MG Motor

MG One SUV – Image for reference.With pricing in range of Rs 10-15 lakh, MG’s new electric car will take on Tata Nexon EV and Hyundai’s upcoming electric car
While SUV segment is currently the focus area for most carmakers, the next big battle will be in EV space. Estimates indicate that EV sales will witness CAGR of 53% by 2028. Sales are expected to zoom to around 1.75 lakh units per year by 2028. A significant percentage of the sales will comprise entry-level electric cars like Nexon EV.
Among the auto companies that are planning to take an early lead in this space is MG Motor. MG already offers its ZS EV in India, which is the second bestselling EV in India, after Tata Nexon EV. ZS EV is a premium electric car, available at a starting price of Rs 21 lakh. Due to its high pricing, it cannot be expected to generate high volumes.
New MG Electric Car For India
MG’s new electric car will directly rival Nexon EV. It will be available in the price range of Rs 10-15 lakh. In comparison, Nexon EV is available in the range of Rs 14.24 lakh to Rs 16.85 lakh.
There could be more rivals for MG, as other carmakers like Hyundai are also planning to launch entry-level electric cars in India. Hyundai is planning multiple electric cars In India, one of which will be Nexon EV rival. It could be based on existing petrol-powered cars such as Venue or i10 Nios.
New MG5 Sedan. Image for reference.
MG Motor is encouraged by the fact that government has provided significant clarity on EV roadmap in the country. It motivates the company to aggressively target this space. MG Motor feels that it should be able to launch its new electric car in India by end of next financial year. MG’s new EV will be based on a global platform. However, it will be customized to meet Indian drive conditions, regulations and local tastes and preferences.
Focus on localization
In addition to domestic sales, MG Motor will be also targeting exports of its new EV. It will primarily cater to other emerging markets in Asia. MG Motor will be looking to utilize the government’s PLI (Production Linked Incentive) scheme, wherein cash incentives are given to manufacturers based on production.
PLI scheme was recently extended for auto sector, auto components and battery manufacturing. For its new electric car, MG will target high level of localization that covers motor, battery and other parts. MG’s new electric car could be a better match to the likes of Nexon EV. It is likely to have a comprehensive range of features. If competitively priced, it could beat Nexon EV in the numbers game.
Even the premium MG ZS EV has considerable demand in India. There are currently more than 2,000 pending orders, primarily due to global shortage of semiconductor chips. Due to this, monthly deliveries are limited to around 250-300 units. As the situation improves, MG hopes to increase supply to 500-600 units per month from February 2022 onwards. More

2022 MG ZS Electric FaceliftMG updated the battery pack of the India-spec ZS EV a few months back which offers a claimed ARAI range of 419 kms on a single charge
MG is looking to expand its presence across European markets as it has unveiled the new ZS EV facelift. For 2022, the electric crossover has received a mild makeover that involves subtle cosmetic updates but more importantly gets an upgraded battery pack. It is expected to hit showrooms in the UK by November this year. ZS is an all electric version of the soon to be launched Astor in India.
Other than the styling tweaks and electrical upgrades, the updated ZS EV gets a new range-topping variant called Long Range. To start with its design, the electric SUV gets subtle variations in design although the overall silhouette has been retained from the current model.
2022 MG ZS EV (Astor Electric) – Styling And Features
Upfront, the facelifted ZS EV ditches a chrome-surround grille in favour of a faux sealed-off grille which marks a clear distinction between itself and its IC engine-powered sibling. It is flanked by sleeker LED headlamp units on each side which resemble the ones in its petrol-powered counterpart Astor recently unveiled in India. It also sports reprofiled front and rear bumpers, a new alloy wheel design and slightly redesigned LED internals for taillights.
Just like its exterior, the interior of the cabin of the 2022 MG ZS Electric Facelift also doesn’t boast any radical changes. The dashboard layout remains identical to the outgoing model. However, it gets a new 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment display along with an updated fully digital instrument console.
2022 MG ZS Electric Facelift
The infotainment system is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It is also equipped with MG’s iSmart platform which offers a wide range of connected car features.
New Battery Options
More significant updates have been made to its battery options. The updated ZS EV will be available in two derivatives- base and long-range. The base variant of the electric crossover now gets a larger 51 kWh battery pack instead of a 44.5 kWh unit. The new battery pack offers a range of 320 kms on a single charge as opposed to 263 kms in the older base model.
The long-range variant features an even larger 72 kWh battery which offers a range of 439 kms on a single charge as per the WLTP cycle. Both variants are offered with an 11 kW AC charger as standard. Further, MG has integrated a four-stage LED indicator into the charging port offset to the right of the brand logo at the nose to reflect charging status.
2022 MG ZS Electric Facelift
The company claims that the long-range variant could be fully charged in ten and a half hours using the standard AC charger. On using a 100 kW DC fast charger, the battery could be rejuvenated 0-80 percent in just 42 minutes. Motor specifications of the car have remained unchanged.
The long-range variant has been priced at €34,990 (INR 30.34 lakh) whereas the base variant is expected to go on sale sometime next year at a price of €30,990 (INR 26.87 lakh). The facelifted ZS EV is unlikely to reach Indian shores anytime soon. Expect it to arrive in India later next year. It could get renamed to MG Astor Electric or MG Astor EV. More

