Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and one of the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, has a strong foundation in the vibrant and fast-growing state of West Bengal and the larger part of Eastern India. The company aims to leverage the region’s booming economic growth, increasing infrastructure projects, and rising demand for commercial vehicles to strengthen its market presence and cater to the specific needs of customers in the region.
Specific to the state of West Bengal, the market here offers exciting business opportunities, a sizable customer base, and a welcoming environment for investments. Recognizing these factors, Ashok Leyland has undertaken several strategic steps to grow significantly in this promising region.
Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, President – M&HCV, Ashok Leyland Ltd, said, “West Bengal and Eastern India at large, has been a key market for us. We have always recognized the potential this region has and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead in this geography. Like other regions in India, where our focus on customer-centricity and industry leading total cost of ownership has led to leadership positioning in multiple segments, our intent is to bring that focus here as well. We are dedicated to providing exceptional products and services by fostering mutually beneficial partnerships in the state. By bringing our technologically advanced and reliable commercial vehicles to this market, we aim to support the region’s transportation and mobility infrastructure, which in turn will empower the businesses to thrive.”
Ashok Leyland will continue to innovate and leverage new technology to be a leader in CV industry. Ashok Leyland’s robust market share growth across all segments exemplifies the technological leadership of Ashok Leyland, and the company will continue to build competitive products, organizational capabilities and efficiency for future growth. Ashok Leyland’s commitment to technology-driven operational efficiency enables the company to stay ahead of the curve and deliver exceptional results in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
Ashok Leyland has one of the largest and fastest-growing networks in the CV space. Its robust network of dealerships and service centres offer a full range of sales, service, and parts support for its entire range of commercial vehicles. The company is confident its range of products and service network will meet the needs of customers in the region and provide them with the best possible experience.
Enigma, a young Make-in-India EV manufacturer from Madhya Pradesh, is excited to announce the launch of its first showroom in Nepal. This expansion marks a significant milestone for Enigma as it fortifies its foothold in the international market, underscoring the company’s unwavering dedication to expanding its global presence and capitalizing on emerging prospects.
Located at Nagpokhri, Naxal, Kathmandu, the Enigma Electric experience centre promises to deliver an immersive and futuristic environment, providing customers with an opportunity to explore Enigma’s electric vehicle offerings. Enigma has partnered with M/s Rising Trading Company Limited, based in Kathmandu, for the distribution of its EVs in Nepal. The tie-up enables Enigma to become an exporter of electric vehicles, with M/s Rising Trading Co Ltd inaugurating their first Enigma Electric experience centre at the aforementioned location, entrusted with the responsibility of establishing Enigma’s presence in Nepal.
“Our partnership with Enigma opens up exciting opportunities for us to expand into the Nepalese market,” expressed Mr. Aziz Shrestha, a Partner at Rising Trading Company Limited. He further added, “Our ambitious aim is to establish a network of up to 15 dealership outlets throughout Nepal, ensuring that customers can directly experience the exceptional performance of Enigma’s high-speed product line.”
“At Enigma, we see this initiative as the inaugural stride towards our global expansion. We are not merely advancing electric mobility; we are instigating a revolutionary shift in transportation. Through our immersive showroom experience and the expertise of our partner, M/s Rising Trading Company Limited, we are paving the way for a network of dealerships that will bring Enigma’s high-speed electric bikes closer to customers across Nepal. With our combined efforts, Nepalese customers can look forward to an exciting future of sustainable transportation options and a brighter tomorrow” said Mr. Anmol Bohre, Managing Director, Enigma.
Enigma’s entire range of high-speed electric bikes will be available at the Nepal showroom. Customers can explore these models, which combine quality craftsmanship, advanced technology, and affordability. The showroom also features an immersive display and offers customers the opportunity to take immediate test rides, allowing them to experience the thrill and performance of Enigma electric bikes. As an exporter, Enigma will be shipping the vehicles as Completely Built Units (CBU) from India to Nepal, ensuring that customers receive the same level of quality and excellence that Enigma stands for.
A new permanent gallery at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu will showcase rarely seen archive photographs from the museum’s collections. The first exhibition will be a special selection depicting the famous Le Mans 24 hour sports car race to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first race.
