MG ZS EV facelift launched at Rs 21.99 lakh

The refreshed MG ZS EV SUV has just been launched in India, with prices starting at Rs 21.99 lakh for the entry-level Excite variant, and going up to Rs 25.88 lakh (ex-showroom, India) for the top-spec MG ZS Exclusive. Do note that MG had hiked the prices of the outgoing ZS EV by Rs 50,000 at the beginning of the year.  

The new ZS EV gets cosmetic and feature updates that take it closer to its petrol-powered sibling, the MG Astor SUV. New equipment aside, the 2022 MG ZS EV gets a larger battery with an increased claimed range of 461km. 

• New MG ZS EV gets 50.3kWh battery with 461km range
• Gets larger touchscreen, 360-degree camera and more
• Power, torque output rated at 176hp and 280Nm 

MG India, for now, has only opened bookings for the Exclusive variant, while the Excite variant will be available for booking from July this year.

Also see: MG India to launch E230 EV in 2023

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MG ZS EV facelift: now with 461km range

The biggest update on the ZS EV facelift is under its skin. The previous 44.5kWh battery pack has been swapped with a larger 50.3kWh battery pack. MG claims a range of 461km (as per ICAT) with the larger battery, which is 42km more than the 419km claimed range of the previous battery pack. And while the real-world range of the facelifted ZS EV is yet to be tested, for reference, in our Autocar India range test, the previous 44.5kWh battery managed 317km in real-world usage.

The ZS EV continues to be powered by a front-axle mounted electric motor that now produces 176hp and 280Nm, which means power has gone up 33hp over the previous model’s 143hp power output, although torque is down by 73Nm. MG claims the new ZS EV sprint from 0-100kph in 8.5 seconds.

MG ZS EV facelift: exterior updates

The facelifted ZS EV was globally revealed in October last year, and the new India-spec model looks identical to the international version. It also looks more in line with the Astor. The slimmer headlamps with new LED daytime running lamp signatures and LED tail-lamps, for instance, are identical to that of the Astor.

However, that’s where the similarities end, as the ZS EV gets several EV-specific touches. The most distinct of these is a new body-coloured, blanked-off frontal section that replaces the traditional grille. While the charging port is still housed in this grille area, it's not behind the MG logo but neatly hidden on the side. The front and rear bumpers are new for the EV as well and get sporty detailing. It also gets a unique design for the 17-inch alloy wheels.

The new ZS EV is available in four exterior colour options: Ferris White, Currant Red, Ashen Silver and Sable Black.

MG ZS EV facelift: interior and features

There aren’t as many cosmetic updates on the inside of the new ZS EV, although it gets a new faux carbon-fibre trim around the dashboard. The climate control buttons have also been revised and are now similar to those in the Astor.

The bigger talking point is, of course, the additions to the equipment list, most of which have been borrowed from the Astor. The ZS EV gets a new 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, in place of the older 8.0-inch unit, and a new 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster replacing the analogue dials.  

Additionally, it also gets a 360-degree camera and rear drive assist feature that includes blind spot detection, lane change assist and rear cross traffic alert. Interestingly though, MG has skipped on the Astor’s dashboard-mounted robot assistant here on the ZS EV. Other standout features include a panoramic sunroof, updated i-Smart connected car tech, wireless charging, digital Bluetooth key, six airbags, hill descent control, TPMS, ESC among other features.  

MG ZS EV facelift: rivals

In the mass-market EV space in India, the new ZS EV is considerably more premium than the Tata Nexon EV, although the latter will also be updated with a larger battery soon, thus being able to close the gap in terms of range and performance. For reference, the Nexon EV currently has a claimed range of 312km. The new MG ZS EV will also see competition from the upcoming Hyundai Kona Electric facelift that’s slated to launch in India in the coming months. For now, the new ZS EV is the most expensive mass-market EV currently on sale the country. 

What are your thoughts on the pricing of the new ZS EV? Let us know in the comments below.   

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