MG Maze Electric Car Concept
The MG Maze Concept is an electric two-seater car, aimed at next generation of users – Could be controlled via a smartphone over internet
MG Motor has showcased the Maze Concept for 2021 which supposedly has been inspired by video games. It is a fully electric car concept that has been designed and conceptualised by London-based SAIC Design, a European design studio owned by MG parent company SAIC.
Same folks also designed the MG Cyberster which was revealed earlier this year at the Shanghai Motor Show. The concept is a mere design illustration as of now which has been envisioned keeping future electric vehicles in mind. This would appeal to the next generation of car buyers.
The company says it has been designed in recognition of three key principles: “Play is important. Discovery is important. Adventure is important.” The Maze concept is a result of blending the worlds of motoring and gaming.
SAIC Design has revealed that it wanted to capture the “at-home gaming scenario” and bring it to life inside a car. As mentioned earlier, it remains a digital rendering and has no plans of becoming real for now.
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Video Game-Inspired Cockpit
Maze has been designed to take part in a ‘real-world treasure hunt’ of digital art installations in cities. It takes the form of a points-based rewards system for drivers which operates in a similar fashion as any computer or console-based video game.
Entry to the cockpit can be accessed through a vertically opening glass canopy. The vertical glass canopy takes less space as compared to a normal side-opening door when open.
On entering the small cabin, one is welcomed by a pair of zero-gravity seats, a video game controller and a screen, which are more reminiscent of a personalised gaming room than a car. Instead of a steering wheel, the car is controlled by the user’s phone. Even the exterior of Maze takes inspiration from gaming with its transparent shell, exposed componentry and LED backlighting emulating the look of a high-end gaming PC.
MG Maze Electric Car Concept
Exterior Design
The short overhangs and extremely compact dimensions ensure great maneuverability in a congested environment. The view outside the cabin from the cockpit is clear and unobstructed thanks to the canopy glass opening. Since it is just a digital illustration, details of its hypothetical underpinnings stay under wraps.
SAIC has revealed that this concept would feature multiple electric motors coupled with a swappable battery pack. However, the carmaker did not divulge any performance figures yet. While the Maze Concept may not be seen on roads in the coming future, it does reveal what future mobility could look like. Even though the design sounds and appears whimsical, it will gather some traction on the internet. More

Image – Superior AutoBy reducing the battery capacity, MG might be able to price ZS EV more aggressively, thus, making it more accessible
In a little over two years since it set foot in the Indian market, MG Motor has constantly fiddled with its lineup by introducing new updates to its models. This has been in the form of inclusion of new variants or a new transmission option. In other words, the carmaker has been wary of the volatile market and has focused on consumer needs.
As per the latest development, the MG Motor India is getting ready to shrink the battery capacity on offer with ZS EV. The crossover is currently the only model from the company running on an electric power source. This information has been revealed from a type approval document submitted by MG Motor to the Delhi RTO office.
New battery on offer
At present, ZS EV is offered with a battery pack of 44.5Wh capacity which returns a claimed range of 419 kms (ICAT certification) on a single charge. With the shrink in battery capacity, it is expected to offer a lower range on a single charge. This could also result in MG Motor reducing prices for the electric SUV. According to the document, the updated ZS EV will now be equipped with a battery capacity of 40kWh.
The downsized battery pack is also likely to take less time to get fully charged. Presently, a 7.4kW AC charger takes six to eight hours to get fully juiced up. On the other hand, a 50kW DC fast charger takes less than 50 minutes to juice up the battery from zero to eighty percent. The updated battery pack will be applied to both its trims- Excite and Exclusive.
MG ZS EV to get 40 kWh Battery Pack?
Currently, it is the Tata Nexon EV which is the best selling electric passenger car in the country. MG ZS EV is at No 2. Nexon EV is priced in the range of Rs 14 lakh to Rs 16.65 lakh while MG ZS EV is priced from Rs 21 lakh to Rs 24.21 lakh. By reducing size of battery pack, MG could get the price of ZS EV base variant closer to the price tag of top end Nexon EV. This will also help MG to boost their EV sales.
Other Specs & Features
Other than the change in battery specifications, no other updates are expected to take place on the electric crossover. The new battery pack will send power to the same three-phase permanent synchronous motor which will continue to crank out the same output of 141 bhp and 353 Nm of peak torque.
Like every MG model, ZS EV is brimmed up with features that include an 8-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a digital instrument console, a panoramic sunroof, connected car tech, projector headlamps, auto climate control, cruise control and inbuilt air purifier. In terms of safety, ZS EV offers six airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control (ESC), and hill descent control to name a few features.
Existing MG ZS Electric
MG Astor
MG Motor is also getting ready to launch of Astor SUV. The upcoming C-segment compact SUV is essentially the IC engine derivative of ZS EV and was officially unveiled by the company recently.
The carmaker claims that Astor will be the first car in India to be equipped with a fully inbuilt Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform. It is expected to hit showrooms by Diwali this year and will compete against the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq and the upcoming Volkswagen Taigun. More

