsChina.com |language=en-US}} At the launch of the Firefly in April 2025, Nio announced that their swap station strategy had changed, and Fireflys would instead use Nio's fifth-generation swap stations, which are expected to become operational starting in early 2026.{{Cite web |last=Zhang |first=Phate |date=2025-04-21 |title=Nio Firefly won't have dedicated swap stations in strategy shift |url=https://cnevpost.com/2025/04/21/nio-firefly-wont-have-dedicated-swap-stations/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=CnEVPost |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Liu |first=Jin |date=2025-04-21 |title=高端小车如何具象化 萤火虫给出答案_firefly萤火虫 |url=https://www.autohome.com.cn/news/202504/1305521-2.html?pvareaid=3311700 |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=www.autohome.com.cn}}

The Firefly first went on sale in China on 29 April, 2025. Nio CEO William Li said that Firefly will enter 16 new markets across 5 continents in 2025, along with countries Nio already has a direct sales presence including Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, The Netherlands, and UAE. It will be sold by third party dealers in new markets, including Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Portugal, and the UK in Europe, Nepal and Singapore in Asia, Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Colombia in America, and New Zealand.{{Cite web |last=Zhang |first=Phate |date=2025-04-22 |title=Nio Firefly to launch in Europe in Jun-Aug, right-hand drive version ready by Oct |url=https://cnevpost.com/2025/04/22/nio-firefly-launch-europe-jun-aug/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=CnEVPost |language=en-US}}

File:Firefly (vehicle) in Chongqing, China 20250423-B.jpg

The Firefly is the eponymous brand's debut model, a small five-door hatchback designed for the European market. The vehicle has a length of {{Convert|4003|mm|in|abbr=unit}} and a wheelbase of {{Convert|2615|mm|in|abbr=unit}}, and is relatively narrow at {{Convert|1781|mm|in|abbr=unit}} wide. The vehicle has a front and rear overhang of {{Convert|680|mm|in|abbr=unit}} and {{Convert|708|mm|in|abbr=unit}} respectively, allowing for an approach angle of 21 degrees and a departure angle of 26 degrees, and it has a turning radius of {{Convert|4.7|m|ft|abbr=unit}}.{{cite web |last=Opletal |first=Jiri |date=21 December 2024 |title=Nio unveiled Firefly EV hatchback for 20,400 USD with 92 liters frunk |url=https://carnewschina.com/2024/12/21/nio-unveiled-firefly-ev-hatchback-for-20400-usd-with-92-liters-frunk/ |accessdate=22 December 2024 |website=CarNewsChina.com}}{{Cite web |last=Bobylev |first=Denis |date=2025-01-10 |title=Nio’s Firefly EV exposed dimensions and powertrain specs in China |url=https://carnewschina.com/2025/01/10/nios-firefly-ev-exposed-dimensions-and-powertrain-specs-in-china/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=CarNewsChina.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Zhang |first=Phate |date=2025-01-10 |title=Regulatory filing: Nio files for Firefly's 1st model, core specs revealed |url=https://cnevpost.com/2025/01/10/regulatory-filing-nio-firefly-1st-model/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=CnEVPost |language=en-US}}

The Firefly was designed under the lead of Nio Design Vice President Kris Tomasson. The front of the vehicle's exterior is characterized by headlights which consist of a cluster of three circular rings, connected by a black pill-shaped accent bar, with both shapes acting as design motifs which continue throughout the exterior and interior design. It features a black-painted roof, mirrors, and pillars, with the exception of a body color 'dynamic loop', a stripe of body color paint which connects the C-pillars through the roof. The rear features a three-circle cluster for its taillights, which are connected by a black pill-shaped accent bar. The rear cargo hatch is a clamshell design, and features a black painted aerodynamic spoiler and a rear windshield wiper. It is available in six exterior paint colors: lime, lavender, marble, sand, and graphite.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0oQy0tHUiQ |title=firefly - Chinese EVs Just Got Playful |date=2025-04-19 |last=Inside China Auto |access-date=2025-04-21 |via=YouTube}} It is available with an optional lighting package with upgraded headlights and illuminating logo, and a choice of three 18-inch wheel options.

