Neta V

Officially entering the Malaysian market, Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, Neta, with the Neta V.

The Neta V compact e-SUV is designed as an urban cruiser with enough range to get from Petaling Jaya to Ipoh without stopping for a juice up. 

Priced at MYR 99,800 (on-the-road, w/o insurance), it comes with a 10 years body, five years/150,000 KM general parts, and eight years/180,000 KM battery warranties.

Five exterior colours, White Storm, Midnight Gray, Cyan, Sky Blue, and Sakura Pink, and one interior scheme, Classic Edition (Black).

The Neta V has a dashboard that is modern and simple-looking with high levels of craftsmanship, designed under the Hi-tech Minimalist Concept.

It is covered in hard-touch panels of Japan-handcrafted INS film, which is then heightened with silver trims as a detailing finish.

Overall, layout of the system is well-put and airily-organised, as it is driver-oriented and non-cluttered with easy one-touch accessibility.

Interior of the five-seater is upholstered in perforated black leatherette, paired to a headliner made out of knitted fabric.

Fitted is the Ergonomic Zero Gravity Seat, featuring sport seats with a four-way adjustment up front, and a bench seat with a foldable function in the rear.

Offering plenty of head, shoulder and legroom, front and rear occupants get ample space. It is sufficient and borderline generous, considering it to be a compact e-SUV.

Installed is one 12-V power socket (charging) and one USB port in the front centre console (data, charging), one USB port under the interior rear-view mirror (dash cam), and one USB port in the rear armrest (charging).

It supports 335-Litres of load space, and up to 552-Litres with the rear seats folded down.

For scale, about 25 boxes of mineral water can be loaded in, without having to fold the back seats down.

Weighing in at 1,151 KG, the Neta V stands at 4,070 MM long, 1,690 MM wide, 1,540 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,420 MM.

Called the Dolphin Streamline, it exudes an overall smooth and sporty appeal, with elegantly sculpted contours in a continuous design.

Doing without a grille, the front layout features a fully covered bumper accentuated by angular lines at the edges, and a stretched-out lower air-intake.

A fastback silhouette, the rear end’s overall design combines smooth and angular curves with a laid-back sporty appeal, complementing the front.

The protruding layout is paired with a sleek roof edge spoiler, and a lower bumper black cladding that matches the surrounding body (front lip, side skirts, fenders).

Slim- and angularly-contoured, the Eagle Eyes Laser headlamps fitted give the front a more focused and athletic outlook.

They are halogen electric units, complete with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and auto On/Off and Follow-Me-Home-Light functions.

Wrapped-around and slightly jutted out, the tail lamps feature a design that matches the front head lamps with its angularly slim and sharp style.

Fitted are laser-engraved full LED units, paired to a high-mounted LED stop light (roof-edge spoiler integrated).

It rides on a set of 16-Inch multi-spoke alloy rims, wrapped in 185/55 R16 profile tyres.

Taking centre stage, installed is a portrait-oriented 14.6-Inch Intelligent ‘Central Control Screen’ infotainment unit, supporting Bluetooth, USB/AUX, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and navigation. 

The Neta V sports a front-mounted electric motor (Permanent Magnet Synchronous), generating 94 HP/70-KW and 160 NM of torque.

The Neta V is a well-equipped vehicle for its price. First, its exterior has a youthful and energising design.

Second, quality of the materials installed, inside and outside of the car are of upscale, mature design and restrained detailing. 

All in all, it is a pretty decent compact e-SUV, and aside from being a versatile urban cruiser, it is also a powerbank on wheels (V2L).