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    MG Cyberster First Drive Review – Gives You Wings!

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    MG Cyberster First Drive ReviewThe second premium offering from MG Select dealerships is Cyberster, which is launched in India for an introductory starting price of Rs 74.99 lakh (Ex-sh). Rs 72.49 (Ex-sh) if you had pre-booked this vehicle. With Cyberster’s pricing, MG seems to have hit a homerun. We say this because there’s not a single 2-Door sportscar in India (or probably even the world) that offers this much performance and this much sauce at this price point.
    MG Cyberster Track Experience At Buddh International Circuit
    The next most affordable vehicle in India with scissor doors costs Rs 6 fricking Crore rupees (Ex-sh). The next most affordable sportscar in India that can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 3.2s costs around Rs 2.8 Cr (Ex-sh). MG Cyberster is basically making supercar performance accessible at luxury car price. So, is the just launched MG Cyberster “Too Good To Be True” or is it “Too Good and True”? We experienced Cyberster at Buddh International Circuit F1 race track in Greater Noida to tell you just that.
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    MG Cyberster First Drive Review – Design
    Starting with the way it looks, MG Cyberster is an achingly pretty car encapsulating the charm of bygone MG B Roadster. It turns heads no matter where you are and has a lot of “take out your smartphone and pap me” appeal. Especially when the electric scissor doors are up, makes it look sensational and an absolute style statement radiating its aura to visible range. The Red soft-top on Andes Grey and Modern Beige colours look particularly lovely. Long story short, it looks enchanting.
    MG Cyberster Design
    Coming to what makes this vehicle enchanting, we have a long sweeping bonnet, a stylish bumper with Active Aero, expressive Storm-eye LED projector headlight setup with integrated LED DRLs, lovely 20-inch alloy wheels that creates an interesting pattern when moving, swooping and curvaceous side body profiling, Kammback tail design, rear bumper with a diffuser and interesting arrow-shaped LED connected tail light signature.
    MG Cyberster Scissor Doors, Convertible Roof
    While the overall aesthetics is head-turning, one might find that the rear tail lights are a tad over-designed, which does not match the rest of Cyberster’s otherwise lovely design. But it may grow on you. The soft-top roof is made of durable fabric which is weather resistant and the mechanism takes just around 10 seconds to go up or down and functions as advertised at speeds up to 50 km/h.
    MG Cyberster Design
    Supercar-like Interiors
    Press the electric Scissor door release button and it opens into a futuristic cabin. Interiors of MG Cyberster take a lot of pages from supercars around the world. It does not look and feel like a Rs 75 lakh (Ex-sh) vehicle at all. It is just as plush and tech-loaded as a multi-crore supercar. We particularly liked the Y-shaped leather seats which had suede-finish inlays. These seats are electrically adjustable with controls on the doors.
    MG Cyberster Interiors
    Once seated, you are greeted by a proper driver-oriented supercar-like cockpit with a triple screen setup that falls in driver’s peripheral vision at all times. Driver and co-passenger areas are separated with a physical barrier which also houses grab handle for passenger to grab during spirited drives. These seats hug you tightly and hold you in place and a centre armrest offers comfort. Centre console has a couple of cupholders if you fancy hot or cold beverages.
    MG Cyberster Interiors
    Centre console also houses a 7-inch portrait-style control screen with finer HVAC controls and there is a row of quick buttons with haptic feedback for HVAC controls as well. Next to this screen, we can see a digital shifter that will take some time getting used to. Below, we can see three intuitively placed physical switches for both the doors and the convertible roof. Almost everything you feel in this cabin is soft-touch and lends a plush feel, complimented by metallic inlays.
    MG Cyberster Interiors
    The flat-bottom steering wheel feels nice to hold and packs controls for infotainment and instrumentation along with a dedicated dial for steering response and a Red button for Super Sport Mode. Left paddle shifter is dedicated for KERS (Regen) and right one to cycle between various modes. We kept the best for last, which is the Sci-fi digital cockpit. Centre screen is 10.25-inch for driver’s instrumentation, navigation, vehicle data, ADAS related info and others.
    MG Cyberster Interiors
    This is flanked by two 7-inch touchscreens where left screen controls multimedia along with smartphone connectivity (Android Auto, Apple CarPlay) and the right screen is for system controls, energy centre, user settings and 360-degree camera feed, among others. Cyberster comes with 8-speaker 320W Bose music system and AudioPilot tech that adjusts volume based on speed and noise. There’s also an artificial snarling V8-like exhaust note, if you’re into it. The only gripe I have with MG Cyberster’s interiors is that the seats are heated and not cooled.
    MG Cyberster Interiors
    Supercar Performance!
    MG Cyberster offers a special 77 kWh battery pack with NMC battery chemistry. It is special because of how short it is at just 110 mm, which is shorter than a can of soda. On a regular EV, it doesn’t matter, but in an electric sportscar, this thin battery pack allows for a lot of room which is certainly appreciable. The company promises an MIDC-certified range of 580 km on a single charge. It supports DC fast charging of up to 144 kW, bringing down the 10-80% SOC time to just 40 minutes.
    MG Cyberster Design
    This battery provides juice to two electric motors rated for a combined 510 PS of peak power and 725 Nm peak torque. This allows for supercar-like performance with a 0-100 km/h sprint in just 3.2 seconds and a top speed capped at 200 km/h. Power split is rear-biased as rear motor contributes for 62% of performance and front motor 38%. There are four Drive Modes – Comfort, Custom, Sport and Super Sport.
    MG Cyberster Front Splitter, Rear Diffuser
    Drive & Safety
    Launch Control on Cyberster is very potent, sending the car into the next dimension every time and so is its electronic differential lock and AWD traction. MG Cyberster boasts of a delicately designed chassis by F1 engineering legend Marco Fainello with a 50:50 weight distribution. Also helping with grip are the sticky Pirelli P Zero tyres and providing stopping power are Brembo callipers.
    MG Cyberster Brembo Brakes, Pirelli P Zero Tyres, Side Skirts
    Handling is sharp because of the 50:50 weight distribution and there is a lot of traction from the sticky Pirellis. Steering response is quite intuitive and direct and is adjustable too with three modes. Ride is pretty planted and does not include any surprising concerns. Braking is one area where we felt that it could have been better, especially with stronger initial bite than what it offers. Other than that, this is a lovely machine to go crazy on a race track.
    MG Cyberster Roll Hoops
    Safety is a concern with convertible cars, but MG is ensuring that there are no stones unturned. For starters, there is significant engineering in Cyberster’s A Pillars and there are sturdy roll hoops behind the seats to prevent roll-over related fatalities. Then we have 4 airbags as standard which covering front and the sides. MG has implemented a driver-monitoring camera on steering wheel and then the safety net of Level-2 ADAS ensures autonomous features like auto emergency braking, lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control.
    MG Cyberster Design
    Conclusion
    Sportscars and Supercars in India are not a practical solution, but a conscious choice to stand out from the mundane. It should look pretty, sprint like a Cheetah, impress your love interest sitting beside you and give you a grand entrance everywhere you go. These are not highway mile munchers in the practical sense, but for quick and glamorous city excursions and paparazzi encounters.
    MG Cyberster Design
    For intended purpose of a sportscar or a supercar in India, MG Cyberster absolutely delivers and is an undisputed champion in pricing. There’s nothing that comes close to Cyberster in terms of appeal, panache and flair, especially at the Rs 75 lakh (Ex-sh) price tag. With some planning, it can double up as your convertible Grand Tourer machine with its promised 580 km range, giving you best of both worlds. MG Cyberster is not “Too Good To Be True”, it is “Too Good and True”.
    MG Cyberster Kammback Rear More

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      Kia Carens Clavis EV First Drive Review – Dawn Of The 7S EVs

