SPY PICS: Nio Firefly caught testing in Australia

A Nio Firefly has been spotted testing on Canberra roads, indicating the retro compact EV could be closer to a local launch than expected.

Spied near Cotter Dam, just west of the nation's capital, the Chinese hatchback looked as if it had just rolled off the showroom floor, with nothing to hide its identity – save for small pieces of tape covering the badges at either end.

Sporting Victorian registration plates and rolling on 18-inch wheels wrapped in Giti rubber, the two passengers aboard the lavender-coloured test mule tried their best to dodge our cameras, to little avail.

We couldn't get close enough for a peek inside the cabin, however it appears the purple interior shown overseas has been swapped out for black upholstery; no doubt a more acceptable (and conservative) option here in Oz.

The miniature Nio Firefly made its public debut at the 2025 Shanghai motor show in April. It is already on sale in China and will soon be on sale in Europe. As carsales reported from Shanghai, the Firefly will spearhead the brand’s launch Down Under, with Nio representatives telling carsales of an anticipated arrival in 2026.

But with the onslaught of new brands in Australia and the Nio Firefly already undergoing testing locally, the incoming car brand could be pushing to shorten that timeline.

Measuring up at just over 4 metres long and 1.78m wide, the Firefly is similar in size to an MG4 or BYD Dolphin, with cute retro styling reminiscent of the Honda e.

The five-door, five-seat hatchback comes fitted with a 105kW electric motor that drives the rear wheels, paired with a 42-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion (LFP) battery thought to offer around 350km of WLTP range, based on its Chinese (CLTC) claim of 420km.

Meanwhile, Nio hopes to compete with more premium brands in Oz like Polestar, BMW, and Audi, while Firefly could launch as a separate sub-brand, to offer more affordable electric cars for the high-tech car-maker.

Standard equipment offered overseas – and therefore, potentially here – includes 18-inch alloys, distinctive tri-element LED headlights, a 14-speaker Dolby Atmos audio system, panoramic glass roof, heated front seats and steering wheel, fragrance diffuser, V2L power-sharing capability and nine airbags.

Higher-spec models add power seats with premium upholstery while exterior customisation packages are offered in China, including custom grilles and smartphone-like personalisation options for interior digital displays.

How much can you expect to pay for this stylish five-door hatch? Chinese pricing starts at just ¥119,800 (approximately $A25,000), although European pricing of around €30,000 (closer to $A50,000) is likely a better guide for Aussies interested in the latest city-savvy premium EV.

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