The ‘In Focus’ gallery creates a space that will have temporary exhibitions of photographs, artwork, motoring objects and memorabilia – drawing from the museum’s collection of over 1.7 million items.
The Le Mans photographs depict the stages of the famous endurance race, from the start line sprint through to the checkered flag.
Gail Stewart-Bye, Senior Curator Objects and Exhibitions says, “This exhibition offers a rare chance to see a selection from our extensive photographic archive. Some of the photographs selected for this exhibition include images which are fine examples of the work of Maxwell Boyd, the renowned motor sports photographer of the 1950s and 60s.”
Le Mans – The Race of the Century will be in the National Motor Museum ‘In Focus Gallery’ from 3 June until the 10 September.
The Le Mans exhibition will be followed in September by The Magic of the Marque – celebrating 100 years of MG.
SPL Volvo, one of Volvo Car India’s esteemed dealerships located in West Bengal, is thrilled to celebrate its fifth anniversary. Since its inception, SPL Volvo has been dedicated to providing exceptional service and premium automobiles to customers in the region. The dealership’s commitment to Volvo’s core values of safety, sustainability, and innovation has contributed to its remarkable success over the past five years.
Volvo Car India’s partnership with SPL Volvo has flourished, delivering outstanding customer experiences and establishing a strong presence in West Bengal’s luxury automotive market.
In achievement of this milestone, Mr. Jyoti Malhotra, Managing Director, Volvo Car India said “Kolkata is an important market for us. Luxury car customers in Kolkata, as are those in the rest of West Bengal, are highly evolved and look for the best in cars. We are glad that we have been able to cater to their exacting aspirations through our cars and SPL Volvo has partnered us well in our endeavor”
“It has been a very fruitful five year journey with Volvo Car India and collectively we have introduced the safest luxury cars to the City of Kolkata. As we reach this five year milestone, we remain committed to giving our customers world class service that Volvo Cars have benchmarked globally” said Mr. Nikunj Sanwaria, Dealer Principal, SPL Volvo.
TVS Motor Company with a legacy rooted over 100 years, and backed by four decades of racing pedigree, has consistently built its brand’s foundation on the ethos of experiences around mobility and motor racing. With nurturing talent being at its forefront since 1982, TVS Racing announces its partnership with KidZania to create a racing experience for young enthusiasts and riders. After successfully introducing its experience centre at KidZania, Mumbai, TVS Racing unveiled its TVS Racing zone at KidZania Delhi NCR to open the world of motor racing to the racers of the future.
To further up its ante, TVS Racing has announced the launch of its first virtual championship at KidZania. This two-month long championship will be based on the participation and performance of young riders on the racing simulators, assembly zone and design challenges at the TVS Racing experience centres. Aimed at creating a thrilling feat through simulated experiences, the championship will showcase the motor racing ecosystem at a deeper level.
Backed by over 40 years of racing heritage and pedigree, TVS Racing started One Make Championship in 1994, and has thus expanded the program into four categories in India. This includes a Rookie category which focuses on nurturing talent from 13 – 18 years. TVS Racing has trained over 50+ rookie riders in the country since 2021. Additionally, TVS Racing organised the first ever Asia One Make Championship in 2022.
To introduce and promote racing culture in young minds while breaking myths and stereotypes about motor racing, TVS Racing introduces a tailored and curated experience zone for the new riders aged between 4 & 16 years. The TVS Racing experience zone at KidZania will offer a slew of interactive learning areas, knowledge sharing sessions and a mini track race arena.
Speaking on this partnership, Mr. Sudarshan Venu, Managing Director, TVS Motor Company, said, “TVS Racing has propagated and championed racing in India for over four decades. We are excited to further expand safe yet thrilling racing to customers around the world. Racing and video games offer fun and excitement, and we are delighted to be able to offer a great racing experience to kids through our partnership with KidZania!”