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      Kia Carens EV First Drive ReviewKia has been on the verge of captivating more of Indian automotive market. The company is approaching its goals with a multi-pronged strategy. One of the prongs is a mainstream fully electric vehicle to boost its presence in the lucrative electric car space in India. In that regard, Kia India has just launched the Carens Clavis EV, which is not only Kia’s first ever mainstream EV, it is India’s first mainstream 7-seater EV. We drove Kia Carens Clavis EV at the national media drive in Bengaluru and here’s what we think about this vehicle.
      Kia Carens Clavis EV First Drive Review
      With Carens Clavis EV, Kia is offering buyers a unique mobility solution which was unheard of in the country’s mainstream market. Where pricing is concerned, Kia Carens Clavis EV starts from Rs 17.99 lakh (Ex-sh) for the base HTK+ variant. Speaking of, there are three trim levels on offer – HTK+, HTX and HTX+. Bookings will start today, 22nd July 2025 and deliveries will commence soon.
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      Where HTK+ is exclusively offered with a 42 kWh battery pack and HTX+ is exclusively offered with a 51.4 kWh battery pack. The mid-spec HTX trim gets both options. There are as many as six colour options to choose from – Glacier Pearl White, Gravity Gray, Aurora Black Pearl, Pewter Olive, Imperial Blue and Ivory Silver Matte.
      Carens Clavis EV Design
      Design & Appearance
      When compared to Carens Clavis ICE, the ‘Opposites Unites’ design language on Carens Clavis EV looks almost identical. However, there are a few key design highlights that only the EV gets, to establish design distinction. These design elements include connecting LED light bar, new 17-inch alloy wheels with a geometric pattern and the addition of front fog lights.
      Carens Clavis EV Design
      Also exclusive to Carens Clavis EV are the front charging port and an active front flap which opens and closes as needed to optimize aerodynamic performance. Headlights are the same Triple Ice Cube design LED reflector units engulfed by a stylish LED DRL signature that also doubles as the turn indicators. Chrome type applique on lower bumper is present too, lending a sophisticated appearance.
      Carens Clavis EV Design
      Under Kia Carens Clavis EV’s front bonnet, is a frunk, which houses charging cable and CCS2 gun neatly encases in premium cases and the company is ensuring that you have a premium experience while using the frunk with the use of hydraulic struts that requires little to no effort to get this heavy bonnet open. Another addition with Carens Clavis EV is the V2L (inside and outside).
      Carens Clavis EV Boot
      Spacious Interiors
      Boot space, on the other hand, is similar to what we see with Carens Clavis ICE model. Both vehicles share the same dashboard and door trims too, which is not a bad thing. We get the same 2-spoke steering wheel with audio controls on the right and instrumentation controls on the left. This steering wheel is adjustable for height and reach.
      Carens Clavis EV Interiors
      Behind this steering wheel is a 26.62-inch Dual Panoramic display comprising of a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a 12.3-inch instrument cluster. The system supports Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and is connected to a premium Bose audio system. There are USB ports, wireless charging pad, smart infotainment and climate control Swap Screen. Same as Carens Clavis.
      Carens Clavis EV Interiors
      What’s different with Carens Clavis EV is the new centre console which now gets a multi-layered storage system with adjustable cup-holders on top, hidden beneath a sliding door. This is where you can find the ventilated seat controls, 360-degree camera button, parking sensor switch and others.
      Carens Clavis EV Interiors
      Electronic parking brake switch, however, has been shifted near the headlight levelling dial, out of driver’s peripheral view. Also moved away from centre console is the gear selector, which has been shifted to the steering column, similar to Creta Electric. Even the start button is situated on this stalk, inconveniently labelled EV instead of Start. Paddle shifters exist to control regeneration and even engage I-Pedal mode.
      Carens Clavis EV Frunk
      Features & Safety
      Other notable features include electrically adjustable driver’s seat, auto headlight, rain-sensing wipers, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, an air purifier, dedicated blower for rear occupants, roof-mounted AC vents for 2nd and 3rd rows, tray table and manually operated Boss Mode for 2nd row left passenger, front and rear armrest, one-touch tumble feature for 2nd row seats, adjustable headrests and more.
      Carens Clavis EV Features
      The Level-2 ADAS offered by Kia has up to 20 autonomous driving features including the likes of auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and others. All important ADAS features are present. Adding to the safety are 6 airbags as standard, ABS, EBD, ESP, TCS, an intuitive 360-degree camera, blindspot assist on TFT cluster, 3-point seatbelts and seatbelt reminders.
      Carens Clavis EV Features
      Specs & Powertrains
      Kia Carens Clavis EV measures 4,550 mm in length, 1,800 mm in width, 1,730 mm in height and packs a 2,780 mm long wheelbase. Ground clearance on Carens Clavis EV is 200 mm, lending it an SUV stance. Where powertrain is concerned, Kia Carens Clavis EV packs similar battery and motor options as the Hyundai Creta Electric. Lower variants get the smaller 42 kWh battery with 404 km of claimed range and higher variants pack a larger 51.4 kWh battery with 490 km of claimed range.
      Carens Clavis EV
      The smaller 42 kWh battery variants get a 133 bhp and 255 Nm electric motor and larger 51.4 kWh battery variants get a 169 bhp and 255 Nm electric motor. Both powertrain options get FWD layout, driving front wheels. Choosing the latter will give you quicker acceleration too, taking 8.4 seconds to sprint from 0-100 km/h.
      Carens Clavis EV Features
      Similar to Hyundai Creta Electric, Kia Carens Clavis EV offers up to 11 kW AC charging, which some vehicles in this price point lacks. With this 11 kW AC charger, larger 51.4 kWh battery can be charged from 10% to 100% in 4h 45m. With a 100 kW DC charger, 10% to 80% should take just 39 minutes.
      Carens Clavis EV Front Seats
      Ride Quality & Performance
      The suspension setup on Kia Carens Clavis is set up on the softer side and the large 17-inch wheels do a good job of towering over road undulations. Combination of these two also allows for a plush ride quality with great bump absorption characteristics. Because it is setup for comfort, handling takes a back seat as there is a decent amount of body roll and vertical bob.
      Carens Clavis EV Rear Seats
      However, Carens Clavis EV is not advertised as a sporty product and the soft suspension is actually fitting to its target demographic. Braking performance is one area where we would have liked better initial bite. That said, the regen in i-Pedal mode is quite strong and is intuitive once you get the hang of it.
      Carens Clavis EV Steering
      One positive aspect of being an EV is that Carens Clavis EV packs quite a punch where performance is concerned. Acceleration is instantaneous and is quite addictive, encouraging you to go heavy on the throttle. Kia promises 8.6s 0-100 km/h sprint and it is fairly achievable in Sports Mode. Eco Mode is what you need to eke out maximum range.
      Carens Clavis EV Features
      Conclusion
      Wrapping things up, we think concluding the Kia Carens Clavis EV is quite easy. It is the country’s only 7-seater mainstream EV and the company has identified a popular niche. Carens Clavis EV advocates itself, appealing to large families and even a smaller family that needs a larger boot than what a typical 5-seater EV would provide.
      Carens Clavis EV
      In that regard, Carens Clavis EV scores big and it comes with Kia’s assurance of reliability, dependability and consistent electronics. So, if you’re in the market to buy an electric SUV, Kia Carens Clavis EV is an easy recommendation for the masses even if you don’t need a 7-seater. Even in terms of pricing, Kia is matching the 5-seater electric SUVs on sale in India. Versatility is always better than not having the option at all. More

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      MG M9 Electric MPV Rear Seat Experience – The Game Of Thrones!

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      MG M9 Rear Seat ReviewIn India, many OEMs have boarded the luxury MPV train with stark examples being the now discontinued Mercedes-Benz V-Class, Kia Carnival, Toyota Vellfire and Lexus LM. There’s a new challenger in this segment, one that comes with electrifying performance and promises over the top luxury.
      MG M9 Rear Seat Review
      Of course, we’re talking about the new MG M9 electric luxury MPV, which is the maiden vehicle to be offered through MG Select dealerships and experience centres by JSW MG Motor India. We experienced the MG M9 in Goa at the national media drive and in this post, we will only express about the rear seat experience and our opinions as to just how luxurious MG M9’s rear seats are.
      MG M9 Rear Seat Review
      MG M9 Electric MPV Rear Seat Experience
      You must be familiar with a popular show on HBO called Game Of Thrones. While this is a fictional and mythological fantasy TV show, there is a Game Of Thrones happening in the automotive world. One where the elite executives are slowly transgressing from full-size sedans to luxurious MPVs for that ultimate comfort and relaxation.
      MG M9 Rear Seat Review
      MG M9 electric MPV aims to offer the best possible experience to these chauffeur-driven elites, who are already spoiled with a few options. Where rear-seat experience is concerned, we MG M9 offers a nice blend of space and comfort, along with exquisite luxury, over the top technology, equipment, features and creature comforts.
      MG M9 Rear Seat Review
      Rear seat experience of MG M9 starts with the powered sliding rear doors which can be triggered by request sensors on the handle or the key. Helping you to climb inside are a robust built-in step on door sill and a long grab handle. M9 is a tall vehicle and scooting into the seat after hopping in is like a cakewalk.
      MG M9 Rear Seat Review
      Feature Fest
      Once on M9’s rear seat, one can’t help but notice the amount of vehicular controls that can be accessed from here. Some of these include rear auto climate control with dedicated blower, front and rear panoramic sunroof with an electric blind, rear theatre lights, electrically sliding doors, front passenger seat with the help of electric Boss Mode and more.
      MG M9 Rear Seat Review
      These individual rear thrones are stupendously comfortable with all the support and plushness one could ask for. Both rear occupants get dedicated window blinds and these windows can go all the way down as well. Occupants are spoiled with a rear panoramic sunroof, dedicated AC vents and infotainment screens that get smartphone linking, music and AUX in along with a host of Android apps including Google Chrome and Youtube.
      MG M9 Rear Seat Review
      The outer-end armrest gets a sliding function and below it, we have a retractable cupholder that can accommodate multiple bottle diameters. Inner-end armrest can be opened to reveal a tissue paper dispenser and a dedicated stowaway for these tissues along with Type-A and Type-C USB posts. To access 3rd row seats, one can just walk between 2nd row seats and 3rd row occupants get dedicated Type-A ports, AC vents and other amenities.
      MG M9 Rear Seat Review
      A King’s Throne
      2nd row seats are easily the most important ones here and they are electrically operated, heated (3 levels), cooled (3 levels) and even offer 8 massage functions including Pulse, Wave, Walk, Single, Comfort, Butterfly, Waist and Snake. These massaging functions come in handy during the commute back home after a long day of work.
      MG M9 Rear Seat Review – Extend Mode
      All seat settings and most vehicular settings are crammed into a dedicated display present below the sliding armrest of both 2nd row seats. Using this screen, 2nd row captain chairs can be electrically operated to the full extent to move it front, back, sides and recline along with lumbar support, headrest position and the position of powered calf support which can be extended too.
      MG M9 Rear Seat Review – Sleep Mode
      If you don’t want to fiddle with individual seat settings, there is a memory function too, which is just convenient. MG has also crammed in Extend function that automatically brings it to a relaxed position and there is even a Sleep Comfort button that will recline and allow you to sleep as well. The same screen controls front passenger window, both rear windows, front sunroof, rear sunroof, rear auto climate control and a host of other vehicular functions.
      MG M9 Rear Seat Review – 3rd Row
      Then comes the Scenario Centre that bundles seat ventilation, seat position, window and sunroof positions into four scenarios. These are Summer Cool, Winter Warm, Rest Moment and Fresh & Comfort. All these scenarios are completely customisable and with the press of one scenario, it will adjust all set parameters on its own, which is a smart feature.
      MG M9 Rear Seat Review
      Plush Luxury
      2nd row experience on MG M9 electric luxury MPV is not just limited to features, gizmos and comfort factor. MG has taken care of luxury too. The company is using soft leather on the seats and a mix of Alcantara thrown in for good measure. The same treatment extends to rear door pads as well.
      MG M9 Rear Seat Review – Boss Mode
      There’s soft touch plastics almost everywhere, complemented by gloss Black elements and brushed Aluminium elements. MG has worked on sound insulation of M9 from outside elements. When moving, there’s almost nothing that filters through M9’s well insulated cabin. Wind noise, tyre noise and road noise are very well contained.
      MG M9 Rear Seat Review
      All in all, MG M9 offers one of the best rear-seat experiences in the luxury MPV business and it all depends on MG M9’s pricing, which is still under wraps. We will say, MG M9’s Game for the Throne is quite strong. We would encourage prospective buyers to test the MG M9 before considering any imported luxury vehicle in India.
      MG M9 Rear Seat Review More

