Tag: mg-motor-india

MG ZS EV Review

Joydip SurLeave a comment

Introduction

The MG ZS EV was first launched in India on January 23, 2020. Positioned as the country’s first pure electric internet SUV, the ZS EV instantly found patronage among those customers who desired an electric SUV with premium features and competitive pricing.

On March 7, 2022, a little over two years since its inaugural launch, the face-lifted version of the ZS EV drove in with revised styling, added features and most importantly, an extended drive range that set the Indian car market on fire.

Very recently, the MG ZS EV came to visit us at Power Drive where we got an opportunity to get up close and personal with the ZS EV. Did the MG ZS EV live up to our expectations? Does the ZS EV offer the best value proposition in its segment? Read on to find out what we discovered.

Design & Engineering

The new MG ZS EV still very much looks like the earlier ZS from every angle, but now features a closed-off grille at the front. The charging port that was earlier under the big MG logo has been shifted to the side and the new stylish bumpers are the most prominent revisions that catches the eye and offers the ZS EV a highly distinctive appearance on the road.

The dynamic lines and a unique style combined with the wide SUV stance gives the ZS EV its progressive look. The MG ZS EV also features full LED Hawkeye headlamps in addition to full LED tail lamps that accentuate its overall look.

The MG ZS EV also comes with 17-inch alloy wheels (43.18cm) with Tomahawk hub design adding to the bold look to the SUV. Overall, these tweaks in the external design and styling have added value to the MG ZS EV.

The MG ZS EV is available across four trim levels – Executive, Excite Pro, Exclusive Plus and Essence and comes in four attractive colour schemes which include Glaze Red, Aurora Silver, Starry Black and Candy White.

Interior & Comfort

Step inside the new MG ZS EV and you will be welcomed into a spacious and premium passenger cabin with plush interiors in dark grey interior theme or the new dual tone iconic ivory interior theme. The ZS EV is far roomier inside than many electric cars in this price bracket. Thanks to intelligent packaging, space up front is good, with plenty of head and leg room for the driver and passenger. Rear space too is excellent. There’s also more than enough head room for a six-footer despite the sky roof. The seats are well bolstered and comfortable resulting in a relaxing ride.

The interior boasts of superb build and quality, and an overall fit & finish that is worthy of a car in this price segment. The new MG ZS EV also features a panoramic sky roof that lets you enjoy the ride in the comfort of extra light and fresh air.

The MG ZS EV comes loaded with the largest-in-segment 25.7 cm HD touchscreen infotainment that gives you all the information at a single glance and allows you to manage complete vehicle settings with just a touch. The ZS EV features a full digital cluster with the largest-in-segment 17.78 cm embedded LCD screen that makes your drive more seamless.

The i-SMART technology combines hardware, software, services and applications to make your driving experience easier and smoother. The MG ZS EV offers 75+ connected car features, ushering in an era of convenient connected drives.

Performance and Handling

The MG ZS EV is powered by a 50.3 kWh battery with a permanent magnet synchronous motor mated to an automatic transmission. It produces 176.75 PS of maximum power and 280 Nm of peak torque delivering a company claimed range of up to 461 kilometres in a single charge. The estimated 7.4 kWH charge time from 0-100% ranges between 8.5 to 9 hours.

The MG ZS EV is excellent to drive within the city making is an ideal choice for the urban daily commute. The electric motor is quite responsive to throttle inputs with sufficient power in the tap for overtaking when necessary.

Despite its tall design, the body roll is well contained as the ZS EV stays well planted to the tarmac while navigating sharp turns at reasonable speeds. The suspension set up with MacPherson Strut in the front and Torsion Beam in the rear, is well tuned for Indian road conditions with the ZS EV absorbing undulations on the roads with relative ease resulting in a comfortable ride.

17 Autonomous Level-2 Features

Advanced Driver Assistance System or ADAS, like it’s popularly known now, is a group of safety and convenience functions intended to improve comfort and safety for drivers. The MG ZS EV is equipped with 17 ADAS features which work on three levels of sensitivity – low, medium and high and three levels of warning – haptic, audio and visual.

ADAS implements possible safeguards in the vehicle and automates driving controls. Autonomous Level-2 features not just makes driving more comfortable but also keeps your safety at the forefront. With level-2, the system can not only perform acceleration/ braking functions but can also activate steering control to assist the driving.

