MG Motor India has two new launches lined up this year that’ll see the brand update an existing product and also introduce an all-new one. Since the Comet’s launch in April 2023, over a year ago, MG hasn’t brought in any new vehicles to our market. However, buoyed by its recent fund infusion from JSW, there’s going to be fresh product onslaught starting from the second half of 2024.
The company has committed to introducing at least one new vehicle every three to six months, and the first new products to arrive will be the MG Gloster facelift and the Cloud EV. Camouflaged test mules of both models have been spotted on multiple occasions on our roads, so here’s what you can expect from MG’s two new launches this year.
MG Gloster facelift
The Gloster has been in the market since 2020, and its about time for a mid-lifecycle update. The SUV is actually based on the Maxus D90 from MG’s parent brand SAIC, and a facelift for the latter has already been revealed in markets like Australia. The India-spec Gloster will essentially be a rebadged version of the D90, and will come with an all-new design inside-out, but is expected to remain mechanically unchanged.
The Gloster facelift will sport a completely new fascia that’s dominated by an enormous hexagonal grille with red highlights; there will be a new split headlamp setup, pronounced wheel arches and more rugged cladding. At the rear, it'll get a new LED tail-lights connected by a light band and a reprofiled bumper. There will be likely be a new design for the 18-inch alloys as well. The India-spec model could see some additional usage of chrome.
On the inside, the Gloster facelift is expected to have a tweaked dashboard with a larger touchscreen, redesigned AC vents and a new centre console with revised switchgear. Mechanically, however, it is expected to carry forward the existing 2.0-litre diesel engine with both 4x2 and 4x4 drive configurations.
MG Cloud EV
The Cloud EV is sold under the Wuling brand by SAIC in Indonesia, and as the Baojun Yunduo in China. However, it will be rebadged as an MG for the Indian market, just as the Comet is a rebranded Wuling Air. The Cloud EV measures about 4.3 metres in length and has a wheelbase of 2,700mm, but while its stance and shape is like an MPV, it's only a five-seater with two rows of seating. The best way to describe the Cloud EV would be as a cross between a large hatchback and an MPV.
Being a born-EV, it has typical interior packaging advantages allowing for lots of space. The dashboard sports a minimalist theme, there’s a large floating touchscreen and the front seat backrest can be fully reclined for what is called the “sofa mode with 135-degree backseat recline”.
The Cloud EV gets two battery pack options overseas – a 37.9kWh and a 50.6kWh, with 360km and 460km of range, respectively. It’s powered by a front-axle mounted, permanent magnet synchronous motor that produces 134hp, but it remains to be seen which of these versions will be brought here.
MG Gloster facelift, Cloud EV launch timeline, expected price
There’s no confirmation on the launch timeline of either model, but we know the product onslaught will start from the second half of 2024, which means one can be expected to arrive around the festive season and other, by the year-end. The Gloster facelift could see a decent mark up in price – current prices range between Rs 38.80 lakh-43.87 lakh (ex-showroom). Sources say that that the Cloud EV could be priced under Rs 20 lakh in India with high levels of localisation.
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