Vimal Sumbly, Head Business – Premium, TVS Motor Company, said, “ We recently concluded a successful launch of our first experience centre in KidZania Mumbai, and are excited about the launch at the Delhi NCR centre. TVS Racing has always been at the forefront of promoting two-wheeler racing in the country, and we believe this unique experience will not only create a memorable experience for children but will also inspire and cultivate passion for racing in the next generation. Driven by the philosophy that inspiration starts young, and aspiration starts younger, we aim to offer a fun and interactive experience for children to learn and experience the joy of racing in a safe and controlled environment. In line with this, we have launched our first ever TVS Racing virtual championship for these kids, to experience the world of motor racing at KidZania and get the opportunity to explore it in-depth.”
Expressing his enthusiasm at the launch of the experience centre at KidZania Delhi NCR, Rahul Dhamdhere, Chief Marketing Officer – KidZania India said, “We are delighted to partner with TVS Motor in bringing this unique and immersive racing experience to the young riders, in Mumbai and Delhi NCR. This collaboration represents a remarkable synergy between two industry leaders committed to fostering the development of young minds through experiential learning. Through this centre, we aim to inspire a passion for speed, innovation, and sportsmanship while providing a safe and thrilling environment for children to explore. Designed to ignite the imagination and curiosity of all its attendees, the TVS Racing Experience Centre will provide an unparalleled opportunity for budding racers to step into the shoes of a racer. Following the edutainment path of KidZania, visitors at the TVS Racing Experience Centre can look forward to an engaging and educational experience that teaches them the importance of teamwork, strategy, and discipline in the world of racing.”
The TVS Racing Experience Zone will put on offer the following –
· TVS Apache RR 310 Assembly arena
· TVS Apache RR 310 Design Studio to design your bike using cues, understanding the assembly lines, and using kits basis the given guidelines
· TVS Racing Racer including TVS Racing Simulator Experience, and a riding license from the riding school
· TVS Racing Racer Racetrack on an exclusively developed motorcycle
· Riding gear including Helmets, Gloves and riding jackets and merchandise including t-shirts for the young riders and enthusiasts
· TVS Racing Virtual Championship will be a two month contest at KidZania, where 20 performers from each location will compete for top 3 position at the grand finale
· The grand finale will witness the contenders compete in a new set of challenges, including brand-new track simulations, a timed assembly task, and design challenge with a new theme
As a first in India, TVS Motor marks its foray into curating an experience zone at KidZania, with an aim to train and improve the riding skills of young riders, further instilling the maturity of understanding that racing is meant for the tracks. The partnership is an extension of TVS Racing’s commitment of promoting motorsports as a safe and thrilling experience in controlled areas, for passionate enthusiasts and young riders.
On the 27th and 28th May, Hagerty brought together an eclectic mix of enthusiast cars to tackle the historic hill climb course at Shelsley Walsh, a venue that has huge historical importance within UK car culture being the oldest motor sport event to still be held on its original course.
Hagerty caters for all types of vehicle enthusiast and created the Hagerty Hill Climb event to be a relaxed, informal motorsport event for drivers of all abilities, and the event certainly lived up to that. Group B rally cars shared paddock space with chain-driven vintage racers which in term were parked alongside modern classics, restomods and even daily drivers. Non-drivers enjoyed a range of food outlets and additional activities in between watching the action, and drivers gladly talked about their cars to those who wanted to know more.
Timed runs created a competitive element for those who wanted it and provided a bit of additional fun to those who took a more casual approach, and the atmosphere remained relaxed as the paddock basked in the late May sunshine.
Aside from TV personality Paul Cowland, who attended both days to run his own car and chat to the crowds, the star attraction was undoubtedly one of the most impressive collections of Group A and B rally cars ever amassed, allowing guests the rare opportunity to see, and hear, these magnificent cars being used as intended.
The cars, supplied by members of the Ralli 22 Club, comprehensively covered the heyday of rallying and included the legendary Audi Sport Quattro, an amazing Lancia 037, the instantly recognisable Metro 6R4 and the all-conquering Mitsubishi Lancer.
Mark Roper, Managing Director of Hagerty International, said “What a fabulous weekend. We had great cars, great people, and great weather to make the beautiful Shelsley Walsh even more spectacular than ever. This event encapsulates what Hagerty is all about as we welcomed a wide range of vehicle enthusiasts in a relaxed environment where everyone was able to have fun with their cars. Thanks to all who came along, and we look forward to the Hagerty Hill Climb becoming a regular event on the motoring calendar.”