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      Tata Harrier EV Quad Day Experience : Off Road, Technology Demo, Details

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      Tata Harrier EV Quad Day ExperienceTata Motors has been upping their EV game in Indian market and Harrier EV is the pinnacle of that journey. This is their flagship electric SUV and it packs features and technology that rivals don’t offer. Also, it packs mechanical equipment that frankly can be termed a revolution in the Indian electric car segment.
      The company organised a Quad Day event at Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida for the media to showcase the latest and greatest features, technology and off-road prowess of Harrier EV. The Harrier EV Quad Day event was split between four zones – Precision Zone, Off-road Zone, Performance Zone and Tech Zone. Let’s go through them one by one.
      Harrier EV Coordinated Slaloms
      Precision Zone
      At the precision zone, Tata Motors showed-off a few stunts with Harrier EV including some slaloms, reverse slaloms, J-turns and more. The coordinated slaloms where expert stunt drivers were driving in both forward and reverse while maintaining optimum space was quite notable.
      Harrier EV Pulling WhAP 8X8
      That said, the notable stunt Harrier EV performed was pulling the WhAP 8X8 combat vehicle from Tata Advanced Systems that weighed more than 11 times as that of Harrier EV. Tata Motors demonstrated Harrier EV’s acceleration with table cloth stunt too, on which glasses containing fluids were placed and there were no spills even after Harrier EV pulled the tablecloth away.
      Off-road Zone
      Harrier EV is being advertised as an electric off-roader as it comes with RWD as standard in single-motor variants and QWD (Quad Wheel Drive) with dual motor variants, allowing for four-wheel traction to tackle tricky stuff. With 504 Nm total system torque, Harrier EV has more than enough grunt to handle off-road challenges.
      Because it has QWD (AWD) setup, the company has given it an updated Terrain Response system with more Terrain Modes than what we see in Harrier ICE. This is where the handshake between software and hardware is tested to its full extent. Tata Motors had multiple off-road challenges strategically laid out to test the capabilities of Harrier EV. So, we did just that.
      Harrier EV Rock Bed
      1. Rock Bed
      Tata Motors had organized a rock bed for Harrier EV to cross. The pit was filled with rocks and small boulders on which Harrier EV had to cross. This is where Tata’s new Terrain Response Modes come into action as I chose Rock Crawl Mode. In this mode user does not even have to give throttle inputs and Harrier EV will soldier on at 6 km/h speed with utmost precision making this rather daunting task look like a cake walk.
      Harrier EV Axle Twister
      2. Axle Twister
      In the axle twister challenge, Harrier EV’s Rock Crawl mode was disabled as it needs more throttle inputs from user owing to its tricky nature. This challenge tests the wheel articulation of an off-roader, putting stress on its front and rear independent suspension and chassis, while vehicle’s ability to maintain traction. Even with one wheel in the air, Harrier EV cleverly puts down power and gets moving with relative ease.
      Harrier EV Incline & Decline
      3. Incline & Decline
      What’s an off-road experience if the classic incline & decline is not in it. At the Harrier EV Quad Day event, there was one. A big one at that, with an incline angle of 34° and a decline angle of 35°. We put Harrier EV in Mud & Ruts Mode to tackle this steep incline. Dual motor QWD setup comes into its own here and pulls on with little fuss. All-wheel disc brakes are quite strong, assisting us with the steep decline.
      Harrier EV See-Saw
      Special mention to Harrier EV’s 540° camera that stitches underbody camera feed into the 360° camera feed, offering a Transparent Mode where you can see what’s happening below the vehicle during off-roading. This is great when you’re trying to position Harrier EV’s wheels where you want them to.
      Harrier EV Sand Pit
      4. Sand Pit
      While sand pits could prove a nightmare for 2WD vehicles, it was not at all a problem for Harrier EV and its improved Terrain Response Modes. To tackle this sand pit, we slotted Harrier EV into Sand Mode and it might make light work of this sand pit, clearing it with utmost ease and zero fuss.
      Harrier EV Side Incline
      5. Side Incline
      Going through side incline challenge, we put Harrier EV in Rock Crawl Mode again where you don’t need to give throttle inputs as the SUV maintains 6 km/h speed on its own. This side incline was rather steep too, but did not unphase Harrier EV in any way possible.
      Harrier EV Camel Hump
      6. Camel Hump
      Camel hump is a technical off-road challenge designed to test an off-roader’s approach angle, departure angle and breakover angle. In Harrier EV’s case, it has 25.3° approach angle, 26.4° departure angle and 16.6° breakover angle. Also, camel hump started with a see-saw which was quite challenging to get right the first time. This tests ground clearance of an off-roader too and Harrier EV’s 200mm+ true ground clearance was not an issue here. For an EV with batteries in the floor, that is reassuring.
      Harrier EV Mud & Ruts
      7. Mud & Ruts
      After all these challenges, it was finally time to get Harrier EV dirty in mud and ruts. It was wet, it was slushy and quite tricky, especially with Harrier EV’s H/T tyres. However, Harrier EV didn’t break a sweat here and with steady throttle inputs, it easily cleared this challenging section with composure and negligible wheel spins.
      Harrier EV Stairs Climb
      8. Stairs Climb
      Last challenge at the Off-road Zone was the good ol’ stairs climb, which is no big deal for Harrier EV after experiencing all these obstacles. However, the climb down through a sheet metal ramp was the most challenging bit, especially with H/T tyres that just cleared mud & ruts. With utmost caution, we cleared this section too and were impressed with Harrier EV’s braking and traction.
      Harrier EV Jump & Water wading
      Tata Motors had arranged for a few stunts at the Off-road Zone where Harrier EV made a few jumps while another Harrier EV was water wading. Speaking of water wading, we were not allowed to do it as part of our Off-road experience. Only experts from Tata Motors did it.
      Harrier EV Chassis Strength
      There was a 1.5 tonnes shipping container placed on a Harrier EV BIW (Body in White) to demonstrate chassis integrity and strength of Harrier EV’s pillars as well. Also demonstrating chassis integrity was crane hang which suspended a Harrier EV BIW on a sky hook while an entire Harrier EV (with powertrain and every other component) was strapped to this BIW.
      Performance Zone
      The most extensive part of Harrier EV Quad Day event was Off-road Zone and Tata even allowed media personnel to do these technical off-road challenges. Same can’t be said about Performance Zone and Tech Zone. For starters, we were not allowed to drive Harrier EV during Performance Zone on the race track at Buddh International Circuit.
      Harrier EV Hot Laps
      An expert from Tata Motors drove Harrier EV on the race track and showcased acceleration, performance and handling. At the race track, Tata showcased Harrier EV’s acceleration which is claimed to be around 6.3 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a standstill with Boost Mode. We also saw braking performance of Harrier EV, which was quite impressive considering the 2.3 tonnes+ kerb weight of QWD variants.
      For its size and weight, Harrier EV handles quite well too as the heavy batteries are at the floor, taking the centre of gravity low. We asked whether Tata Motors did a timed lap of Buddh International Circuit with Harrier EV like they did with Altroz Racer at CoASTT High Performance Centre in Coimbatore. And the answer is ‘no’.
      Tech Zone
      Finally, we experienced Tech Zone where Tata Motors had curated an experience to demonstrate Harrier EV’s technological advancements. Again, we were not allowed to drive in this zone and we could only experience while Tata personnel demonstrated these features to us.
      Harrier EV Auto Emergency Braking
      ADAS features
      We started off with ADAS features with Harrier EV’s adaptive cruise control feature where it detects the speed of leading vehicle and maintains a safe distance from it. With a mannequin placed on the road, Tata showcased AEB (Auto Emergency Braking) as well where Harrier EV came to a grinding halt before hitting said mannequin.
      However, Harrier EV applied brakes at the very last moment and the distance between Harrier EV and mannequin was quite short. Tata mentions that it is deliberate as their ADAS systems are trained to adapt to Indian road conditions and will not dominate the driving experience by being intrusive from far away.
      Dead-end Assist
      Another impressive feature Harrier EV has which was demonstrated at the Tech Zone was dead end assist. When you meet a dead end, say in a market, Harrier EV can get out of that dead end as it remembers last 50 m distance traversed and it will crawl out of that 50 m distance on its own without any inputs from driver. We have to try this in the real world to judge it properly.
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      Self Parking
      Party piece of Tata’s Tech Zone was self parking that the company is introducing for the very first time in Harrier EV. It can be activated from the inside when the vehicle detects an empty space and user selects that space from its infotainment screen. It will automatically park itself while doing steering maneuvers and giving throttle and brake inputs on its own. Parking was quite impressive and it was right in the middle of a properly marked parking space.
      Users can just select parking space on the screen and get out and walk away, while Harrier EV will park itself and Tata personnel demonstrated this as well and it worked. There are a few nuances to this as Harrier EV will cut off this self park feature if it detects a person around the vehicle and it happened while we were experiencing it. Also, parking space has to be properly marked for it to work, something we will have to test in real world.
      Summon Mode
      The new circular key allows users to manually summon Harrier EV from its parked space. Cameras and sensors will be working at all times to detect obstacles along with people or animals. It is definitely convenient in parking spaces and it is quite a flex to show off as well.
      There are quite a lot of other features on the new Tata Harrier EV, but these are all the experiences Tata Motors had curated for us at the Harrier EV Quad Day. Tata Motors has launched Harrier EV for a starting price of Rs 21.5 lakh (Ex-sh) and prices of all variants are yet to be revealed. It directly takes on Mahindra’s XEV 9e among others. More

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      MG Windsor Pro First Drive Review – Icing On The Cake

