Firefly, a burgeoning electric vehicle brand from Nio, today announced the introduction of its Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) battery rental purchase plan for its inaugural model, the Firefly. This new offering significantly reduces the upfront cost of the vehicle, making it more accessible to consumers.

The Firefly, which first launched on April 19 and began customer deliveries on April 29, was initially priced at 119,800 yuan (16,500 USD) for the “Zizai” edition and 125,800 yuan (17200 USD) for the “Faguang” edition. With the new BaaS battery rental service, customers can enjoy a 40,000 yuan (5500 USD) reduction in the vehicle price, bringing the starting price for the Zizai edition down to 79,800 yuan (11,100 USD) and the Faguang edition to 85,800 yuan (11,700 USD). The monthly battery rental service fee is 399 yuan (55 USD).

The Firefly’s brand identity, visual system, and overall vehicle design were meticulously crafted by Kris Tomasson, Senior Vice President of Design at Nio. The design emphasises simplicity and classic geometric elements, creating a distinctive and recognisable aesthetic.

Exterior highlights include the “Trio Headlights,” composed of three dynamic light rings, symbolising prosperity and good fortune. These symmetrical headlights are a signature visual element of the Firefly. The vehicle also incorporates capsule shapes and energetic diagonal lines throughout its design, enhancing its unique identity. The Firefly measures 4003mm in length, 1781mm in width, and 1557mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2615mm. It features multi-spoke wheels, adding to its refined appearance.

The interior of the Firefly adopts a contemporary minimalist design language, with colours that complement the exterior. Inspired by urban living, the interior offers four natural and soothing colour schemes: Relaxing Purple, Serene Green, Calm Black, and Warm Beige, aiming to create a home-like, relaxed atmosphere.

Technologically, the Firefly boasts a 13.2-inch 2.5K high-definition central control screen paired with a 6-inch “Lingdong” instrument cluster. A pass-through central channel between the driver and passenger seats facilitates communication and allows easy entry and exit from either side. The lowered instrument panel provides an enhanced forward view. The steering wheel, adorned with the Firefly brand logo, is made from antibacterial microfiber leather, offering a comfortable and premium grip. The column-mounted gear shifter frees up additional space in the front cabin.

The Firefly prioritises an intuitive driving experience. It combines the tactile feedback of physical buttons with digital flexibility, incorporating a “blind operation” design. This allows users to control functions like volume, fan speed, and temperature through simple gestures and precise feedback, without needing to look at the screen, ensuring safety and convenience. The scenario-based smart desktop includes pre-set “pet mode” and “nap mode,” enabling users to instantly create their preferred cabin environment.

Further enhancing the cabin experience, the Firefly features 256-colour “Floating Light” ambient lighting with 8 pre-set themes and 3 breathing modes, synchronising with the interior style. Every operation triggers a unique light effect, from startup animations to climate control adjustments. A 14-speaker audio system provides an immersive sound experience, with music not only heard but also visually represented through ambient ring animations on the central screen and dynamic ambient lighting.

Regarding space, the Firefly offers a 92-litre front trunk, the largest in its class. It features layered storage and a drainage function and accommodates various lifestyle items. When the rear seats are folded, they create a spacious, flat cargo area exceeding 1253 litres. The second-row seats are also highly versatile, allowing individual folding without removing the headrests. A hidden storage compartment of over 29 litres is under the right-side rear seat.

The Firefly features nine airbags as standard across all trims. The side curtain airbags provide complete coverage from the A-pillar to the C-pillar, offering 40% more coverage than comparable vehicles. The rear bumper beam is constructed from submarine-grade 2000 MPa material, resulting in the most minor vehicle compression deformation during a 90 km/h collision among its peers.

The Firefly is powered by a single-motor layout with a power output of 105 kW (142 hp). It is available in both standard and long-range versions. The standard range version is equipped with a 42.1kWh battery pack, weighing 314kg, and offers a cruising range of up to 420km. For manoeuvrability, the Firefly boasts a class-leading minimum turning radius of 4.7 meters, making it exceptionally agile in narrow urban environments. Additionally, the new vehicle comes with all-scenario automatic parking functionality.