Fresh from the launch of the Neta V in Malaysia, local distributor Intro Synergy is now previewing the larger Neta S at its showroom in Glenmarie. This is more of a longer-term prospect compared to the cheapest electric vehicle in the country, which is set to go on sale in the third quarter of this year-the Neta S is only slated to arrive somewhere around 2025.
The Neta S is a wholly different product compared to the Neta V, sitting at the opposite end of manufacturer Hozon Auto’s lineup. It’s a large sedan with a sweeping coupé-like roofline, much like the Tesla Model S. It certainly catches the eye, with its long and low body, wide stance and muscular haunches-everything the Neta V is not. But the biggest draw is of course the Lamborghini-style scissor doors, which are electrically-operated and can be opened at the touch of a button on the key.
They welcome you into a cabin that is leagues above the Neta V, with an adjustable steering column and (powered) seat height, triple displays (including a slim 13.3-inch instrument readout, a 17.6-inch portrait touchscreen and a separate 12.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger), a electrochromic panoramic glass roof and lots of leather and suede trim. You also get power-reclining rear seats and a decently-sized-if not exactly generous-front and rear boots.
The Neta S is available in either single-motor rear-wheel-drive and dual-motor all-wheel-drive configurations. The former produces 170kW (228hp) and 310Nm of torque, enabling it to get from zero to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds. Meanwhile the dual-motor setup doubles the outputs to 340kW (456hp) and 620Nm, shaving three full seconds off the century sprint to 3.9 seconds. Both versions are limited to 185km/h.
There are also three battery options available, including 64.46kWh and 84.5kWh units for the rear-wheel-drive models that provide a range of 520km and 715km respectively. The all-wheel-drive versions gain a 91kWh battery, enabling it to travel up to 650km on a single charge. The RWD model is also optionally offered as a range extender model with a smaller 45.88kWh battery for a 310km range-a figure boosted a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine for an impressive total range of 1,160km. Watch the video below for more.
