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We shut off our protection of the 2024 Bangkok Worldwide Motor Present (BIMS) with a automobile that’s searching for some type of redemption. That is the Neta V-II, a closely revised model of the Neta V that was launched in Malaysia again in October.
The V sells moderately properly in Thailand, however in Malaysia with its RM100,000 worth ground for fully-imported EVs, the Chinese language electrical hatchback is discovering itself to be a little bit of a tough promote. Sure, it’s the most affordable of its kind within the nation, however when a way more substantial and well-equipped BYD Dolphin is barely a couple of hundred ringgit extra, you possibly can see why it hasn’t flown off the showroom ground. I imply, when was the final time you noticed one?
Consider the V-II, then, as an try to redress the steadiness considerably, giving the V a extra refined design and including a great deal of equipment that ought to’ve include the automobile within the first place. The somewhat bulbous form stays – as does a lot of the entrance finish, upswept window line and black D-pillars – however the brand new entrance bumper with a bigger “starlight” grille and (faux) nook air inlets give the automobile a extra centered look.
However the greatest adjustments could be discovered on the rear, the place the gawky inverted L-shaped taillights have given solution to way more agreeable full-width items, sitting above a cleaner rear bumper with slimmer reflectors. Chrome accents across the decrease perimeter full the outside revisions.
There are fewer visible updates on the within, which continues to be blocky wanting and options the headline 14.6-inch portrait touchscreen, a slimline 12-inch instrument show and a floating centre console. You do, nevertheless, get a slew of recent capabilities, together with the addition of Apple CarPlay (no Android Auto, sadly) and a Qi wi-fi charger. However maybe the most important enchancment is the inclusion of peak adjustment for the entrance seats, addressing a key criticism of the outgoing mannequin. The steering column continues to be mounted, nevertheless.
One other space the place the V-II will get a considerable improve is when it comes to security. You get loads of driver assists on the high-spec Good variant the place there beforehand was none, together with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise management with cease and go, a entrance departure alert and computerized excessive beam. You continue to solely get two airbags, nevertheless, so crash security nonetheless isn’t this automobile’s robust go well with.
There wasn’t something notably improper with how the Neta V really drove, so the mechanicals have been left properly alone. The V-II continues to be powered by a single entrance motor that produces 95 PS (70 kW) and 150 Nm of torque, and regardless of a barely smaller 36.1 kWh battery, the vary has really elevated barely to 382 km, nonetheless on the lenient NEDC cycle.
The place the V-II nonetheless has a bonus over its rapid competitors is in charging. It could settle for as much as 100 kW of DC quick charging, topping up the battery from 30 to 80% in half-hour; AC charging, in the meantime, takes eight hours for a full cost utilizing a 6.6 kW wallbox. The V-II can also be notable in that it incorporates a vehicle-to-load perform at as much as 3.3 kW.
Regardless of the redesign and added equipment, the beginning worth has been retained at 549,000 baht (RM71,200) for the bottom Lite model, rising as much as 569,000 baht (RM73,800) for the Good. Will the Neta V-II come to Malaysia quickly? We definitely hope so, and the beginning of CKD native meeting within the first quarter of subsequent yr looks like an ideal alternative to introduce it, permitting it to be priced below RM100,000 for the primary time.
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