India-spec MG ZS EV Unveiled, Launch In January 2020

The ZS EVs batteries can be topped up from 0-80 per cent in under 50 minutes and a full battery will provide a range of approximately 340km

• Slated for launch in January 2020

• Is larger than its immediate rival Hyundai Kona Electric.

• MG has packed in all the big features such as cruise control, connected car tech and in-built PM 2.5 filter.

• Its electric motor makes 143PS of max power and 353Nm of peak torque.

• We expect MG to price the ZS EV under Rs 25 lakh.

• Will be initially be available in Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru.

MG Motor recently set up shop in India and the British carmaker today unveiled its second model for our market, the ZS EV. An all-electric vehicle, it will be launched sometime in January 2020. It will be available in Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru initially. Dealerships in these cities will also have fast charging support.

The electric powertrain of the ZS EV consists of an electric motor that makes 143PS of max power and 353Nm of peak torque. The 44.5kWh battery pack underneath the floorboard can be charged from 0-80 per cent in just 40 minutes using a 50kW fast charger located at select MG dealerships. 

The driving range that can be extracted from this combination is approximately 340km in real-world conditions. MG will also provide a 7.4kWh AC charger with every car that can be installed either in your house or your office. It can charge the ZS EV from 0 to 100 per cent in six to eight hours.

Just like MG’s first car in India, the Hector, the design of the ZS EV is curvy and flows. And just like the Hector, the grille will catch your attention first. It is different than that of the Hector but the big MG logo can is present in the centre. Push it, and the charging socket is revealed.

Talking about size, the ZS EV has the dimensions of a compact SUV. Take a look at the table below and see how it compares to what will be its closest rival, the Hyundai Kona Electric:

So, the ZS EV is bigger than the Kona Electric, but it is the Hyundai that has a slightly longer wheelbase.

Step inside the cabin and you will immediately be greeted by a minimalist vibe. There is an 8-inch touchscreen in the centre and unlike the Hector, the air conditioning controls are physical knobs. The lower half of the centre console has a round gear knob and a drive mode selector. The cabin of the ZS EV is finished in black and piano-black and silver trims further highlight the premium feel of the cabin.

MG has been generous on the features front and like the Hector, you get MG’s latest i-SMART 2.0 connected car technology featuring an eSIM along with built-in WIFI so you can connect to your home network. This helps in remotely controlling some features of the car and even tracking it. 

Then there is a PM2.5 air filter. You will find this necessary if you stay in a city like Delhi, where the air quality is severely bad. Cruise control, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, auto climate control, panoramic sunroof, auto headlamps, auto wipers and keyless entry with push-button start are some of the features you will find in the ZS EV. 

Packing all these novelty features in, MG has not forgotten about safety. There will be 6 airbags, and apart from the mandatory ABS with EBD and rear parking sensors, there is also a rear view camera, electronic stability control and a tyre pressure monitoring system. 

MG is set to launch the ZS EV in January 2020 at an expected price tag of around Rs 25 lakh (ex-showroom India). At this price, the Hyundai Kona Electric will be its only rival in India.