Safety

MG ZS EV comes with 6 airbags, which include dual front airbags, front-seat side-impact airbags, and side-curtain airbags that work together with the seatbelts. It also comes equipped with Electronic Stability Control, ABS + EBD + Brake Assist, Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Hill Climb Assist, Hill Descent Control (HDC), Electric Parking Brake with Auto Hold, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Reverse Parking Camera as standard across all trim levels.

Verdict

The problem with electric SUVs is that, while they are economical to run, however, they can be rather expensive to buy in the first place. There is one notable exception, though – the MG ZS EV which has decimated this myth, despite its premium positioning. The MG ZS EV looks dynamic, is spacious, well-equipped and extremely well priced for what MG is offering in the car. Shortcomings if any, when pitted against rival electric SUVs, the MG ZS EV makes up for that with its competitive price tag, high levels of equipment, impressive electric range and great practicality. This is the car to add in your garage and a fantastic daily runner, especially within the city and occasionally during weekend escapades.

Photographs courtesy Sourish Meryson

MG Windsor Review

Joydip SurLeave a comment

SAIC Motor, a global Fortune 500 company with a presence in over 100 countries and JSW Group, a revered Indian corporate with varied business interests entered into a joint venture – JSW MG Motor India Pvt. Ltd. in 2023.

At the time of formation of the joint venture, JSW MG Motor India announced that their goal will be to build a smart and sustainable automotive ecosystem while continuing to stay focused on developing a diverse portfolio of vehicles to give car buyers better access to advanced technologies and futuristic products with attractive value propositions.

Fast forward to September 2024 and JSW MG Motor India has launched their first car since the formation of the JV – the MG Windsor EV. Launched at the price of a manual compact SUV, the Windsor, combining the comfort of a sedan and the expanse of an SUV, will be offered with innovative aerodynamic design, spacious and premium interiors, smart connectivity, driving comfort, and many hi-tech features.

Built on a ‘Pure EV Platform’ with BaaS – a unique ownership program, MG Windsor is being offered at an industry disrupting price of Rs 9.99 lakhs + Rs 3.5 per kilometre of battery usage – a path-breaking ownership concept introduced by a carmaker for the very first time in India.

And for the conventional purists who believe in the age-old concept of outright purchase, the Windsor comes at an unbeatable ex-showroom price of Rs. 13.49 lakhs for the base variant going upto Rs 15.49 lakhs for the top trim.

Recently, we were invited for the national media drive of the MG Windsor. Read on to find out all that you want to know about the newest kid in the block.

Design and Engineering

The MG Windsor is being positioned as a CUV or Crossover Utility Vehicle. It is an interesting cross between a sedan and a compact SUV. From the engineering standpoint, balancing and blending two different body styles isn’t an easy task, however, the designers at MG deserves a pat on their back for pulling it off well.

The MG Windsor measures 4,295mm in length, 2,126mm in width, and stands 1,677mm tall. The best-in-segment 2,700mm wheelbase ensures that the MG Windsor offers a great balance between ride & handling and comes with a specious passenger cabin.

The MG Windsor features an AeroGlide design language, which is futuristic and transcends the concept of traditional segmentation. The nose and bonnet have a distinct two-deck layout. The horizontal daytime running lamps strip forms the base of the bonnet, while the headlights sit below in the bumper. Integrated into the headlight area is a mirror-like panel that reflects images with clarity. MG has added some black trim bits bracketing the headlights, with the one inside connecting the two units and carrying the Morris Garages lettering, above which sits an illuminated MG logo.

MG’s AeroGlide design language is more prominently visible when viewed from the side. The MG Windsor features smart flush door handles which look very trendy. The R18 diamond cut alloy wheels further enhances the striking good looks of the MG Windsor. At the top, the roof rails add to the aesthetics.

At the rear, the LED tail lights look sleek, and the lower bumper edge is finished off with a nice diffuser-style contrasting black panel. Topping the rear is a spoiler with an integrated stop light. Overall, the MG Windsor EV looks impressive and is sure to turn heads on the road.

The NVH levels are also well contained. The MG Windsor is being offered in three variants: base trim Excite, mid-level variant Exclusive, and top-of-the-line Essence; and four colours: Starburst Black, Pearl White, Clay Beige, and Turquoise Green.

Interior and Comfort

Step inside the MG Windsor EV and you will be welcomed into a premium passenger cabin with aero lounge seats that can be reclined upto 135 degrees, coupled with the expansive infinity view glass roof, adding to the business class experience.

