Neta X Will Debut At Malaysia Autoshow 2024 - 2 Variants, From RM125K Est.

Neta Malaysia has officially confirmed that its much-anticipated offering to compete with the BYD Atto 3, the Neta X, will be displayed at the Malaysia Auto Show 2024. The Neta X, together with the Neta Aya, a makeover of the soon-to-be-replaced Neta V, will be officially launched later this year.

CariCarz.com first learned about this during the NexV Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (NMSB) plant tour late last month, and it was confirmed during the Auto China 2024 when Intro Synergy Sdn Bhd, Neta's Malaysian distributor, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Neta Auto China to finalise the agreement.

According to our source at Neta Malaysia, the right hand drive (RHD) model of the Neta X is already in Malaysia and is being prepped for the show mentioned, which takes place later this month.

For Malaysia, two variants of the Neta X will be offered: the Neta X 400 and 500, with the number representing the vehicle's range. However, it is important to note that the 400 KM and 500 KM ranges are based on CLTC standards rather, not the arguably more realistic WLTP standards.

Both the Neta X 400 and 500 would be built on the Yunhe platform, measuring 4,619 MM in length, 1,860 MM in width, and 1,628 MM in height, with a wheelbase of 2,770 MM. In contrast, the BYD Atto 3, with which it competes directly with, measures 4,455 MM long, 1,875 MM wide, 1,615 MM tall, and has a 2,720 MM wheelbase. From this, we can see that both models share identical footprints, with the Neta X edging ahead in terms of interior space thanks to a slightly longer wheelbase.

According to Neta Malaysia, the Neta X 400 would retail at around RM125,000, while the Neta X 500 will cost less than RM140,000. This pricing puts the Neta X SUVs below the recently announced updated BYD Atto 3, which only sees the Standard Range variant offered now for RM149,800.

Both Neta X models would have similar front-mounted e-motors producing 161 HP and 210 NM. In terms of battery size, the 400 will have a 51.8 kWh unit, while the 500 will have a larger 62 kWh unit. In comparison, the BYD Atto 3 produces 201 HP and 310 NM, but now packs a smaller 49.9 kWh battery and shorter 410KM CLTC-rated range.

Neta Malaysia also announced that early bird bookings for the Neta X opens from May 6, and that the initial batch of vehicles sold would be fully imported (CBU) units. Delivery of locally built (CKD) will instead come later in the fourth quarter of 2025.