The electric powered Nikola NZT is slated to hit the market in early 2019.
Impressive performance specs put the Nikola NZT in direct competition with high end performance UTVs.
Nikola Powersports revealed their four model lineup of UTVs that will be available in 2019 under the new Nikola NZT brand. The four initial models include the NZT 440, NZT 352, NZT 280 and NZT 198. The numbers represent the kW output. There are actually 10 different vehicle configurations planned based on the combination of drivetrain kW and the battery pack size. The entry level NZT 198 weighs in at 2,300 lbs. and pricing starts at $28,900. There will be 75kWh, 100kWh and 125 kWh battery options that translate into 90-150 miles of range. Top end models can start at $45,900. Production is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2018 and be in dealerships for Spring 2019. Reservations with no deposit down can be made on the company’s website.
Some of the more interesting aspects and capabilities of the NZT UTV according to management include:
- 0-60 mph in 3.5 to 5.3 seconds depending on the model
- Depending on the model the NZT has 266-590 hp and 412-722 ft lbs of torque
- Motors and gears at each wheel eliminates any belt related problems and delivers instant power, better acceleration and regenerative stopping power
- Regenerative braking and 14″ disc brakes create double the stopping power and extend life of disc brakes by 3 or 4 times
- Gear reduction at each wheel provides torque of up to 2,346 ft-lbs per wheel
- Battery packs weigh from 500 lbs to 1,500 lbs depending on size
- A DC fast charger can charge the battery pack in as little as 3 hours
- Lower center of gravity than traditional gas powered UTVs
- 4″ more legroom than the competition
- 4G uplink for over-the-air software updates
- Pin based login instead of keys
- IP67 rating on all parts provides the vehicle the ability to survive being submerged in water
Additional key features, capabilities and specs of the NZT include:
- Seating for 4
- 400V AC Motors
- 266 hp to 590 hp
- 75kWh, 100kWh and 125 kWh Lithium Ion battery pack
- Single gear reduction at each wheel
- On-demand 2WD/4WD at any speed
- Regenerative braking and active descent control
- 20″ of front and rear suspension travel
- FOX 3.0 Podium Internal Bypass Shocks
- 33″ Kevlar reinforced tires on 17″ aluminum Method beadlock wheels
- 14″ of ground clearance
- EPS
- 4,500 lb winches front and rear
- 151″ x 62″ x 74″ LxWxH and 118″ wheelbase
- Dry Weight: 2,300-4,400 lbs depending on battery pack
- 3,000 lb. towing capacity
- Roll cage made of 2″ DOM A-513 military grade steel
- 12.2″ infotainment display and 7″ instrument cluster
- 4 USV and two 12V outlets
- Digital gauge
- Bluetooth
- LED headlights, tail and brake lights
- Optional anti-lock braking
- Optional Anti-roll over and stability control
Nikola Powersports kicked off the NZT launch with a high quality video taking direct aim at what will be their competition in the high end performance UTV market. The video shows the NZT giving a couple competing UTVs including a Polaris XP Turbo a sizable head start before catching them and leaving them in the dust over a variety of terrain.
This is another significant step towards Nikola delivering on their initial promise of an all electric, high performance UTV. While they still have to take the major steps of going into production and then actually delivering vehicles, the prototype and a large part of the testing phase appears to have been completed. Obviously the Nikola NZT UTV is going to be very expensive but the lowest priced model is certainly within the price points of the current high end of the market. For example the RZR XP 4 Turbo Dynamix Edition starts at $28,499 and the RZR XP 4 Turbo FOX Edition at $25,499. In addition, even the entry level vehicle promises to provide significant performance advantages over the existing gas-powered vehicles. They are following a similar playbook to Tesla in that they are attacking the high end of the market first and no doubt plan to move down the pricing scale. The real test will be how the existing high end users will take to the Nikola NZT. I assume as Nikola gets closer to actually bringing the vehicle to market, they will be putting some vehicles in the hands of some high profile users. It will be interesting to see their reactions.
Marc Cesare, Smallvehicleresource.com