The cabin is spacious with adequate head, shoulder and knee room for both front and rear passengers along with easy ingress and egress. The seats are well bolstered & comfortable and wear an opulent look. The front seats are ventilated with the driver’s seat coming with a 6-way adjustable option.

Immersive entertainment and smart connectivity features are powered by a massive 15.6-inch Grand View Touch Display in the central console. For music lovers, the MG Windsor also comes equipped with nine speakers (4 speakers, 4 tweeters, 1 subwoofer) that make your listening experience more pleasurable.

The MG Windsor also allows you to choose from an array of 256 ambient lighting options with auto change technology and make your drives express the way you feel. Other features in the MG Windsor includes Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, multi-function steering controls, wireless smartphone charger, wooden finish highlights, driver armrest storage, rear-centre armrest with cupholders, and 604 litres of boot space – all of which makes the MG Windsor an attractive proposition.

Performance and Handling

The MG Windsor comes equipped with the powerful PMS Motor which is IP67 certified. Impressive performance is derived through a 38 kWh Li-ion battery pack and four driving modes (Eco+, Eco, Normal and Sport) that deliver 100KW (136PS) power and 200Nm of instant torque, offering a range of 331 kilometres. The battery can be charged in 40 minutes at any DC fast charger. The prismatic cells battery meets the optimal safety standards and is certified to operate with durability and stability.

The throttle response in great with almost no power lag. Driving the Windsor both within the city or on the highway feels like a breeze. The MG Windsor stays firmly planted on the ground even while navigating tight corners. The engineers at MG has achieved a commendable balance between good ride and handling. The suspension set up featuring MacPherson strut in the front and torsion beam at the rear is well tuned for Indian road conditions and absorbs the undulation on the road with relative ease. On the whole, the MG Windsor promises to be a good city car while also proving its worthiness on the highway.

Safety

With growing awareness among consumers, safety has emerged as one of the top priorities of carmakers around the world. The MG Windsor comes with 6 airbags (dual front, side & curtain) as standard across all variants. It also features 360° surround view cameras and rear parking sensors to ease your parking woes in tight spaces especially in the crowded neighbourhood within the city. Electronic stability programme, electric parking brake auto hold, hill-start assist control, auto dimming inside rear view mirror, hill descent control, rain sensing wipers, and tyre pressure monitoring system are some of the other features in the MG Windsor EV which assures you of great all around safety.

Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS)

For the first time in India’s passenger vehicle segment, JSW MG Motor India is introducing an innovative ownership plan through Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) offering, which makes owning an electric CUV at the price of a manual engine-based compact SUV possible. This flexible ownership program eliminates the upfront cost of the battery, enabling customers to pay only for its usage. Essentially, buyers pay a nominal fee per kilometre driven, which is 40% of the fuel costs of conventional vehicles. This model significantly reduces the initial acquisition cost and lowers the per-kilometre expense, ensuring an economical and hassle-free ownership experience.

In addition, the company is offering a first-of-its-kind lifetime battery warranty to the first owner of MG Windsor. With the eHUB by MG app, the company is offering one year of free public charging, making it easier than ever for Windsor owners to power up anytime, anywhere. JSW MG Motor India is also introducing its 3-60 assured buyback plan for the Windsor which ensures that it will retain 60% of its value after 3 years/45,000kms.

Verdict

The MG Windsor is the first car that has come out of the JV between JSW & MG Motor India. The whole team has worked very hard to bring this car to India. As a crossover utility vehicle, the Windsor successfully manages in merging the comfort of a sedan with the expanse of an SUV, making it an ideal car for the Indian household. With its delightful features and easy to drive dynamics, MG Windsor will certainly invite newer sets of customers to try EVs.  It is an ideal vehicle for customers looking to beat the bustling urban roads and tighter spaces in smaller towns, in comfort and style. With its advanced features, innovative design, and disruptive pricing, the Windsor most definitely sets a new benchmark.

All photographs by Sourish Meryson

JSW MG Motor India Launches Multiple Industry-First EV Ecosystem Initiatives At DriEV.Bharat

Joydip SurLeave a comment

JSW MG Motor India launched a series of pioneering electric vehicle (EV) innovations at DriEV.Bharat. This event was organiszed by the company at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, in partnership with leading industry players from diverse automotive and EV ecosystem domains. This first-of-its-kind event reflects the unwavering commitment of the manufacturer to advancing EV technology and the faster adoption of electric vehicles along with building a robust EV infrastructure for a hassle-free ownership experience. The event featured the launch of–eHUB by MG, the Industry’s first and largest charging platform by an OEM; of Project REVIVE, focused on repurposing EV batteries beyond cars; of EVPEDIA, India’s first dedicated educational and knowledge platform for electric car users; the MG-Jio Innovative Connectivity Platform (MG-Jio ICP), which will be standard in all upcoming MG vehicles.