A century ago, a Bentley 3 Litre would become the first British car and the first Bentley to compete at the gruelling Le Mans 24 Hours race in its debut year. As this iconic race – a 24-hour full- throttle test of man and machine – celebrates its centenary, that very first Bentley has been sold to a British enthusiast for in excess of £3m.
Brokered by Kidston SA, a company founded by Simon Kidston – the nephew of Glen Kidston, who won the 1930 Le Mans 24 Hours at the wheel of a Bentley – this car represents the beginning of the Bentley legend, and the establishing of the tradition of ‘The Bentley Boys’. Kidston, Clement, Duff and others like Sir Tim Birkin, Dr Dudley Benjafield or one-time Bentley Chairman Woolf Barnato would become known as The Bentley Boys for their hard-charging racing lifestyle. As company founder W.O Bentley said of this group’s antics: “The public liked to imagine them living in Mayfair flats. Drinking Champagne in nightclubs, playing the horses and the Stock Exchange, and beating furiously around the racing tracks at the weekend. Of several of them, this was not such an inaccurate picture.”
This car, Chassis 141, was entered and driven by Canadian WW1 veteran, adventurer and Bentley dealer John Duff at the Double 12 Hour Record at Brooklands (24-hour racing was banned so locals could sleep), covering 2,082 miles at 86.79mph and setting 38 international records. He then asked W.O Bentley to prepare his dependable car for a new 24-hour race to be held at a place in France called Le Mans. Although Bentley thought it mad, he agreed and lent factory test driver Frank Clement to co-drive. After 24 hours at the wheel – during which they set the lap record of 66.69mph, in a car with rear brakes only – they finished joint 4th, despite having run out of fuel due to stones puncturing the tank
Bentley and The Bentley Boys would return to Le Mans for the following year’s 24-hour race. And this time they would win. From 1927 to 1930, Bentley won the Le Mans 24 Hours four times in succession, marking one of the most dominant runs in the history of the race. And it’s all down to the pioneering achievements of Chassis 141 in convincing company founder, W.O. Bentley, that his cars were capable of not only completing a 24-hour race, but winning it.
W.O himself said that he owned a great deal to John Duff and Chassis 141. Following the Le Mans 24 Hours races in 1923 and 1924, Bentley sold 700 vehicles in two years – all of this from a young manufacturer that had only delivered its first car in 1921. It’s not an overstatement to say that the success of the Bentley brand as a whole can be traced back to these achievements.
But, in time, Chassis 141 lived a more mundane life. It was later used as a tow vehicle, and then had its rear bodywork altered into a shooting brake by the local undertaker. During the late ’40s it was used by its lady owner to transport her St. Bernard dogs to shows. And then it was forgotten, only resurfacing again in the early 1980s when the owner of the Donington Car Museum, Tom Wheatcroft, received a call from a 97-year-old lady offering him two old cars in her barn, a Bentley and a Voisin. He bought them with no idea of the Bentley’s history, and it sat as a project until a motoring journalist identified it as the long-lost first Bentley to race at Le Mans. A deal was eventually reached with Australian collector Peter Briggs, whose Brabham Formula 1 car was on loan to the Donington Museum. The Brabham stayed at Donington, and the Bentley headed to Australia to be restored and eventually become a centrepiece of Briggs’ York Motor Museum near Perth. Its return to Britain brings its history full circle.
Commenting on the transaction, Simon Kidston said: “This week the most famous motor race in the world celebrates its 100th birthday and its pioneering early competitors remain as intriguing as ever. This Bentley isn’t just an old car, it’s a turning point in motor racing history and a cornerstone of the Bentley legend. And personally, having inherited a family passion for cars which was accelerated by my ‘Bentley Boy’ uncle, helping to bring this Bentley home feels really satisfying. It won’t be leading a quiet life: it’ll be lining up on the grid of the Le Mans 100th anniversary race for vintage cars next month. I hope its original drivers will be looking down and smiling.”
Norton Motorcycles has launched its first naked sport motorcycle and the most powerful British café racer: the Norton V4CR.
