MG ZS EV facelift launched in India

The all-electric MG ZS EV facelift has just been released in India, with prices beginning at Rs 21.99 lakh for the entry-level Excite and rising to Rs 25.88 lakh for the top-spec Exclusive variants (ex-showroom).

Note that at the start of the year, MG increased the price of the outgoing ZS EV by Rs 50,000. The new ZS EV receives visual and function improvements that bring it closer to the Astor SUV, which is fueled by gasoline.

MG ZS EV facelift range

The most significant change to the ZS EV facelift is found beneath its skin. A bigger 50.3kWh battery pack has replaced the previous 44.5kWh battery pack.

With the bigger battery, MG claims a range of 461 km, which is a good 42 km longer than the previous battery pack’s stated range of 419 km. However, the real-world range may vary.

The ZS EV continues to be driven by a front-axle mounted electric motor that now delivers 176 horsepower and 353 Nm, an increase of 33 horsepower over the previous model’s 143 horsepower. MG says that the new electric ZS sprints from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in 8.5 seconds.

MG ZS EV facelift new features

The facelifted ZS EV was unveiled worldwide in October of last year, and the new India-spec variant resembles the international model.

It also appears to be more in keeping with the Astor. For example, Astor’s smaller headlights with new LED daytime running lighting characteristics and LED tail-lamps are identical.

However, the similarities end there, since this electric SUV features various EV-specific features. The most noticeable of them is the replacement of the classic grille with a new body-coloured, blanked-off frontal piece.

While the charging connection is still in this grille region, it is now nicely buried on the side rather than behind the MG logo. The EV’s front and back bumpers are also redesigned, with sporty styling. The 17-inch alloy wheels have a distinctive design as well.

Also read: All-electric Mini Cooper SE launched in India

Ferris White, Currant Red, Ashen Silver, and Sable Black are the four exterior colour options for the 2022 ZS EV.

On the inside, this new EV receives a new pseudo carbon fibre trim around the dashboard, but there aren’t as many visual changes. The climate control buttons have also been updated to match those found in the Astor.

The most talked-about additions to the equipment list are borrowed from the Astor. In place of the earlier 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, the EV gets a new 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, as well as a new 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster to replace the analogue dials.

A 360-degree camera is also included, as well as a rear-drive assist function that incorporates blind spot identification, lane change assist, and rear cross-traffic warning.

MG, on the other hand, has omitted Astor’s dashboard-mounted robot assistance from the ZS EV. A panoramic sunroof, upgraded i-Smart linked car technology, wireless charging, a digital Bluetooth key, six airbags, hill descent control, TPMS, and ESC are among the other notable features.

MG ZS EV facelift rivals in India

In India’s mass electric car market, the 2022 ZS EV is significantly more expensive than the Tata Nexon EV, however, the latter will be upgraded with a bigger battery shortly, bridging the range and performance difference.

The Nexon EV presently has a stated range of 312 kilometres. The Hyundai Kona Electric facelift, which is set to appear in India in the coming months, will compete with the new MG ZS EV as well.