Crossword Genius

Drive and energy -- oddly very low in reverse (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

vroom

'drive and energy' is the definition.
(powerful noise of a car)

'oddly very low in reverse' is the wordplay.
'oddly' means one should take alternating letters (letters in the odd-numbered positions are used).
'low' becomes 'moo' (both can mean to make the noise of a cow).
'in reverse' says the letters should be written backwards.
The alternating letters of 'very' are 'vr'.
'moo' backwards is 'oom'.
'vr'+'oom'='VROOM'

(Other definitions for vroom that I've seen before include "Exclamation imitating a revving car" , "Fast-moving car noise" , "roar away" , "(Of engine) make roaring sound (colloq.)" , "loud engine noise" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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