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      MG Windsor Pro First Drive ReviewWithin India’s electric car segment, there are multiple players. Some are former dominators but have lost major market share and some are on their journey to be the country’s best-selling electric car brand. JSW MG Motor India falls in the latter category and has found great success with Windsor EV, which is already India’s best-selling electric car.
      Improving on their offering further, MG has just launched Windsor EV Pro, which is a, well, a Pro version of Windsor EV. We experienced this vehicle as part of the national media drive organised by MG Motor. While it is vastly familiar, Windsor EV Pro addresses some of the shortcomings that media and buyers expressed with Windsor. After driving this vehicle across Assam and Meghalaya, here’s what we think about this new EV.
      MG Windsor Pro
      MG Windsor Pro First Drive Review
      We should start with the pricing, as they have been announced already. MG’s introductory prices have ended as the first 8,000 bookings came well within a day. MG Windsor Pro has been priced at Rs 18.1 lakh (Ex-sh) without BaaS pricing and Rs 13.09 lakh + Rs 4.5 per km with BaaS pricing with battery as a rental service.
      MG Windsor Pro
      There are three new colours with Windsor Pro – Celadon Blue, Glaze Red and Aurora Silver. Of these three, Glaze Red is likely to garner a lot of bookings as it looked quite eye-candy. Windsor Pro gets a new design for the 18-inch alloy wheels that looks like it could be lighter than what is offered with Windsor. Another change with Windsor Pro is an ADAS badge in Red highlights.
      MG Windsor Pro
      Design changes
      Where design is concerned, those are the only changes and Windsor Pro continues to smite buyers with its premium flair and roomy silhouette. It is still the same size too. The only other exterior change is that it now gets an electrically operated tailgate which ups the premium quotient providing access to its massive boot. Other than this, it is virtually identical to Windsor, which you might already be familiar with.
      MG Windsor Pro
      Even on the inside, there are no real changes other than the fact that it now gets Black and Ivory dual-tone upholstery. Even though Ivory upholstery is hard to keep clean, it is a welcome change as it makes the cabin look and feel roomier and adds a flair of sophistication too. The new Ivory shade and Windsor’s Infinity View glass roof transforms lend an airy feel.
      MG Windsor Pro
      Other features continue to be the same on the inside, which is not a bad thing. The 2,700 mm long wheelbase carves out a lot of room for all occupants and rear seats still recline up to 135 degrees for a lounge-like experience. This cabin is ergonomic and it is well thought out. It gets soft-touch plastics, a floating centre console with storage and premium touches for AC vent knobs, power window switches and many more.
      MG Windsor Pro
      The 15.6-inch free-standing infotainment screen is still slick to use and controls almost all the vehicular functions including headlights, ventilated seat controls and a lot more. Once you get used to it, the circular pod controls on steering wheel, infotainment screen and instrument cluster all feel like second nature and the learning curve is not that steep.
      MG Windsor Pro
      Added Pro Features
      Main addition in terms of technology is not V2L (Vehicle to Load) or V2V (Vehicle to Vehicle), but it is the Level-2 ADAS suite. This was one of the main feedbacks with the Windsor EV, which MG has worked on rather quickly. MG, as a brand, is known for its advances in ADAS suite in Indian car market and democratising it for the masses.
      MG Windsor Pro
      Now, Windsor Pro has autonomous features like auto emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, auto high beam assist and many others. We tried them out during our time with this vehicle on the highways and city roads and they work as advertised. Lane keep assist is not for twisty hill station roads as we had in Assam and Meghalaya, but should work very reliably on regular roads with an added safety net.
      MG Windsor Pro
      A larger 52.9 kWh battery pack powers Windsor Pro, which is 39.2% larger than Windsor’s 38 kWh battery pack. With the larger battery pack, MG is claiming a 449 km range on a single charge, which is 35.64% more range than Windsor’s 331 km promised range. Higher range should act as a deterrent for range anxiety and eHUB by MG app has emerged as a key aspect in EV transitions.
      MG Windsor Pro
      Performance & Dynamics
      When we started the journey in the morning, our Windsor Pro review unit had 99% charge and it was indicating 400+ km of range on a single charge. At the end of our journey, Windsor Pro’s battery SOC was at 44% and it was still showing a 187 km range left. In our experience, we found it quite close to reality and one could expect around 400 km of real-world range with MG Windsor Pro if driven sanely.
      MG Windsor Pro
      Speaking of driving, there haven’t been any changes in the performance department. It continues to be powered by a sole 134 bhp and 200 Nm electric motor, driving front wheels only. There are multiple drive modes and Sport unlocks all the performance. 0-100 km/h spring can be done in around 10 seconds and instant acceleration is quite addictive. Regen braking is very effective as well and one can adjust regen level as per their liking.
      MG Windsor Pro
      Dynamically, Windsor Pro remains more or less the same as Windsor EV. The hilly roads we took in Assam and Meghalaya tempted us to push this vehicle harder around corners. But we realised that corner carving is not Windsor Pro’s forte and it is not designed for spirited driving either. For intended use, Windsor Pro rides and handles quite well. We just wished bump absorption was a little better as it can get slightly unsettling once the speeds go up.
      MG Windsor Pro
      Conclusion
      We just wished there were more features added with Windsor Pro, which was not the case. Primary of these is a rear washer and wiper, which continues to be a baffling omission. We didn’t feel the need for it when we drove Windsor in Gurgaon last year. We missed rear wiper a lot in Assam and Meghalaya where it rains cats and dogs. The other feature we expected was rear ventilated seats, which definitely sounds like a Pro feature to have in a market like India.
      MG Windsor Pro
      Other than these, Windsor Pro is a significant step up from Windsor and can easily emerge as a phenomenon and probably even make JSW MG Motor India, the country’s best-selling electric car manufacturer. It has a lot of things going for it and a larger battery promising higher range along with an added safety net from Level-2 ADAS suite is the icing on the cake. More

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      Mahindra XEV 9e First Drive Review – Mid-Size SUV With Bonkers Performance!

