FYI: The Neta S Hunting Edition offers an enticing blend of practicality, performance, and stylish design, making waves in the competitive EV market.
Neta S Hunting Edition: A Stylish New Contender in the EV Market
Amidst the bustling field of Chinese electric vehicle startups, Neta, a brand under Hozon Auto, stands out as a rising star. Known for its moderately priced EVs and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), Neta has gained a solid foothold in China and across Asia. Its latest offering is causing substantial excitement—the sleek and practical Neta S Hunting Edition.
A Glance at Neta’s Rapid Growth
Neta is a name to watch. In 2023, the company sold an impressive 127,496 cars—a remarkable 500% increase from the previous year. With manufacturing facilities in Thailand and Indonesia, Neta has ambitious plans to expand into new markets, including Brazil and France.
Introducing the Neta S Hunting Edition
The Neta S Hunting Edition is a station wagon variant of the Neta S fastback sedan, a vehicle comparable in size to the Tesla Model 3. The transition to the wagon body style involves raising the rear of the fastback, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing and highly practical design.
For ev enthusiasts, the Neta S Hunting Edition offers both single-motor and dual-motor configurations:
- Single-Motor RWD: Equipped with a 268-horsepower motor mounted on the rear axle.
- Dual-Motor AWD: Adds a 234-horsepower motor on the front axle, complementing the rear motor for enhanced performance.
Unique Extended-Range Option
Neta includes an EREV model for the S Hunting Edition. Unlike a typical plug-in hybrid, the EREV features a 94-horsepower 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that solely charges the vehicle’s battery, without driving the wheels. This setup powers a 31.71 kWh or 43.88 kWh battery, enabling the vehicle to achieve up to 115 miles on electric power alone, according to China’s CLTC cycle.
The Price Point
While pricing details for the Neta S Hunting Edition have yet to be revealed, it’s expected to closely align with the base price of the fastback sedan sibling, approximately $22,300.
Inside the Neta S: A Closer Look
Even though the interior isn’t as luxurious as other brands like Zeekr or BYD, the Neta S offers a competitive edge with its tight fit and finish. The materials might not be premium, but they are functional and acceptable. Although there is room for improvement in terms of interior design and ergonomics, especially when compared to other brands showcased at events like the Beijing Auto Show, the overall quality is commendable.
Despite some dynamic shortcomings and interior quality issues noted by English-speaking journalists, the Neta S has been generally praised for delivering a decent driving experience and value for its price.
Conclusion
The Neta S Hunting Edition’s striking design and practical features could very well set a new trend in the EV market. If other manufacturers are paying attention, perhaps we’ll see more EV and PHEV wagons in the near future. As for enthusiasts, the potential of models like the BMW i5 Touring arriving in North America is enticing.
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William Kouch, Editor of Automotive.fyi