Is This The EV MG Should Have Brought To India Instead Of The Comet EV?

This new miniature EV has all the styling and functionality of a tiny SUV

The MG Comet EV, the smallest four-seater EV here, is the newest entrant to India’s budding entry-level electric mobility space. It is part of the global group of brands that are owned by MG’s parent organisation and first debuted as the Wuling Air EV in Indonesia. Now, another brand under that automotive conglomerate has now introduced this in China - the Baojun Yep EV, from SAIC-GM-Wuling. It’s an ultra-compact EV with Jeep-inspired SUV styling.

What do we know about it?

Based on the information available online, it seems like the Baojun Yep EV is based on the same electric architecture as the Comet EV. It is also a 3-door offering with a tall stance but features rugged off-roader SUV-like styling with plenty of cladding and a higher ground clearance in comparison to the MG offering in India.

In terms of technical specifications, the Yep EV is bigger than the Comet EV by every measure, including the wheelbase. It reportedly has a 28.1kWh battery pack to drive a rear-mounted motor rated at 68PS and 140Nm. The carmaker claims a range of 303km for the Yep EV which sounds sufficient for a city-oriented offering.

What about the styling?

As mentioned earlier, the Baojun Yep EV seems to take some styling cues from other off-roading icons such as the Jimny 3-door. It houses the quad-LED headlamps within the same black element that makes up the closed-off grille. Further down, the wheels are pushed to either ends and it gets chunky cladding as the front bumper with visible underbody protection. The cladding continues all the way along the bottom edge, with the rear end mirroring the design of the front end.

The tiny SUV also has side steps for ease of access and functional roof rails too, both details adding to its rugged characteristics. It also seems to be sitting on proper 15-inch alloy wheels. The Yep EV’s rear-end styling features taillamps shaped like a rectangle with rounded edges. For more SUV credentials, it has a side-hinged tailgate with a large handle; and instead of a spare tyre, it has a display that can show personalised messages and graphics.

A somewhat familiar premium interior

Since MG brought the Comet EV to our shores, we have experienced an ultra-compact EV with tech-laden premium interiors. The cabin of the Baojun Yep EV has a similar ethos with a dual setup of 10.25-inch displays standing atop the minimalistic dashboard. It also has a similar layout for the steering-mounted controls as seen on the Comet EV but with a more rugged styling for the buttons. A tinge of Land Rover Defender influence can be seen here thanks to the accessory mounting slots on the co-driver’s side of the dashboard. 

Below the central AC vents, it features a climate control panel with physical controls and luggage hooks below it. It has two USB ports on the dash, next to the displays. The central console looks almost identical to that of the Comet EV with a white rotary dial for drive select, featuring a tactile finish. The controls for the front power windows are housed in a similar area with the electronic parking brake button behind it.

Also Read: Differences Between MG Comet EV’s Base And Mid-spec Variants In 10 Images

In terms of features, it is better equipped than the Comet EV, like the Wuling Air EV, and offers ADAS as well as a 360-degree camera.

What makes it a better offering for India than the Comet EV?

Almost everything about the Baojun Yep EV is likely to be more appealing to the Indian automotive customer than the MG Comet EV. It has the SUV-like styling that is a lot more popular than the quirky looks of the MG offering, complete with the increased ground clearance as well.

Thanks to its larger proportions, even as an ultra-compact offering measuring less than 3.4 metres in length, it should be roomier and more practical while still being a four seater. It only really has a boot if you fold the rear seats down a la the Comet EV, but it does get some storage space under the hood as well with climate insulation. It even has in-cabin storage with a glovebox on the passenger side but it does not get the massive storage bins in the doors or the cupholders on the dashboard.

Will MG bring the Baojun Yep EV to India?

The long and short of it is that MG is unlikely to bring the Yep EV micro-SUV to India, at least anytime soon. However, it proves that an SUV top-hat is quite feasible on the underpinnings of the Comet EV. We could get a facelifted version of the Baojun Yep EV a couple of years later or something with market-specific looks too. It will likely depend on the commercial success of the Comet if MG decides to pursue this entry-level segment with only three doors as opposed to a conventional 5-door offering.

Also Read: MG Comet EV Review: Committed To A Cause

In China, the Baojun Yep EV is offered in just two variants that are priced roughly between Rs 9.29 lakh and Rs 10.45 lakh, as converted from its native currency. That’s pricier than the Comet EV and closer to the likes of the Tata Tiago EV, and would be more expensive in India without increased localisation.

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