Underscoring the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, the industry’s first charging platform, eHUB by MG was introduced at the event. This is intended to simplify the EV charging experience for customers nationwide by providing them with a single platform. The company also introduced Project REVIVE, an initiative in partnership with TERI, Lohum and BatX, aimed at repurposing EV batteries beyond cars to provide a second life as renewable energy storage systems for sustainable community applications. This initiative promotes a circular economy, a system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources through principles of reuse, repair, and recycling, and supports India’s clean energy goals. Reinforcing its commitment to enhancing consumer awareness and addressing their queries, JSW MG Motor India launched EVPEDIA—an industry-first dedicated EV education platform. This initiative provides reliable, accurate, and engaging information on EV technology, benefits, costs, and maintenance. By debunking myths and fostering informed decisions, EVPEDIA builds EV advocacy and promotes broader EV adoption.

The carmaker also announced that all upcoming MG cars will feature the MG-Jio Innovative Connectivity Platform (MG-Jio ICP) as a standard inclusion. This is a technology stack which introduces several firsts, including the MG App Store for in-car gaming, entertainment, and learning, superior voice capability in six Indian languages, and a groundbreaking Home-to-Car functionality. At the event, a panel discussion amongst industry experts, such as EY and IIT was held about the long-term benefits of EVs.

Gaurav Gupta, Chief Growth Officer at JSW MG Motor India, highlighted the company’s vision to redefine the future of electric mobility in India, stating, “DriEV.Bharat reflects our unwavering commitment to advancing EV technology and enhancing the user experience to accelerate EV adoption. With initiatives such as our unified charging platform, battery second-life project, EV education, and the MG-Jio ICP, we are empowering the industry as well as our customers with smarter, more sustainable choices.”

A pioneer in India’s electric vehicle landscape, JSW MG Motor has successfully launched the country’s first internet electric SUV, the MG ZS EV, and the innovative Street-Smart urban mobility solution, the MG Comet EV. Committed to fostering a comprehensive EV ecosystem, the brand offers 6-way charging solutions and aims to install 1,000 community chargers nationwide. Through strategic partnerships with key industry players and initiatives like the MGDP and MG Nurture, JSW MG Motor has engaged with over 1,500 startups and collaborated with more than 50 colleges to drive EV education and skill development.

eHUB by MG

eHUB by MG is a one-stop solution for EV charging, simplifying the process of locating, reserving, and paying for charging stations. With access to the almost entire charging network of the country through partnerships with leading providers like Adani Total Energies Limited (ATEL), BPCL, Chargezone, Glida, HPCL, Jio-BP, Shell, Statiq, Zeon, and many others who shall be on-boarded soon, eHUB offers a seamless charging experience. Available in 11 languages and equipped with trip-planning features, the app provides a hassle free EV charging experience.

Project REVIVE

Project REVIVE is a pioneering initiative to repurpose used EV batteries in partnership with TERI and Lohum. The project extracts healthy battery components and builds energy solutions for use in schools and community centres. By extending the lifespan of EV batteries, Project REVIVE reduces waste and provides reliable power to underserved communities. The pilot at a Mukteshwar school demonstrates the practical impact of this innovative approach to environmental sustainability.

EVPEDIA

EVPEDIA is an industry-first initiative that provides relevant information on electric cars. This innovative platform goes beyond just explaining electric vehicle technology—it offers practical tools like the cost of ownership tools and calculators, a repository of government policies, and a collection of publications and research papers. Through interactive displays, educational videos, and live demonstrations, users can explore the benefits of electric vehicles. Additionally, users can interact with our EV expert ‘eVir,’ an AI-powered chatbot embedded in the site, for quick and easy answers to all their questions, making the EV adoption journey smoother and more accessible.

MG-Jio Innovative Connectivity Platform (MG-Jio ICP)

MG-Jio ICP is a unique collaboration between MG Motor India and Jio that redefines the in-car experience. This platform introduces industry-first features like the MG Store, transforming the vehicle into a hub for gaming, entertainment, and learning, voice commands in six Indian languages, and, for the first time in the automotive landscape, a Home-to-Car functionality. The superior MG-Jio ICP offers unparalleled convenience and accessibility.