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      Mahindra XEV 9e First Drive ReviewWith 286 PS of peak power and 380 Nm of peak torque and RWD architecture, Mahindra XEV 9e offers unmatched performance among mid-size SUVs
      At their Unlimit India event held in Chennai, Mahindra launched two new Electric Origin SUVs. Called BE 6e and XEV 9e, these electric SUVs are poised to revolutionise the Indian automotive market and make a much bigger splash in many global markets than Mahindra did before. Being the bigger of the two, XEV 9e holds more potential to appeal to more premium buyers who need a style statement and performance to match.
      The proposition of an XEV 9e is very straightforward. Currently, it is a one-of-a-kind offering with no real competition until Tata Harrier EV and Safari EV arrive. XEV 9e doesn’t follow the generic FWD monocoque high-riding SUV formula but offers RWD excitement. Mahindra provided Rushlane with an XEV 9e at the ‘Unlimit India’ event for a first-drive review. After driving it in the city, on the highway and on Mahindra’s curated tracks at MSPT (Mahindra SUV Proving Tracks), here’s what we think about this SUV.
      Mahindra XEV 9e First Drive Review
      Starting with the price, Mahindra XEV 9e base Pack 1 costs Rs 21.9 lakh (Ex-sh) and it is a mid-size electric SUV. Mahindra provided us with top-spec trim in Desert Myst and Tango Red shades. Of all the colours, I think Stealth Black looks the best on XEV 9e, highlighting its sporty credentials and sophisticated personality. If the smaller BE 6e is inspired by a fighter jet, XEV 9e is inspired by a private jet with more sophistication.
      We can see that in its exterior design. XEV 9e doesn’t look wild like BE 6e does. There’s grace in its design, that establishes a commanding road presence. We get a closed-off grill at the front, flanked by vertically arranged LED projector headlights accompanied by and commanding connected LED DRLs. There’s no aerodynamic front spoiler on XEV 9e like there was on BE 6e. Muscular creases on bonnet define car’s personality further.
      Mahindra XEV 9e
      At the sides, we can see the lovely coupe profile with sloping roofline merging in a flat end. Mahindra has given XEV 9e the same ORVMs as XUV700. Front door handle is flush and pop-out type, while rear door handle is nothing fancy, but positioned at the pillar. Chunky body claddings painted in gloss black along with chrome window belt line highlight the sporty character. Wheels are massive and could go up to 20-inches in size.
      Mahindra XEV 9e
      At the rear, we can see the illuminated Electric Origin SUV logo, a conventional (relatively) roof spoiler, a shark fin antenna, connected LED tail lights and a sporty bumper painted in gloss black with a chrome strip. Rear tailgate is electrically operated and front bonnet is hydraulically assisted to reveal a sizeable frunk (front trunk). Putting numbers on XEV 9e’s size, it measures 4,790 mm in length, 1,905 mm in width, 1,690 mm in width and has a 2,775 mm long wheelbase. Trunk space is 663L and frunk space is 150L.
      Mahindra XEV 9e Frunk
      Business-Class Interiors
      While BE 6e’s interiors looked like a fighter jet, XEV 9e’s interiors were less sporty and more sophisticated looking. Like that of a business-class jet. If you look closely, you will realise that XEV 9e’s interiors are very closely related to the interiors of an XUV700 under the skin, which is not a bad thing. Here, Mahindra has given new soft-touch finishes and touches to make it appear more premium and sophisticated, which it does.
      Steering wheel is unique to XEV 9e and is not the same unit as seen in BE 6e. While the shape is unique, its functionalities match that of BE 6e. There are tactile buttons and toggles along with dedicated + and – toggles for regen control. Centre console on XEV 9e is reminiscent of XUV700, except for the new and fancier gear selector. The main difference is the unmistakable and attention-grabbing triple 10.2-inch screen layout.
      Mahindra XEV 9e Dashboard
      Mahindra calls it 110 cm wide Cinemascope setup. These displays are crisp in resolution and are run by 6th Gen Adrenox UI and MAIA (Mahindra Artificial Intelligence Architecture) powered by Qualcomm SnapDragon chipset. Centre infotainment screen supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay while instrument screen for driver shows a host of information including a large-format navigation module and blind-spot assistance module when turn indicators are activated.
      Mahindra XEV 9e Interior Camera
      Presence of a third screen is the most interesting aspect in this entire setup and it aims to offer a dedicated display for front passengers. This screen is capable of streaming videos and even video calls with the built-in camera inside XEV 9e. Mahindra calls this camera EyeDentity and it is primarily used to monitor driver fatigue and send alerts. For rear passengers, there is no dedicated entertainment package.
      Mahindra XEV 9e Interiors
      However, Mahindra does offer a docking facility for tablets behind the front seats as a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) approach. When docked, the rear devices can be synced to car’s UI and get a unified experience. Dedicated entertainment package would have been nice, but we can appreciate Mahindra’s efforts to achieve price-wise competitiveness. Driver seat is powered and has a memory function with buttons elegantly placed on door. Seats are large and accommodating, but they’re sporty and bolster your body in place like BE 6e’s seats do.
      Mahindra XEV 9e Interiors
      Rear seat occupants get a lot of space as the wheelbase is 2,770 mm long. Seats here recline for added comfort and there is genuine support for optimum comfort. Floor is flat and we even have Boss Mode for the rear master seat. Boss Mode adjustments are manual, though, and not electric. We felt like the headroom was sufficient too, for a car with a sloping Coupe roofline. There are three individual headrests and a centre armrest along with fast-charging capable Type-C ports, a manual sun shade and a wireless charging pad.
      Mahindra XEV 9e Interiors
      When we’re talking about a Mahindra, there won’t be a deficit of features. XEV 9e is Mahindra’s flagship Electric Origin SUV and the features list goes on and on. Notable features are 360-degree camera, NFC key card, driverless self-parking feature, remote parking, ventilated front seats, cooled glovebox, LED interior lighting, multi-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming IRVM, air purifier with PM 2.5 air filter, 1400W 16-speaker Harman Kardon setup with Dolby Atmos, tuned by music industry stalwarts like A R Rehman, slidable sun blinds with vanity mirrors and lights, among others.
      Mahindra XEV 9e Interiors
      The Harman Kardon system had excellent sound output, but very heavy on base, overpowering the mids. Nothing you can’t fix in equalizer. XEV 9e also features an Infinity Roof (a fixed glass roof) with a powered sunblind which is synced with the car’s 16 million colour ambient lighting. Mahindra’s new VisionX HUD system shows vital information like navigation, ADAS-related infographics, vehicle speed, traffic sign recognition data, cruise control data and music.
      Mahindra XEV 9e Interiors
      Exhilarating Performance & Plush Ride
      Mahindra XEV 9e is now a benchmark in performance within the mid-size SUV segment. There is nothing out there to match XEV 9e in outright performance in any sense of the imagination. That is courtesy of a large battery pack that goes up till 79 kWh in capacity. This large battery powers an electric motor with 285 PS of peak power and 380 Nm of peak torque ensures instantaneous acceleration sprinting to 100 km/h from standstill in just 6.8 seconds and has a top speed of 202 km/h.
      Mahindra XEV 9e Boot
      This electric motor is positioned at the rear for best driving feel. No generic FWD nonsense here, thanks to the born electric INGLO platform where Mahindra engineers seem to have had complete freedom. Because of the motor at the rear, there’s no torque steering and it feels like a proper SUV. The heavy batteries ensure a low centre of gravity and a supple ride. As demonstrated by the ‘Great Indian Wine Glass Challenge’ by Mahindra, XEV 9e has an incredibly cushy ride that almost feels like you’re driving on a magic carpet.
      Mahindra XEV 9e
      That’s thanks to rear independent suspension along with semi-active dampers, first-in-segment. XEV 9e has a noticeably more comfortable ride quality than BE 6e, which is set up at a sportier setting. This means body roll is very evident on XEV 9e, something which is not in BE 6e’s equation. XEV 9e handles Indian roads like a champ. It absorbs bumps, potholes and bad patches very effortlessly. It is an incredible feat considering XEV 9e can be specced up with up to 20-inch alloy wheels.
      Mahindra XEV 9e
      Braking setup consists of all-wheel disc brakes along with Mahindra’s new Brake-by-Wire technology for lowest reaction time. Result of all this is excellent stopping power from XEV 9e with good initial bite and progression. Mahindra quotes a range of up to 656 km on a single charge (ARAI Certified) and even quotes a 780 km figure from an in-house test. In real life, Mahindra promises the XEV 9e will do 500+ km on a single charge with AC on.
      Mahindra XEV 9e
      XEV 9e has three driving modes – Range, Everyday and Race, altering performance, feedback and even top speed. For example, top speed maxes out at 162 km/h in Everyday Mode and can reach 202 km/h in Race Mode. There’s adjustable regen modes that even allow for one pedal driving, which rival brands are yet to implement. Because of the variable gear ratios in steering, turning radius of XEV 9e was impressive as well, considering its size. DC fast charging is supported and can go up to 175kW quoting 20% to 80% in 20 minutes, if you can find a 175 kW charger in India. There’s unlimited battery warranty too, but only for the first owner.
      Safety-wise, there is no reason for concerns as the badge on this vehicle says Mahindra. XEV 9e comes equipped with up to 7 airbags and is highly likely to score a stellar 5 star crash safety rating at any of the NCAP agencies across the world. There’s a Level 2+ ADAS suite with 5 radars and 1 camera, acting as a guardian angel, protecting the occupants. Mahindra also demonstrated the structural integrity of INGLO platform batteries by performing crush test, immersion test, fire test and even a drop test.
      Mahindra XEV 9e
      Some Reservations and Conclusion
      1. Just like on BE 6e, XEV 9e’s HUD goes out of sight when you take the seat height all the way down to a sporty feel.2. The tiny rear windscreen situation in XEV 9e is even worse than BE 6e as this vehicle has a centre headrest for 2nd row bench.3. We wished the doors went over the running boards to prevent soiling of the occupant’s clothes during ingress and egress.4. There’s a missed opportunity here as Mahindra could have made it a compelling 2nd-row vehicle by offering features like electrically operated Boss Mode, rear seat ventilation among others.5. The third display on the dashboard can stream videos which could prove a distraction for driver. Mahindra could have implemented a dimming function when viewing from a certain angle to prevent driver distractions. This tech is more than a decade old already.
      Mahindra XEV 9e
      Concluding Mahindra XEV 9e review is slightly trickier, only because the BE 6e exists. XEV 9e aims to be a more sophisticated and larger offering than BE 6e with a much larger boot and frunk. The premium quotient is higher on XEV 9e, no doubt. But for owner/drivers, BE 6e appears as a far more exciting alternative as it packs a sporty edge. We say this because Mahindra could have worked more on curating rear-seat experience for it to be a chauffeur-driven vehicle.
      XEV 9e emerges as a status symbol that sets it apart from other mid-size SUVs out there, while costing more or less the same OTR. At the same time, it offers unmatched performance and an exciting package. If you’re not smitten by BE 6e or find BE 6e’s design polarising, you should go right ahead and buy the XEV 9e. Because there’s nothing like it in the mid-size SUV segment with similar overall packaging. More

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      Mahindra BE 6e First Drive Review – Putting ‘Sports’ Back In SUV