83.4% of the Firefly EV's chassis is constructed with high-strength steel, allowing for torsional rigidity values of 35,700{{Nbsp}}Newton-meters per degree. The rear axle uses a five-arm multilink independent suspension co-developed with Multimatic. It has a 50-50 weight distribution, and rides on 18-inch wheels with 215/50 R18 tires, and has a turning radius of {{Convert|4.7|m|ft|abbr=}}.{{Cite web |last=Bobylev |first=Denis |date=2025-01-08 |title=Nio’s Firefly EV completed winter tests in China [video] |url=https://carnewschina.com/2025/01/08/nios-firefly-ev-completed-winter-tests-in-china-video/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=CarNewsChina.com |language=en-US}} Firefly says that models exported to Europe will have a retuned suspension and steering system to suit local market tastes.

The dashboard features a 6-inch digital instrument cluster display mounted on the steering column behind a square-off steering wheel and column shifter, and a 13.2-inch floating infotainment display. The air vents are in a continuous line located at the base of the dashboard and are illuminated by the ambient lighting system. The infotainment system features a Firefly exclusive user interface with a simplified layout features color theming based on the exterior color and ambient lighting settings. and features touch gestures for HVAC system and volume adjustment, along with the Lumo voice assistant.

The center console features a folding armrest revealing a storage bin along with a single cupholder and active cooled wireless charging pad with a drawer underneath, and is disconnected from the dashboard, designed to allow the driver to exit the through the passenger door when parked in tight spaces. Nio says the interior has 27 different storage locations, a 14-speaker 7.1 surround sound system and a fragrance system. It has a panoramic sunroof as standard in China, which will be optional in other markets. It also has magnetic mounting points in the front and rear rows for mounting accessories. The door handles, rearview mirror, vanity mirrors, rearview camera mirror, interior lights, speaker grilles, coat hooks, and headrests all feature the pill-shaped design motif.

It has two seat options: one upholstered in microfiber and contrasting leatherette with a heating function; the other is 10-way adjustable and is upholstered in leatherette only with three-hole cluster perforations for its ventilation functions, along with a massaging function for the front row. The dashboard is upholstered in microfiber, and the doors and armrests are upholstered in leatherette. The interior is available in four colors: travertine, pine, plum, and obsidian.

The Firefly EV has a {{Convert|92|L|cuft|abbr=|adj=on}} frunk, and the rear cargo volume is {{Convert|335|L|cuft|0|abbr=}} or {{Convert|400.|L|cuft|0|abbr=}} when measured to the ceiling, and over {{Convert|1253|L|cuft|0|abbr=}} with the rear seats folded down. Additionally, there is a {{Convert|29|L|cuft|abbr=|adj=on}} storage space underneath the rear passenger seat, and a {{Convert|29|L|cuft|abbr=|adj=on}} storage space underneath the passenger seat on models without seat ventilation.

The Firefly EV achieved a five-star safety rating in 2024 C-NCAP testing, and is equipped with nine airbags along with ADAS systems. The ADAS system is powered by a Horizon Robotics Journey 5 SoC capable of 128 TOPS, and is capable of supervised autonomous driving on highways and other limited-access roads along with fully automated parking.

The vehicle is powered by a single Nio XPT-manufactured {{Convert|105|kW|hp PS|abbr=unit}} rear motor outputting {{Convert|200.|Nm|lbft|abbr=unit}} of torque, and power is supplied from a 42.1{{Nbsp}}kWh swappable LFP battery pack made by Sunwoda, capable of {{Convert|420.|km|mi|abbr=unit}} on the CLTC cycle.{{Cite web |last=Ho |first=Lawrence |date=2025-02-17 |title=Nio’s Firefly hatchback EV revealed to have 420 km CLTC range |url=https://carnewschina.com/2025/02/17/nios-firefly-hatchback-ev-revealed-to-have-420-km-cltc-range/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=CarNewsChina.com |language=en-US}} It has a peak DC charge rate of 100{{Nbsp}}kW and can recharge from 10–80% in 29 minutes. The vehicle has a 0{{En dash}}{{Convert|100.|km/h|mph|abbr=unit}} time of 8.2 seconds, and a top speed of {{Convert|150.|km/h|mph|abbr=unit}}.

After deliveries began on 29 April, 231 units were sold in April and 3,680 units were sold in May.{{Clear}}

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Firefly (vehicle)

Category:Cars introduced in 2024

Category:Subcompact cars

Category:Hatchbacks

Category:Production electric cars

Category:Cars of China