When the electrified supercar movement first began with hybridization, enthusiasts began to see the performance capabilities electricity could offer. Now, some of the most impressive performance cars are electrified, and as it becomes more mainstream, technology will continue to improve even further. Unfortunately, many electric sports and hypercars are not sold in the U.S.A, so finding any to choose from is a struggle for the ultra-elite. While this example may not be drivable, multimillionaire enthusiasts now have the chance to purchase an incredibly rare car that most people will never see in real life.
The NIO EP9 Is More Formula E Than Personal Car
The NIO EP9 is the result of Hong Kong-based NextEV developing a vehicle in conjunction with some of the best designers and performance specialists from Britain and the U.S.A. While many people were skeptical of the performance of an all-original electric hypercar built in a country not known for vehicles, the car very quickly impressed the entire world with its massive 1,360 horsepower, light curb weight, and incredible lap time around the Nurburgring at six minutes and forty six seconds. Faster than just about any other electric vehicle outside the Volkswagen ID.R, the EP9 is more similar to a Le Mans race car than a road car.
The EP9 Art Car Was More Than Just Good Looks
This particular EP9 is one of the sixteen built for the world and was turned into an art car project by LA-based Ornamental Conifer. While it lacks the electrical drivetrain, the car was capable of a blistering 3G in a corner through feats of engineering. With an active rear wing, a full-length air tunnel, full carbon monocoque, and full track telemetry, the NIO EP9 is fully based around the Formula E circuit as a track car should be when fully electric. The underside, when built with the two rapid recharge batteries, is capable of braking from acceleration with more than double the force of GT3 race cars.
The EP9 Art Car Has Serious Track History
Before being turned into an art piece as it is now, this EP9 had competed on racetracks in Beijing and Shanghai, Sepang in Malaysia, and in Bruntingthorpe, England. While this car is not road legal when fitted with its drivetrain, the car itself runs near the same speeds on the Nurburgring as the LaFerrari FXXK Evo - one of Ferrari’s race-spec customer vehicles. It also outguns every electric production car on the track, such as the Porsche Taycan Turbo S, but it might be on par with the all-electric Rimac Nevera. The only fully electric vehicle that beats the EP9 is the Lotus Evija, and that's on the Nurburgring.
This Art Car Is A Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity
This EP9 art car is the only one in the world currently out of the 16 vehicle run, as well as the only one for sale ever in the U.S.A., making it incredibly rare for anyone to even see. With the owner having listed the car at Bonham's, the opportunity for some lucky and very well-off financially individual has arisen. Keeping this vehicle as a simple art piece, converting it back into a driving vehicle, or any other opportunities is all possible, but the owner will need to trailer the car to any track in the world, regardless of country.