Nio has revealed a wild rally-inspired version of its upcoming Firefly supermini, and it’s already turning heads as a potential WRC contender. Unveiled at the 2025 Shanghai Motor Show, this extreme version hints at serious motorsport ambitions for Nio’s sub-brand, also named Firefly.
Built from the standard five-door electric Firefly hatch launching soon in China, this rally version trades city style for aggressive performance cues. It retains the original tri-lamp front lights but gains a bold body kit, wide vents, a rear diffuser, and a dramatic rear wing designed for serious downforce. White rally wheels, a roof scoop, and extended arches complete the high-performance look.
Inside, the cockpit is part race car, part road car. A large rally-style handbrake, buttons for DRS and pit-lane speed control, and a digital display suggest a working prototype built with real motorsport potential. It’s not all stripped-out race tech either—there’s still an infotainment screen and digital cluster in place.
While powertrain details on this prototype remain under wraps, the standard Firefly is said to feature a 140bhp rear-mounted electric motor, a 42.1kWh battery, and Nio’s quick-swap battery tech. With a range of 140 miles and evenly distributed weight across its 1.5-tonne frame, it promises solid dynamics.
Paired with Multimatic suspension and balanced EV engineering, this rally-ready Firefly could offer real competition to the likes of the GR Yaris Rally1. All eyes now turn to whether Nio will take it to the global stage.