AUSTIN: Tesla's latest rival comes from Chinese start-up Nio which unveiled a sleek, luxury lounge on four wheels at the recent digital event South by Southwest in Texas.
Eve is the name chosen for the self-driving showcar, scheduled to hit the US market in 2020.
The maker, which used to be known as NextEV, say the car is bound for Europe and other continents too, although it may take a while to get there.
Nio chose the music, art and media festival in Austin to unwrap the Eve as it also focuses on the interior design of upcoming hands-free cars.
Nio has revealed hardly any technical details except that the car is not driven by a combustion engine. Power comes from four electric hub motors, with storage batteries mounted low in the chassis.
The see-through roof and opaque sides of the Nio Eve give the concept a unique look straight out of a science fiction movie.
Inside the sumptuous cabin for six people there is no steering wheel or pedals to be seen. Passengers interact with a digital assistant called Nomi, which provides verbal and visual connections.
"Our cars will be your companion and will know your needs. They will be a welcoming living space that moves you," said Nio's US chief Padmasree Warrior.
Comfort is the emphasis in Eve with sofas, reclining seats, pillows, fold-out tables and deep-pile carpet. A wide forward-sliding door enables easy access.
"Nio Eve, our vision car, showcases the future of autonomous driving, the company said. "It is a digital companion, a robot on wheels and it constantly learns about its occupants and their preferences."