MG Cyberster Sportscar Teaser
The MG Cyberster EV is claimed to be the world’s first supercar to have a gaming cockpit
The MG Cyberster two-door electric sportscar concept has revealed in the form of digital renderings ahead of its world premiere on March 31. The future ready concept will serve as a demonstration platform for the automaker’s technical prowess and design direction.
MG Cyberster
Styled by MG Motor’s global design team, the Cyberster derives its inspiration from the yesteryear’s MGB Roadster convertible but it is thoroughly modern machine. The design study’s almond-shaped LED headlamps and narrow slot of a grille play homage to the classic MG sportscars and cabriolets, but the sharp bumper splitters represent futuristic approach.
MG Cyberster Sportscar Teaser
The massive wheels have tight clearance with the bodywork, giving the car a race-ready stance. The heavily contoured sheet metal surfaces add a dramatic effect to the electric sportscar’s profile. The Kammback styling of the rear end is another nod to the vintage automotive design, but it is also an aerodynamically sound element which is highlighted by the LED lighting signature.
What do we know so far?
Nothing much has been revealed so far but we know that the MG Cyberster concept packs an electric powertrain which is capable of covering 800 km on a single charge. The car is claimed to reach 100 kmph from standstill in under 3 seconds. More details about the motor and battery specifications are expected to be revealed at the time of global debut.
MG Cyberster Sportscar Teaser
MG will introduce its next generation connectivity suite on the Cyberster concept which will support 5G technology. It is a sportscar concept but it is also a technology demonstration platform, and so, expect a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) amounting to at least level 3 autonomy.
The interiors have not been revealed yet but MG Motor describes the vehicle as the world’s first supercar to be equipped with a gaming cockpit to attract the Gen Z.
Will it be produced?
MG has not discussed any plans to come up with a production version of the Cyberster, but it could lead to a limited series model which could be marketed as a brand shaper. The various technologies that are on board will eventually make their way to the automaker’s future products.
MG Cyberster Sportscar Teaser
In India, MG is gearing up to introduce the petrol version of the ZS compact crossover which will go on sale as the brand’s most affordable product when it goes on sale later this year. The company is also reportedly working on a new top-end variant of its popular Hector called Savvy. The new variant is question is expected to pack ADAS features like radar-based cruise control, and collision avoidance, in addition to lane departure warning enabled by a windshield-mounted camera. More

MG ZS Electric Car Donated To IIT DelhiThe alliance will help to further the research being conducted in the field of electric and autonomous vehicles
MG Motor India has formed an alliance with IIT Delhi – Centre for Automotive Research and Tribology (CART). This partnership is being forged for extensive research in the field of electric and autonomous vehicles.
The focus of IIT Delhi will be in furthering the MG Motor endeavor on Connected – Autonomous –Shared – Electric (CASE) through research in deployment of electric and autonomous vehicles through urban India.
In keeping with the new research subject, MG Motor has also donated a ZS EV to IIT Delhi and the research will also include Connected Mobility in terms of Route Planning and Navigation, Obstacle Detection, Seamless and Natural Human Interaction and AI for Inferring and Decision-making.
Child Car Safety Seat Project
This is not the first such study conducted by IIT Delhi for MG Motor. Earlier the automaker had worked with IIT Delhi to boost in-car child safety seat project via geofencing. The study also extended to innovation challenge Hackathons in partnership with IIT Delhi for a safer and greener most of travel.
MG ZS Electric Car Donated To IIT Delhi
It may be recalled that the MG ZS EV is the first internet electric SUV while the Gloster is the first autonomous Level 1 premium SUV. Both these cars make ideal case studies in developing the future of autonomous vehicles, especially so in an institute that is ranked among the top in terms of technology in the world.
CART offers high end research into areas such as battery operated electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles along with storage and alternate energy sources and autonomous and connected vehicles.
MG ZS EV and Gloster
With electric vehicles becoming popular in our markers, the MG ZS EV competes with the Tata Nexon EV and Hyundai Kona EV. More recently, at the Green Car Award by ICOTY, the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Kona and ZS EV were in the top 3 spots, scoring 106 points, 99 points and 93 points respectively.
MG ZS Electric Car Donated To IIT Delhi
The MG Gloster and ZS EV have also been contributing heavily to company sales. In Feb 21, MG Motor India recorded their highest production, booking and sales with 4,329 units sold relating to a 214 percent YoY growth. The company attributed this growth to the ZS EV and Gloster.
MG Motor India is now working on extending their charging infrastructure and localization of powertrains. MG Motor recently clocked its 50,000th unit production milestone with the Hector and plans to produce 1 lakh units annually by 2022 from its Halol plant. Current production stands at 80,000 units with the Hector 6 and 7 seater, Gloster and EV while the company also plans a fourth car – Model K in the third quarter of this year. More