The rebellious younger sibling of the V4SV, the V4CR delivers artistic modern design coupled with a riding experience befitting its 185 brake horsepower.
With just 200 set to be made, the naked superbike café racer is the first brand-new motorcycle produced by TVS-owned Norton, following on from the re-engineered V4SV and new-generation Norton Commando 961 launched last year.
Meticulously hand built at the company’s Solihull headquarters, the new bike inherits all the hallmarks of Norton’s DNA with beauty in its flowing lines, the distinctive forward angle of the engine and the signature hourglass silhouette.
The stripped-back carbon-fibre fairing reveals the scrupulous attention to detail in the handmade aluminium frame, titanium exhaust system and precision welding. Exposed air intakes at the front, combined with the short body and compact tail unit, gives the V4CR its unique aggressive stance.
By taking the exquisite engineering of the V4SV, the V4CR offers the same surefooted handling and pinpoint power delivery, only without the barrier between the rider and the ride. It is an experience without the filter, marrying design and beauty with the intoxicating thrill of the wind in your face and a road yet to be discovered.
Available in two colour schemes, Carbon or Manx Platinum, the superbike café racer features an under-seat carbon fibre 15-litre fuel tank, with Kevlar reinforcement, and carbon-fibre body panels.
It is also the second motorcycle to be powered by Norton’s own liquid-cooled 1200cc, 72-degree V4 engine, which has been optimised to produce 185bhp at 12,000rpm and 125Nm of torque at 9,000rpm.
The combination of a handmade exhaust system and sound of the V4 engine ensures that roads reverberate with the iconic snarling of a Norton engine once more.
A quick shifter and auto blipper system, adjustable Öhlins front and rear suspension, Brembo brakes, solid aerospace grade aluminium billet-machine yokes, a sophisticated lean-angle sensitive traction-control and three engine modes (wet, road and sport) are all featured on this British-made motorcycle.
As standard, the Norton V4CR has a traditional single round headlamp fitted with a modern LED unit, keyless ignition and a full-colour six-inch TFT display.
When it comes to the finishes, the Manx Platinum option presents platinum-coloured bodywork complemented by carbon panels, a striking orange seat and forged aluminium OZ racing wheels. The second option, the V4CR Carbon, features exposed carbon fibre bodywork, with a black seat and carbon fibre BST wheels.
Dr. Robert Hentschel, CEO of Norton Motorcycles, said: “The Norton V4CR is a raw expression of impeccable design and intoxicating performance. We’ve taken the engineering of the V4SV and stripped back the outer shell to ensure the rider gets a truly uninhibited motorcycling experience.
“The V4CR is the first completely new model we’ve built. Our engineering and design teams have been meticulous in their approach, from initial sketches to concept production, through to the final finishing touches. The bike is the culmination of all our learnings and investment over the last three years and we’re delighted that we can now share this taste of Norton’s future.”
Hyundai Motor Company celebrated the restoration of the Pony Coupe Concept car during the inaugural Hyundai Reunion held at historic Villa Pliniana in Lake Como, Italy.
The event brought together former and present Hyundai engineers and designers to commemorate the previously announced restoration of the 1974 concept car that led to the creation of the brand’s Pony line-up, Korea’s first independently developed mass-production models.
Hyundai Motor collaborated with Italian design firm GFG Style, notably its father and son founders Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro to rebuild the influential 1974 Pony Coupe Concept that young Giorgetto created for Hyundai’s debut at the 1974 Turin Motor Show.
At the event, Hyundai Motor also showcased its N Vision 74 concept, which was inspired by the Pony Coupe Concept. These two vehicles represent a shared lineage between the company’s past and future, illustrating the continuation of its ambition to be innovative and daring.
“Despite the poor industrial environment in the 1970s, my grandfather and Hyundai’s Founding Chairman Ju-young Chung poured his heart and soul into rebuilding Korea’s economy and improving the lives of its people after the devastating Korean War. He finally realized his vision of making Korea a country capable of developing its own vehicles with perfection,” said Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group. “I express my sincere gratitude to everyone from both Italy and Korea who played a critical role in the success of Pony.”
