MG Cloud EV design patented in India

We recently reported that the Cloud EV is expected to be among the first to arrive under MG’s upcoming model blitz for India. It's likely to be priced quite aggressively – under Rs 20 lakh – which means it will sit in the heart of the EV market, and will be MG’s third electric offering in India.

Following sightings of camouflaged test mules on our roads, image of a design patent filed by MG for its Cloud EV has recently surfaced on the internet, further hinting at its launch sometime in the second half of 2024.

MG Cloud EV: what is it?

MG's parent brand SAIC sells the Cloud EV under the Wuling brand name in Indonesia and as the Baojun Yunduo in China. However, it will be rebadged as an MG in India, just as the Comet is a rebranded Wuling Air.

The Cloud EV is slightly smaller than traditional MPVs like the Maruti Ertiga and Kia Carens – it's about 4.3 metres long and has a wheelbase of 2,700mm. Despite that typical MPV stance and shape, it's only a 5-seater. The best way to describe the Cloud EV would be as a cross between a large hatchback and an MPV.

MG Cloud EV exterior and interior

The Cloud EV is characterised by a minimalistic design language with clean surfacing, flush door handles and full-width LED light bars at the front and rear. The stepped front-end design with the headlamps mounted on the bumper give it a unique look. Being a born electric vehicle, it has very short overhangs, and the wrap-around glasshouse gives the roof a floating effect.

The theme of minimalism continues on the inside with clean, horizontal lines defining the dashboard and door trims. What stands out are the floating screens – a large centrally mounted touchscreen and a digital display for the instrument cluster. It also has the typical packaging advantages of a born EV allowing for lots of interior space; the front seat backrest can even be fully reclined for what is called the “sofa mode with 135-degree backseat recline”. In Indonesia, it also gets an ADAS suite with a 360-degree camera.

MG Cloud EV range, specs

The Cloud EV gets two battery pack options overseas – a 37.9kWh and a 50.6kWh, with 360km and 460km 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 Cloud EV expected price, rivals

Sources say that MG will be looking to price the Cloud EV under Rs 20 lakh in India, for which the key will be to have high levels of localisation, including that of the battery pack. For its price, it will compete with the Tata Nexon EV and the Mahindra XUV400, as well as upcoming midsize EVs such as the Creta EV and Maruti eVX.