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      Mahindra BE 6e First Drive ReviewWith BE 6e, Mahindra is offering a RWD high-performance electric SUV that looks like it was spawned out of a cyberpunk world
      Indian automotive market has always favoured budget mass-market offerings. With changing times, there is a shift in buying trends. Mahindra has sensed this perfectly and has formulated BE 6e with everything they have. 95% of vehicles launched in the mainstream market with an SUV tag follow a generic formula of being high-riding monocoque FWD offerings with little to no feeling of being sporty or an SUV.
      That’s changed with the launch of BE 6e as Mahindra is putting ‘Sports’ back in SUV. The company launched it at their Unlimit India event held in Chennai on 26th November 2024. Mahindra provided Rushlane with a BE 6e at Unlimit India event in Chennai for a first-drive review. After driving it in the city, highway and curated tracks at MSPT (Mahindra SUV Proving Track), here’s what we think about BE 6e.
      Mahindra BE 6e First Drive Review
      What is an SUV? Definition stands for Sports Utility Vehicle. If a vehicle is sporty to drive with large engines and good performance and provides utility with space and all-terrain capabilities, it is termed an SUV. In recent times, any vehicle with high ground clearance and body cladding has been slapped with an SUV tag even though they’re just jacked-up FWD normal vehicles.
      Mahindra is taking a great initiative for buyers who crave a proper SUV in traditional terms. Starting at Rs 18.9 lakh (Ex-sh), Mahindra is offering quite a lot with BE 6e. For enthusiasts, this is now the most affordable vehicle that is high on performance and is not just a jacked-up FWD hatchback. For that reason alone, Mahindra BE 6e is now my default recommendation. I hope more OEMs also ditch the generic FWD high-riding hatchback formula. It is high time.
      Mahindra BE 6e Exteriors
      At the launch, I gravitated more towards XEV 9e than BE 6e as I thought it was a more rounded and mature product. The more time I spent with BE 6e, the more it grew on me and I started to appreciate just how much thought and excitement Mahindra has put into this vehicle. Overall looks are slightly polarizing, but I loved it more than I thought I would. If Mahindra offered frameless doors with BE 6e, it would have sealed the deal for me.
      On the outside, it looks like a certain high-end cutting-edge Italian sports SUV. Especially in the Firestorm Orange shade, Mahindra provided Rushlane. It looks like nothing else on sale in India, which is a good thing to establish a unique and lasting identity. BE 6e is a wordplay for ‘Be Sexy’, denoting that this vehicle might be a means for individuals to flaunt their style and taste to the world and BE 6e delivers in that regard.
      Mahindra BE 6e Exteriors
      BE 6e is defined by a strong silhouette with a sloping roofline. It looks like it is the definition of ‘Wild’ in automotive sense. Massive C-shaped LED DRLs and matching LED tail light signature, LED headlights, LED fog lights, painted chunky body claddings and split roof spoiler are notable elements. Massive 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped with 245-section rubber were another delight that we never saw in the mainstream SUVs around 4.3m in length. Front doors get flush handles that also pop out, while rear gets door handles on pillars. The aerodynamic spoiler on the bonnet is a very cool feature too.
      Mahindra BE 6e Exteriors
      Pictures don’t justify just how wide BE 6e is in real life as it is wider than 1900 mm and has a 207 mm ground clearance. Mahindra’s exterior lighting elements can also sync in tune with music like Tesla’s Celebration Mode. Charging port is on the left rear quarter panel, which should have been at the front centre or rear centre, in my opinion. BE 6e comes with a new key fob that we have never seen with any other Mahindra vehicle before and it comes with a remote parking feature too.
      Mahindra BE 6e Dashboard
      Just like the outsides, BE 6e’s interiors look like it is out of this world. Mahindra calls it Race-Ready Cockpit and it has a pronounced split, lending a cockpit-like feel. Initially, we thought this split could cause some hampers in the in-cabin experience to what we are used to. But it doesn’t. BE 6e doesn’t have a transmission tunnel, liberating space for storage below the floating centre console. This centre console is special as it has a new touch-based start-stop button, a thruster-like gear selector and a dedicated magnetic slot for key fob.
      There’s also an i-Drive-like dial to control infotainment screen along with a centre armrest with a storage box beneath. Driver’s seat is powered and it gets memory function along with adjustable lumbar support. The main highlight of BE 6e’s seats is that they are sportscar-like and hug the occupant tightly while looking futuristic and offering excellent cushioning and support. The panel containing switches on the roof are of toggle type too, contributing to aircraft theme that Mahindra is going for in BE 6e.
      Mahindra BE 6e Interiors
      Steering wheel on BE 6e is an all-new quadrilateral one wrapped with leather and padded to perfection. It has tactile buttons and even toggles for regen control. Horn pads are easily accessible with either palm, which is how it should be in all cars. Driver’s seat can go very low and the dashboard is long, lending a sportscar vibe. Also sportscar-like are straps replacing interior door handles. Mahindra has given generous soft-touch materials on the dashboard and door pads for a plush feeling.
      Features include NFC key card, 360-degree camera, twin wireless charging pads, ventilated front seats, cooled glovebox, LED interior lighting, automatic climate control, auto-dimming IRVMs, PM 2.5 air filter, slidable sun blinds with vanity mirrors and lights, among others. Dashboard has twin free-standing 10.25-inch screens that are crisp in resolution and bright enough in all lighting conditions. There’s wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay too. The infotainment system is coupled with a banging 1400W 16-speaker Harman Kardon setup with Dolby Atmos, tuned by music industry stalwarts like A R Rehman and others.
      Mahindra BE 6e Interiors
      First for any Mahindra car on sale ever, BE 6e features an Infinity Roof, a fixed glass roof, with a powered sunblind. This glass roof is also synced with car’s 16 million colour ambient lighting. Another first for any Mahindra PV is a built-in camera on the inside called EyeDentity. It tracks driver fatigue, but Mahindra lets you use it to take selfies and do video calls too. Behind instrument cluster, there is Mahindra’s new VisionX HUD system that shows vital information like navigation, ADAS-related infographics, vehicle speed, traffic sign recognition data, cruise control data and music. MAIA (Mahindra Artificial Intelligence Architecture) acts as the brain for 6th Gen Adrenox software powered by Qualcomm’s SnapDragon chipset for a plethora of features.
      Mahindra BE 6e Interiors
      Even though BE 6e is all about the driver’s seat, rear seats and luggage carrying capacity have not been compromised. There’s more than enough space for rear seat occupants owing to the long 2,775 mm wheelbase and they get amenities like a centre armrest, rear AC vents, Type-C charging ports and others. Luggage carrying capacity is 455L on BE 6e and it is very accommodating with thoughtful touches like 12V socket multiple lights and there’s even a space-saver spare wheel underneath.
      Mahindra BE 6e Interiors
      Performance and Dynamics
      While Mahindra BE 6e is loaded to the brim with features, performance and dynamics are by far the juiciest attributes of BE 6e. At least for me. That’s because BE 6e drives like a big cat. Precise, nimble and agile while carrying a lot of speed with excellent response. All this is thanks to BE 6e’s new underpinnings. Debuting Mahindra’s new INGLO platform, BE 6e comes with either a 59 kWh or 79 kWh battery pack option.
      79 kWh battery, coupled with the higher-spec 286 bhp electric motor with 380 Nm of instantaneous torque is what we drove. Also, this is the combination you need to feel like you own a sportscar. Yeah. We are concluding BE 6e is a sportscar for the masses and there’s a good reason for that. For starters, BE 6e sprints from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 6.7s and hits an electronically limited top speed of 202 km/h.
      Mahindra BE 6e Boot
      Because it is RWD with a motor at the back, there is no torque steering and the weight distribution while accelerating provides a lot of traction for rear wheels. Hence the performance of BE 6e doesn’t feel scary, which is a weird statement to make for a vehicle that goes from 0-100 km/h in 6.7s. The second part of sportscar relevance comes from BE 6e’s drive and dynamics. Because of the heavy batteries, centre of gravity is low and it lends incredible dynamics. It darts around corners like nobody’s business, yet stays compliant around bumps and potholes and even pull off what Mahindra called ‘Great Indian Wine Glass Challenge’.
      That’s because Mahindra has given Be 6e independent front and rear suspension with semi-active dampers that optimise the suspension setup to be sporty and plush whenever needed. The ride quality is beyond impressive, especially considering that the unit we had was riding on 20-inch wheels wrapped with low-profile tyres. Braking was sure-footed too, with all four disc brakes lending great bite and progression. Mahindra’s new Brake-By-Wire technology does its thing.
      Mahindra BE 6e Exteriors
      There are three driving modes – Range, Everyday and Race. Performance and top speed vary with selected drive mode. Good thing is that there is ample oomph even in Range Mode and the adjustable regen further allows driver to fine-tune their vehicle according to their preferences. Mahindra has implemented variable gear ratios in steering geometry that allow BE 6e to have a turning radius of under 10m, which translates to real world, allowing for tight U-turns and other manoeuvres. The 79 kWh battery pack our unit had, is rated to cover up to 682 km on a single charge, as certified by ARAI. Mahindra’s in-house testing quotes higher figures of 828 km on a single charge in favourable conditions. Mahindra promises a minimum of 500+ km on a single charge with AC on in metro cities, allowing users to charge their car once a week.
      Speaking of charging, Mahindra BE 6e is capable of DC fast charging up to 175 kW. If you can find a charging station of that calibre in India, that is. If you do, Mahindra is promising 20% to 80% SOC in just 20 minutes and the AC charging is either through a 7.2 kW or 11.2 kW charger. Both of which have to be bought separately. Mahindra is also offering a lifetime warranty for battery pack for initial buyers and it is not transferable to a second owner.
      Mahindra BE 6e Dynamic
      Where safety is concerned, Mahindra has had an excellent track record for offering safe and crashworthy vehicles. The company even demonstrated a live crash test at MSPT, Chennai. There are up to 7 airbags along with all the expected active and passive safety features. There’s Level-2+ ADAS suite with BE 6e with 5 radars and 1 camera system. Mahindra also demonstrated the structural strength and integrity of battery with a crush test, immersion test, vibration test and fire test.
      Some Reservations and Conclusion
      Even though there were no deal breakers or real issues to address, Mahindra BE 6e gave us a few opportunities to nitpick.
      1. Because it is a sporty vehicle, one would be tempted to get the seat height to lowest position. Rightfully so. But doing that will result in HUD feed going out of sight, even for a 182 cm tall individual like myself.2. For a vehicle that has replaced interior door handles with straps to save on weight and lend sportscar vibes, it has a glass roof, which is significantly heavier than spot-welding a sheet of metal.3. The IRVM is frameless and is auto-dimming. But the only thing it will show you, is rear occupant’s faces. That’s because of how small the rear windshield is. ORVMs are your only option to see what’s behind.4. There were a few rough edges inside the vehicle along with many uneven panel gaps, which we hope are not carried over to production-spec units sold to the public.5. I wished the doors went on top of car’s running boards to prevent soiling of occupant’s clothes during ingress and egress.6. We also encountered a few rattles on the inside, which we hope is not the case with production units sold to public.
      Mahindra BE 6e Dynamic
      Concluding the Mahindra BE 6e is one of the easiest things to do. In BE 6e, we finally get a RWD fun vehicle that looks unique and drives exceptionally well, appealing to enthusiasts. For conventional buyers, it offers an exceptional range and a lot of tech and features to keep occupants entertained across the journey. If you are looking to buy an electric SUV and don’t mind the radical design, we would recommend you to just go ahead and buy it. If you are looking to buy a luxury car with similar performance metrics, shortlisting and considering a BE 6e is highly recommended too. BE 6e could easily be one of India’s landmark vehicles that redefined country’s automotive landscape. More

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      BYD eMAX7 First Drive Review – Only MPV With Electrifying Performance!