Hyundai Reunion, a heritage brand platform that reflects on Hyundai Motor’s past and its future direction, has brought together all the designers and engineers involved on N Vision 74 and the original Pony Coupe Concept, including Giorgetto Giugiaro and former Hyundai Motor President Chung Goo Lee, for the celebration.
“In the age of electrification, a key condition for Hyundai Motor Company to become a leader in future mobility will be our ability to remain faithful to the unshakable values we inherited,” said Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. “Moving forward, through Hyundai Reunion and other heritage communication initiatives, we will continue to leverage our past as a unique vector for our future innovation.”
Hyundai Motor introduced the original Pony Coupe Concept at the 1974 Turin Motor Show, which was a major international auto show at the time. The two-door sports car’s exterior featured a sleek roofline, pure surfaces, dynamic proportion profiles and a unique shape for the B pillar, which elevated its daring spirit. The interior showcased an iconic sensibility with the Giugiaro monocoque design and driver-centered floating architecture.
With its unique aesthetic sensibility, the 1974 Pony Coupe Concept was a groundbreaking model in its time. Unfortunately, due to the adverse global economic conditions in the late 1970s, what could have been Hyundai’s first sensational sports car was unable to reach commercial production and was lost to history. Nevertheless, the concept helped awaken an appreciation for innovative design principles at the company during its early days, and so it has served as a significant influence on the design direction of its current and future endeavors.
The 1974 Pony Coupe Concept embodied Hyundai’s Founding Chairman Ju-yung Chung’s desire to create a ‘high-performance sports car’ at a time when Hyundai didn’t yet possess the capability to design or develop a model on its own. Eventually, the ambition for Hyundai to export automobiles to developed countries, invigorate the Korean economy and improve the standard of living for Koreans materialized. Nearly half a century after the concept’s debut, the first Hyundai Reunion paid tribute to both the original Pony Coupe Concept and Italy, celebrating the human-centered innovation that has, and still is driving Hyundai Motor’s endeavors.
MG Motor India, a British automobile brand with a 99-year-old legacy, has created a stir in the auto market with the launch of its smart electric vehicle, the MG Comet EV, ushering a new chapter in urban mobility solutions for India. The versatile GSEV-platform-based pure EV has a minimalist yet spacious design and possesses an inherent agility that allows smooth, stress-free commuting within the city. The Comet is the second EV in MG Motor India’s portfolio and comes with futuristic and user-friendly smart technologies.
But does the MG Comet have all that it takes to woo the present generation car buyers? Will the price sensitive Indian consumer be willing to buy a 4-seater micro car for INR 7,98,000? As we test drove the MG Comet on the roads of Delhi NCR during the national media drive, we slowly unraveled the answers to several pertinent questions. Read on to find out what we discovered.
Design and Engineering
The design of the MG Comet EV manifests the future-tech world. The Comet measures 2,974mm in length, 1505 mm in width and stands 1640 mm tall with a 2010 mm wheelbase. Designed on the concept of BICO—’Big Inside, Compact Outside’, Comet EV is comfortably spacious and offers sufficient legroom, shoulder room and headroom in the front row. In the second row, there is adequate space to accommodate two medium-built adults or two children.
The curved tech body line accentuates the aerodynamic and stylish aspects of the Comet EV from the outside. The sides of the Comet EV carry a futuristic rear-view mirror design with a floating motif. The aero-craft cabin window in the second row allows for added visibility in the Comet EV. With both the rear seats upright, there is zero boot space, which is a bummer. However, with the rear seats folded, there is enough luggage space for your weekend getaway. While not being a traditional 5-seater might sound like a deal breaker for some, however, a recent survey reveals that as many as 70% of the Indian travel solo within the city during their daily commute.
The MG Comet is available in three trim levels – base variant Pace, mid-level trim Play and top-of-the-line variant Plush. In addition to this, MG has also introduced two special editions of the Comet EV- the Gamer edition and the LIT edition – tailored to vibe with the personalities of the next generation of urban commuters—gaming and tech communities, and fashionistas.
MG Comet EV is available in five colour schemes – two dual tones and three mono tone shades with several personalisation options including 250 plus decaloptions, and graphics to add to the fun and tech vibe of the smart EV for its different genres of Gen Z customers.
