Preface
In my opinion, the best form for electric cars is still the coupe, which can fully leverage its advantages, such as the low air resistance coefficient brought by the aerodynamic appearance and the driving experience brought by the low center of gravity. Therefore, every new carmaker is paying attention to the design of their electric coups. Today, I was invited to test drive the latest electric coupe from Naza Motors, the Naza S.
There were two Naza S vehicles prepared for the test drive: a black extended-range rear-wheel-drive version and a blue LiDAR rear-wheel-drive version.
Exterior
First of all, I was impressed by the Naza S’s design. The overall design is quite complete, with a rounded front face matching the thin-eyed headlights and the square-shaped main headlights, which makes it look very impactful.
The tail is equipped with a through-type taillight that extends up and down on both sides, which has high recognition.
The sporty wheel rims and the four-piston brake calipers, combined with the overall aerodynamic body, also look very beautiful from the side.
Overall, although the Naza S has a length of 4980mm and a width of 1980mm, it does not give a sense of heaviness, which shows that Naza has put a lot of effort into the design.
Interior
Entering the car, the interior style is the new force’s traditional simple style. There are still not many physical buttons, but it is equipped with a HUD system, which greatly improves the driving convenience. However, even the seat adjustment is combined with the car’s computer settings, and the window buttons are also designed to be touch-sensitive. It may take some time to get used to in actual use. In terms of interior materials, a large number of soft materials and suede are used, and almost every touchable part has been designed, which is pretty good.
The comfort of the seats is good, although the wrapping is average, which is understandable because the combination of wrapping and comfort can be difficult to achieve to a certain extent. The rear seats can be electrically adjusted for angle, and together with the good interior space, the rear passengers can have a very comfortable riding experience.
The steering wheel buttons are designed in a Tesla-style roller, which is moderately thick and provides good hand feeling.
The most stunning feature for me is the orange interior.
The actual color is not as bright as in the photos, but rather a comfortable low-saturation orange color, coupled with the embellishments of solid wood, creating a warm atmosphere. For those who are interested, you can go to the store to see the actual car, which is definitely stunning.
Driving
As for the driving configuration, the NIO ES6 is not inferior to mainstream sedans at all, with a 50:50 axle load ratio and front double wishbone and rear five-link suspension. This layout provides the ES6 with ample room to exhibit its sportiness, coupled with the acceleration of the electric motor and the braking assistance of the four-piston caliper, which has increased my anticipation for the test drive of ES6.
As the rear-wheel drive version was tested today, the acceleration experience was not that ultimate. However, the smoothness of the acceleration can be felt during the starting phase. Coupled with the good grip of the Michelin PS4 tires, the torque of the motor can be fully exerted, and the intensity of the energy recovery is not sudden, which gradually increases as the vehicle speed decreases, which is very commendable.
The braking feel is without any problems, and the linearity is well done. The 36-meter braking distance can give the driver confidence in track driving.
But the overall driving experience is not perfect. In high-speed turns and U-turns, the suspension support is still somewhat soft, and the vehicle’s body roll is still somewhat excessive. However, I think it is not a big problem, after all, the ES6 is more oriented towards daily use, and the soft suspension can provide a more comfortable driving experience for daily use – this can be considered a trade-off. At the same time, the issue of seat wrapping that I mentioned earlier also appeared in consecutive turns on the track.
Summary
Overall, in my opinion, the rear-wheel drive version of the NIO ES6 is an excellent performance family car. Although its appearance and configuration are very sporty, it is more comfortable in tuning and atmosphere.I don’t think this style difference is derogatory, but rather a sober expression of the manufacturer. After all, most consumers drive in daily scenarios. With its sporty appearance and rich configuration, NETA S stands out among its peers as a worthy choice.
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.