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      New BYD eMAX7 First Drive ReviewPowering a 201 bhp and 310 Nm electric motor, we have a 71.8 kWh battery on BYD eMAX7 and is capable of sprinting from 0-100 km/h in 8.6s
      There is something about people movers that has captivated many of the Asian markets, making them a popular car genre. India is no different. We have a love affair with MPVs as they appeal to large families. However, there has been just one electric MPV in India which has undergone a massive overhaul recently.
      We’re talking about BYD eMAX7, the spiritual successor of e6 electric MPV. BYD has significantly increased the appeal of this electric MPV by a massive design overhaul and updated interiors to modernize it. We drove the eMAX7 in Chennai as part of national media drive arranged by BYD India and here is what we think about the latest iteration of this electric MPV.
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      BYD eMAX7 First Drive Review
      As part of the national media drive hosted by BYD India, the company provided Rushlane with a top-spec eMAX7 Superior trim with 7-seater configuration finished in a subtle Harbour Grey shade. There are two trim levels offered with two seating configurations yielding a total of 4 variants. Pricing for eMAX7 starts from Rs 26.9 lakh (Ex-sh).
      At this price, the main MPV rivals for BYD eMAX7 are Toyota Innova Crysta, Innova Hycross and its Maruti counterpart, Invicto. Innova Hycross and Invicto are more fitting rivals than Crysta, considering the monocoque chassis and electrification in their powertrains. There is a strong case for BYD eMAX7 with fleet operators in commercial sector as well, just like Innova Hycross.
      New BYD eMAX7 First Drive
      Understated Design
      Where design is concerned, BYD eMAX7 looks a lot better than its predecessor e6. BYD calls it a dragon face design owing to their Chinese origin, but it looks more like shark face to me. Regardless, we liked the way it looks and is not flashy or in-your-face like a few rivals. eMAX7 doesn’t try to look like an SUV, lending it sophisticated appeal and understated elegance.
      Front has a sloping bonnet with a few creases for character. The bonnet is hydraulically assisted. Headlights look classy with 5 projector elements with LEDs illuminating them. LED DRLs are integrated into these headlights. A satin silver element connects these headlights and gets a BYD logo sitting proudly. There are no fog lights here, but eMAX7 gets active air curtains in the front bumper to smoothen the airflow and improve aerodynamic efficiency.
      New BYD eMAX7 First Drive
      Side profile has a strong belt line that directs one’s vision towards eMAX7’s 4,710 mm length and 2,800 mm long wheelbase. The ORVMs are aerodynamic in shape and BYD is quite proud of this design. Car’s window line is accentuated with chrome, lending a premium appeal. There is a chrome strip on the running board as well. Only fly in the ointment here are the 17-inch alloy wheels that look rather small on this vehicle. 18-inchers would have looked swanky.
      At the rear, we get a shark fin antenna, connected LED tail lights, a roof spoiler, a body-coloured bumper and chrome strips across tail light and bumper. The paint quality is commendable too. BYD opted to offer a fixed glass roof with eMAX7, which is the more logical choice amidst OEMs offering panoramic sunroofs where kids and adults end up sticking their heads and torsos out.
      New BYD eMAX7 First Drive
      Well-designed Interiors
      Being a Rs 30 lakh vehicle, one would expect a premium experience on the inside and BYD eMAX7 does not disappoint in this regard. For starters, there is a well-designed and laid-out dashboard. There are impressive soft-touch materials on all four door pads and on the centre console where driver’s and front passenger’s knees would graze. These elements are properly soft to the touch, which is not often the case with vehicles in this price range.
      New BYD eMAX7 Dashboard
      Dashboard only gets hard plastics and an interesting open-pore wood-like effect. The glovebox is damped and so are the interior grab rails. Materials used for seat upholstery are of good quality and so is the leather wrapped on steering wheel. The rockers, dials and buttons on centre console and steering wheel are of good quality too. There is a single wireless charger in eMAX7’s centre console.
      New BYD eMAX7 Rotatable Infotainment
      Seats are reasonably sized and offer good support for a full-grown adult like myself. But the seat base lacks under-thigh support in all three rows. Front seats are electrically adjustable, while rear seats are manually adjustable for sliding, reclining and folding. Steering wheel is adjustable for tilt and reach, allowing for driver to get a comfortable driving position. 2nd row seats could have offered more space, especially where width is concerned.
      When two adults sat in 2nd-row seats, our elbows grazed, which is not a good sign. I think the 7-seater variant makes very little sense as there is no shoulder room to even put a baby in the middle. Even knee room for 2nd-row occupants is nothing to write home about. Accessing third-row seats is fairly easy, but the space here is only acceptable for kids. AC vents are roof-mounted for 2nd-row and 3rd-row occupants.
      New BYD eMAX7
      Features & Creature Comforts
      Interior lighting is all LED, including the vanity lights with auto function for driver and front passenger. Glass roof is fixed and is treated to cut down on a few spectra of harmful sunlight. Sunshade is electrically operated. There are many USB ports for occupants to charge up their devices. With all the seats up, BYD eMAX7 does not have a lot of luggage space. With 3rd-row folded, there is around 580L of boot space, which can be further expanded by folding the 2nd-row seats. A missed opportunity for BYD is an absence of front storage as it looked like they could have extracted 100L of volumetric luggage space here.
      New BYD eMAX7 Semi-Storage
      The main highlight of BYD eAMX7’s interiors is that it offers a 12.8-inch rectangular display that can rotate to portrait or landscape orientations. However, many functions like Android Auto don’t work in portrait orientation. Speaking of, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are wireless on this vehicle. The screen also controls the dual-zone Auto AC and front ventilated seat function.
      New BYD eMAX7 Steering Controls
      This screen acts as a monitor for 360-degree camera feature too and works very well on this vehicle. However, we would have liked it if BYD had a dedicated software for infotainment screen. The overall UI looked like it is from an aftermarket Android system and there even is an SD card reader under front center armrest to stream media. Steering has controls to operate an MID in the semi-digital instrument cluster.
      New BYD eMAX7 Semi-Digital Instrument Cluster
      There is an NFC key card that communicates through right ORVM. BYD eMAX7 also has ADAS suite, which does a decent job. Lane Keeping Assist was not functioning at times. Thus Auto Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control and other features needed more polish. There are six airbags on offer and disc brakes are offered on all four wheels along with ABS, EBD, TCS, ESP and more.
      New BYD eMAX7
      Performance and Dynamics
      Being an electric vehicle is probably BYD eMAX7’s biggest strength. We say this because the performance is genuinely exhilarating with instant torque available at 0 RPM. The 71.8 kWh battery pack promises a range of 530 km on a single charge. This battery had 99% SOC when we received the car with 347 km on the odometer. After driving 152.8 km, SOC dropped to 41% with 500km on the odometer.
      New BYD eMAX7
      We used 58% of battery (41.644 kWh) to drive 152.8 km. So, we got 3.66 km/kWh efficiency with 263 km of range from a single charge. However, in real-life situations, one can expect BYD eMAX7 to return around 5 km/kWh and 360 km range, with normal driving styles in Eco Mode. Speaking of, there are three driving modes – Eco, Normal and Sport, with a reasonable distinction between them. A 201 bhp 8-in-1 electric motor with 310 Nm of instant torque sips juice from this battery. It pulls cleanly and BYD quotes acceleration figures of 8.6 seconds.
      New BYD eMAX7
      The heavy battery allows for a composed ride with impressive stability at higher speeds. The suspension setup is commendable and does a very good job of absorbing the road undulations and imperfections. It doesn’t feel robust but comes very close. Another notable attribute of eMAX7 is its NVH, or the lack thereof. Cabin insulation is excellent with little to no wind noise from A-Pillars and ORVMs and minimal tyre noise from wheel wells.
      Speaking of tyres, BYD is equipping eMAX7 with 225/55-R17 tyres from a brand called Giti Tires and it loses traction relatively easily. We would have liked stickier tyres with more grip, especially considering the acceleration it has. The 55% profile is also slightly concerning for Indian road conditions. Dynamically, BYD eMAX7 has a lot of body roll, decent steering feedback and some nose-diving under braking. The stopping power is impressive with good initial bite and progression.
      New BYD eMAX7
      Conclusion
      Considering eMAX7 is a fully imported CBU, BYD has got the pricing right, making the locally manufactured rivals look like they’re “not aggressively priced” at all. We say this because the top-spec locally manufactured Innova Hycross with a tiny battery and negligible pure-EV range costs Rs 31 lakh (Ex-sh).
      In comparison, top-spec BYD eMAX Superior 7S costs Rs 29.9 lakh (Ex-sh) offering a 71.8 kWh battery, 530 km range on a single charge and a 201 bhp electric motor that can sprint to 100 km/h in a claimed 8.6 seconds. So, one should just ignore the Toyota Innova Hycross in favour of BYD eMAX7. Right?
      New BYD eMAX7 Key
      The answer to this question is not as easy as it sounds. BYD eMAX7 doesn’t have usable boot with 3rd-row up and it lacks cabin width for that “Seth Ji” feeling. The lack of an auto-dimming IRVM is a deal-breaker, according to me. Something that BYD should consider fixing in an update. Also, there is a lot of space under the bonnet, which BYD could have used for a front trunk. But there is isn’t one.
      New BYD eMAX7 Door Paddings
      For small family with occasional need of 3rd-row and the owner/buyer wants exhilarating performance with a feature rich, premium and tech-savvy cabin, Yes. eMAX7 is an easy recommendation. However, if the buyer wants a good chauffeur-driven experience or needs genuine space to seat up to 8 people and have usable boot with 3rd-row up, the answer is no. But we recommend prospective buyers to keep BYD eMAX7 in the wishlist and take a test drive.
      New BYD eMAX7 More

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      in Electric Cars

      MG Windsor EV First Drive Review – They’ve Cracked The Code!