Most importantly, in terms of road presence the MG Comet is a head turner. It was a just few days before its market launch when we test drove the Comet in Delhi NCR and the public reaction was simply superb. At every traffic signal that we would stop, motorists from the neighbouring cars would roll down their windows to enquire about the name, launch date and price. There was just immense inquisitiveness among the general public about the MG Comet; something which we have never witnessed before. And that speaks volumes about its stylish and cute looks. The designers at MG deserve a pat on their back for pulling this off.
Interior and Comfort
Despite its compact dimensions, the MG Comet EV has a comfortable and roomy cabin with a 4-seater configuration with 50:50 settings on the second row of seats. The modern-style cabin space is combined with smart technology configurations with many functions to support this modern urban EV’s comfort and interactive aspects.
The Comet EV’s multi-function and uniquely designed steering comes combined with intelligent tech and futuristic pod-like controls that lend the EV a modern gadget-like feel. The rotary gear selector is a transmission operation with a futuristic rotary knob decorated with chrome rings and unique patterns. In addition, the centre console is equipped with useful features such as electric window operation buttons and a 12-Volt charging port. The air conditioning is very effective and quickly cools the passenger cabin while the factory-fitted music system boasts of decent acoustics. Overall, a neat job done by MG.
Ride and Handling
The MG Comet EV is powered by a 17.3 KWH Li-Ion battery and claims to have an evaluated range of 230 kilometres on a single charge; however, the real life figures will certainly be lower. The Comet offers a linear power delivery with zero lag. It is very responsive to throttle inputs and overtaking within the city feels like a walk in the park. However, on open highways, the Comet could run out of breath.
Given its compact dimensions, the Comet is really easy to maneuver even in congested city roads and incredibly easy to park in tight spots. The suspension set up is thoughtfully engineering keeping the Indian road conditions in mind as the Comet absorbs the undulation on the road with relative ease. Overall it’s fun & zippy to drive and despite its slight tall boy design remains planted on the ground during sharp turns and corners.
Technology
MG Comet EV is equipped with in-built iSmart system which comes with 55 plus connected car features and 100 plus voice commands. It has a floating twin display widescreen with a 10.25-inch head unit and a 10.25-inch digital cluster. Moreover, the entertainment system is equipped with widgets with three fully customizable pages to give customers access to a range of entertainment, and connectivity options. Another unique feature of the MG Comet EV is the smart key. The stylish design of the key adds to the tech-vibe of the Comet EV.
Safety
The Comet EV is a safe vehicle in all aspects, be it its exterior or the interior. It comes powered with a 17.3 kWh Li-ion battery with Prismatic Cells that have undergone 39 battery plus car safety tests for a longer cycle life. It is IP67-rated, making it highly resistant to water and dust. All these ensure maximum safety for every possible condition. The high strength vehicle body with 17 hot stamping panels makes the overall structure of the MG Comet EV strong and safe. The Comet EV comes loaded with segment-leading active and passive safety features such as dual front airbags, ABS +EBD, front & rear 3 point seat belts, rear parking camera & sensor, TPMS (Indirect) and ISOFIX child seat.
Verdict
With the Comet EV, MG aims to change the way we commute in our cities. The Comet is built on the pure electric GSEV platform; the fastest to hit the 1 million EV sales mark globally. The car seamlessly blends style, technology, and sustainability, offering a versatile and spacious ride with safety features. MG understands that the future of mobility is electric and connected. With the Comet EV, MG aims to woo the Generation Z car buyers.
The Comet EV has around 230 km certified battery range, on a single charge. With its practical aspects like easy to drive, easy to manoeuvre, easy to park, easy to charge, and easy on the pocket and environment, the Comet EV is not only a definitive segment creator but also an important and timely offering for urban commuters and EV enthusiasts in India.
For the urban-young commuter, savings really matter. The Comet EV has been evaluated by MG to provide an encouraging charging cost of Rs 519 per 1,000 km. MG has also priced it smartly making the Comet the most affordable EV on sale in India and has the potential to pave the way for MG’s next success story after the Hector and Astor in India.
Power Drive 