The D-segment of electric sedans in China is getting hotter. More Chinese brands are signing up for the category, the latest to do so is the Neta S -or Nezha S-, a frustrated novelty from the Beijing non-Salon, canceled due to the recent COVID outbreak. He has had to present himself to the media through the Internet.
I correct, re-introduce, last year it was shown as a model practically similar to the one that would be in series production. It was anticipated by the Neta Eureka 03 Concept prototype in 2020, with which it does not have many differences. There is little left for its commercialization and it does not have defined prices.
Neta is a brand founded in 2018 by Hozon Auto New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd., which in turn dates from 2014. Its catalog of electric cars is based on a couple of platforms, HPA and HPC, from which the U and V crossover. This is its first sedan, and it may end up leaving China for other markets.
By dimensions, it is a competitor of the BMW i3 -Chinese version-, BYD Seal, NIO ET5, or XPeng P7. It measures 4.8 meters long, 2 meters wide, and 1.4 meters high. By using an optimized platform, it can offer a huge wheelbase, 2.9 meters, which ensures good space in the rear seats.
The Neta S platform supports both 100% battery and auxiliary engine range extender. The batteries should be enough to cover more than 700 km according to the NEDC cycle, and with the range extender of another 300 km, it will not be very powerful to say.
One of the secrets of its autonomy is the battery cooling system, the Hozon EPT 4.0, which minimizes losses and increases cell performance. On the other hand, the motors are very efficient on paper, 12 kWh/100 km, and that would have to be seen.
The design is quite characteristic. The front adopts the arrangement of headlights at two heights, the upper ones being very thin and elongated. Despite being electric, it includes generous air intakes under the bumper with a very Mercedes bright dot motif. From behind it has a spoiler and diffuser, and the LED lights are a cross between Lexus and Porsche.
Inside, screens abound. The driver has minimal instrumentation behind the wheel and projection on the windshield (HUD) with hints of augmented reality. The central screen is vertical and gigantic, and the passenger has another screen for infotainment. It seems symmetrical and with very decent finishes.
There is no lack of other foreseeable amenities in a car that aspires to be high-end, such as ventilated and heated leather seats, delayed opening compartments with a button, colored ambient lighting, and a sound system with 21 speakers and 1,216 watts of power, etc.
In theory, it is prepared for practically autonomous driving, that is, Level 4. Its technology has been developed by another of the greats in China, Huawei. The array of sensors includes 13 video cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors, five microwave radars, and a pair of LiDAR emitters. Tesla is not in favor of LiDAR or radar.
Their website can only be visited in Chinese, in the international version in English they have not yet put anything about the Neta S.