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      MG Windsor EV First Drive ReviewIndia-spec MG Windsor EV comes equipped with a sole 38 kWh battery pack promising an ARAI certified 332 km range on a single charge
      JSW MG Motor have gotten themselves deeper into the electric vehicle pond. The company just launched their third electric car in India in the form of Windsor EV. JSW MG Motor has devised an innovative BaaS (Battery as a Service) Program allowing exceptionally affordable pricing for what is being offered. With BaaS, Windsor EV starts from a jaw-dropping Rs 9.99 lakh (Ex-sh) with Rs 3.5 rental to be paid for every kilometre clocked.
      Even without BaaS, the pricing is out of this world, starting at Rs 13.5 lakh (Ex-sh). With precious lessons learned from selling ZS EV and Comet EV in India, has MG Motor finally cracked the code to make EVs more mainstream in India? Is Windsor EV the flagbearer to this new revolution? Here’s what we think about MG Windsor EV after driving it around Delhi NCR as part of a national media drive hosted by JSW MG Motor.
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      MG Windsor EV First Drive Review
      Currently, 35% of MG’s sales are from electric cars. The company is confident that the future of mobility is electric. To fortify its EV portfolio, MG launched its 3rd and most interesting electric offering in India, Windsor EV. Among the sea of compact SUVs in the 4.3m length segment, MG calls their new offering, a CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle). Windsor EV’s design is a breath of fresh air.
      Windsor EV Design
      It has the general appeal of a large hatchback with crossover elements. However, it looks much larger than other 4.3m SUVs in the same size bracket. Windsor EV claims to combine luxury of a sedan with versatility of an SUV. After driving it in Gurgaon and Delhi NCR region, we can confidently say MG is successful in meeting that objective.
      MG Windsor EV
      Starting with design, MG Windsor sports clean lines and an overall curvy and swoopy appeal for aerodynamic efficiency. Front fascia gets a small bonnet, Starstreak connected LED DRLs, an illuminated MG logo, and LED projector headlights, among other highlights. Lower bumper features a large air dam with a mesh-like pattern and a chrome-finished faux skid plate. While there is a place for a radar module for ADAS, this feature isn’t available on India-spec model.
      Windsor EV Fascia
      From the side, Windsor EV has a sleek and aerodynamic shape. MG calls it Aeroglide design. Helping the overall aerodynamic performance, Windsor gets flush door handles. Good thing about these door handles is that they pop out automatically, making it a one-step procedure to open the door. Large 18-inch alloys are aerodynamic in shape too and they get Blue highlights to show its eco credentials.
      MG Windsor EV Alloy Wheels
      Main highlight at the side is its expansive window area, thanks to a best-in-class wheelbase of 2700mm. Charging port is positioned at the left front quarter panel, which could have been at the front, below an illuminated logo. From the rear, design remains minimal. To be honest, rear design is not Windsor EV’s forte. Highlight elements here are Smartflow LED connected tail lights, a glass antenna along with MG logo and Windsor badging.
      Windsor EV Charging Port and Door Handles
      MG hasn’t shied away from giving their best. Windsor EV has some of the best paint finishes you can find in 4.3 m-sized vehicles. Speaking of, there are 4 colours on offer – Turquoise Green, Starburst Black, Pearl White and City Beige. MG had provided Rushlane with Turquoise Green shade and it also had quite a log of accessories attached to it as well. Prominent among them are side moulding, wheel arch cladding, and the garnish on the headlights, tail lights, corner protectors and roof rails.
      MG Windsor EV Interiors
      Best-in-class Interiors
      That’s a bold statement to start with, but is true nonetheless. MG Windsor EV greets you with a spacious and futuristic cabin designed for both comfort and technology. Not just that, it also sports high-quality materials and an impressive fit and finish. The all-black interior is complemented by a faux wood finish and soft-touch plastics on the dashboard. Adding to the premium interiors are these Royal Gold highlights.
      Windsor EV Interior Features
      The largest-in-segment 15.6-inch Grandview touch infotainment display takes centre stage and it gets 5 customizable themes. Many of the car’s core functions are integrated into this display, which we wished was not the case. More on it later. Below this display, there are physical climate controls, which seem to be India-specific. The stylish 2-spoke steering wheel is upholstered in premium black leatherette and gets both tilt and telescopic adjustments.
      MG Windsor EV Infotainment Screen
      Both front seats are ventilated, while only the driver seat has a 6-way power adjustment. There is a centre armrest with a large storage area. Because the gear selector is in the steering column, the centre console is riddled with storage compartments. There is a wireless charger as well. Under this is another storage area where you can find some charging ports. Both driver and front passenger sunblinds come with vanity mirrors as well as LED lights. Cruise control, 9 speaker audio system by Infinity and 1st in segment 256 colour ambient light are note-worthy features.
      Windsor EV 360-camera
      Establishing a tech-savvy approach, Windsor EV gets i-SMART telematics system, offering over 80 connected features and voice commands in 6 languages (add supers of languages – Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Gujrati, English, Hindi). And to top it off, you can also control key car functions remotely with its Home-to-Car functionality. Because the car has all four one-touch up/down windows, MG has also integrated it into the lock button on its key. When locked, all windows go up. Also, the car locks and unlocks with key proximity and flush door handles pop out to welcome you.
      MG Windsor EV Front Seats
      Rear seat passengers are pampered with best-in-class legroom with adequate headroom. Further adding to space and comfort are flat floor, centre armrest and rear AC vents. One of the standout features of Windsor EV is the first-in-segment Aero Lounge seats with an insane 135-degree recline, providing a Business-Class experience. The cushioning offered on all seats is really nice. Under thigh support is slightly lacking for tall passengers, but these seats might very well be the best in any 4.3m size vehicle sold in India.
      Windsor EV Front & Rear Seat Space
      One can’t miss the Infinity View glass roof, flooding the interior with natural light and giving this cabin an open, airy ambience. The flip side of this glass roof is that on a hot day, the cabin will take longer to cool. It gets a sun blind that can be granularly adjusted from the infotainment screen. Speaking of, some of the core vehicle controls like opening/closing of sunroof shade, settings for headlight, audio, regen, trip computer, ventilated seats, etc are via this touchscreen.
      MG Windsor EV Rear Seats
      So, if this touchscreen stops responding, users are deprived of these functions. During our drive, this touchscreen froze for a brief period. But started working on its own after some time.
      Windsor EV Boot Space
      Boot space is best in class at 604 litres. For added boot space you can fold rear seats, which come with 60-40 split. Under the boot, is where you will find a charging cable and tyre inflator. In our testing, we managed to fit a lot of luggage and Windsor EV took everything like a champ. One has to be mindful of the 135-degree recline as it hampers some of the boot’s luggage-carrying capacity.
      MG Windsor EV Gold Finish With Ambient Lighting
      Performance and Dynamics
      MG Windsor EV comes equipped with a sole 38 kWh battery pack, powering a single electric motor with 136 horsepower and 200 Nm of torque, powering the front wheels. MG claims an ARAI-certified range of 332 km on a single charge. Charging can be done from both AC and DC power. Windsor EV takes 13.8h to charge from 0-100% SOC from a 3.4 kW AC charger and 6.4h with a 7.4 kW AC charger. The charging time is significantly reduced to 55m for 0-80% SOC if you can find a 50 kW DC charger.
      Windsor EV Specs
      Driving Windsor EV around Delhi NCR, we were quite impressed with the car’s overall performance. There are 4 driving modes on MG Windsor EV – Eco+, Eco, Normal and Sports. Each mode has an impact on the total range indicated on the trip computer. While Eco+ mode feels very dull, all the performance of Windsor EV can be exploited in Sports Mode. The difference between modes is easily visible too.
      MG Windsor EV Driving
      We reset the trip computer for the duration of our testing. In our testing, the range we eked out of Windsor EV was less than 331 km. We received the car from MG Motor with 100% SOC and 716 km on odometer with a projected range of 319 km displayed on the instrument cluster in Normal mode. At the end of our testing, we clocked 130 km on the trip computer with 35% charge left in the battery.
      Windsor EV Range Test
      We used 65% of the battery to drive 130 km in regular driving conditions including driving in the city and on the expressway. At this point, the estimated range indicated by the car was 110 km, in Normal mode, which is a little optimistic. So, Windsor EV used 24.7 kWh of energy (65% of 38 kWh battery) to drive 130 km in Normal mode. We had set regen in the mid-setting for a decent balance between coasting and energy recuperation.
      MG Windsor EV Side
      Calculating mileage (efficiency) of Windsor EV, we got 5.26 km/kWh. Multiplying it with the car’s total battery capacity (38 kWh), we got 200 km of range in realistic conditions when the car is mostly driven in Normal mode and occasionally Eco+ and Sports modes. The AC was on for normal temperatures. If driven entirely in the city at moderate speeds, we would reckon MG Windsor will yield around 7 km/kWh of mileage. Say, 250-270 km on a single charge. Not bad at all.
      Windsor EV Charger Options
      Windsor EV’s dynamics are very sorted. Car handles decently well for its size and is neutral across varied speeds. We didn’t face any unexpected steering characteristics from the car and our overall experience stayed positive throughout the testing span of 130 km. Directional changes do not require a lot of steering effort and the car’s suspension ensures stable movements across varied conditions. Disc brakes at all four corners ensured a sure-footed feeling. Because of regen, there is a slight vagueness at the beginning of the brake pedal travel. But actual braking power is there and is par for the segment.
      MG Windsor EV Rear
      Speaking of suspension, we felt that it was slightly on the firmer side. That explains Windsor’s positive dynamics. However, the car doesn’t feel very robust on Indian roads. Bad patches, speed breakers and even rumble strips filter through the suspension and induce vertical movement in the cabin. This effect is not sports-car-like, but the suspension could have better absorption.
      Windsor EV 135-degrees Recline
      During the presentation of MG Windsor EV, there was a band performing beside the car I was seated in. And I only realised how loud the band actually was after I opened the door. Windsor EV does an excellent job in isolating outside noises and even when driving, there was very little wind noise, tyre noise and other ambient sounds entering the cabin. Definitely exceeds the isolation seen in 4.3m to 4.5m long vehicles sold in India.
      MG Windsor EV Front
      Talking about safety, MG Windsor gets 6 airbags as standard. To further enhance safety, the Windsor EV includes advanced features like ABS, ESP, Hill-start Assist and Hill Descent Control. You also get 360-degree surround view cameras and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, and an auto-dimming inside rearview mirror. Unlike globally sold Wuling Cloud EV, India-spec MG Windsor EV doesn’t get ADAS. At least, not yet.
      Conclusion
      Considering Windsor EV’s features, performance, comfort and attractive pricing, it presents a solid value proposition for anyone looking to make the shift to electric mobility in India. Thanks to BaaS (Battery as a Service) Program, MG has made electric vehicles affordable for general consensus. A strategy that other EV manufacturers might consider to keep up with MG’s aggressive pricing strategies.
      MG Windsor EV Charging Port
      For added peace of mind, MG is offering an unlimited kilometre warranty and buyback plans. Even the public charging stations via MG eHUB are free of cost for Windsor EV buyers for the 1st year. Except for the infotainment screen freezing and depriving us of a few core vehicle functions, we think there are very few negatives with MG Windsor EV. Sure, we would have also liked ADAS suite and the larger 50.6 kWh battery option, allowing for a claimed 460 km of range.
      Windsor EV Warranty
      When we bring price of Windsor EV (with and without BaaS) into the equation, most of the negatives fade away. We liked how unique it looks and we loved the interiors and its expansive space. An electric vehicle or BaaS does not fit into my unpredictable driving needs. That said, for majority of electric car buyers who primarily drive in the city, JSW MG’s electric portfolio with BaaS makes more sense than what rival brands are offering.
      MG Windsor EV
      After learning about the Indian EV market with ZS EV and Comet EV, we can confidently say JSW MG Motor India has finally cracked the code to set itself apart in this segment, primarily dominated by Tata Motors. More