Reva NXG
There are plenty of people prepared to talk about saving the planet by driving green alternatives to petrol-engined cars. But how many do you think are actually prepared to put their money where their mouths are and get behind the wheel of one?
The NXG could bring much needed glamour to the electric car scene. How true to the quirky but fun concept the final model will be is unclear, but better performance should be carried over.
There are plenty of people prepared to talk about saving the planet by driving green alternatives to petrol-engined cars. But how many do you think are actually prepared to put their money where their mouths are and get behind the wheel of one?
Sales figures show the numbers are tiny. For example, Indian firm Reva launched its battery-powered G-Wiz last May, but has so far sold only 200 examples. Hardly a warm reception, but could things be about to change?
The new NXG, designed with the help of India-based styling house DC Design (which also worked on Aston Martin's V8 Vantage), not only looksa lot better, but is bigger and quicker than the G-Wiz, too. Top speed has increased to 75mph, while the range between charges has been boosted to a far more practical 125 miles.
The two-seater format remains, as does the necessity for off-street parking to accommodate the Reva's charging equipment. However, more atten- tion has been paid to making the NXG an exciting visual package.
Although the production version is expected to feature a hard-top, the roadster concept we drove has something of the Smart Crossblade about it. A short, stubby windshield and prominent roll bar create a look somewhere between dune buggy and space age.
The car is still a work in progress, and this shows in the slightly clumsy, uncivilised ride. Much more promising is the way the 220Nm of torque propels the NXG along. The lack of any engine rumble is a little disconcerting, but the unit provides more than enough muscle to keep pace with city traffic. Inside, the cabin boasts leather chairs and a stylish LED dashboard display.
Exact details on pricing and when the newcomer will reach showrooms have yet to be finalised, but company bosses say that a production version could be ready in around 18 months. Expect the cost to be significantly higher than the G-Wiz's £6,999.
