MG Motor India is gearing up to introduce its compact mass-market EV in our market. The all-new MG EV for India was recently spotted testing in Gujarat and we can confirm today that its market launch will take place in the first half of 2023, with a debut likely at the 2023 Auto Expo in January.
We bring you the first photos of the India-bound small MG EV and also uncover its expected features list and range options.
- MG compact EV likely to get two range options
- Will launch by June 2023
- To be loaded with features and tech
MG compact EV for India gets dual 10.25 inch screens
After our reveal of the MG two-door compact EV’s exterior in the June 2022 edition of the Autocar India magazine, we’ve now got our hands on the upcoming all-electric small car’s cabin. While the interior layout looks quite similar to the popular (and even smaller) Wuling Honguang EV sold in China, the Wuling Air EV seen in these pictures, in right-hand guise, has a lot more equipment. The car is expected to go on sale in Indonesia and could be largely similar to the one headed here, possibly with a different market name and with MG branding.
As seen in these images, the India-bound small MG EV’s interior shows a dual-tone set-up, with lighter shades used liberally across the cabin. The highlight of the interior is the twin 10.25-inch screens positioned side by side, giving out vehicle details and other information. Two horizontally positioned AC vents are placed right below the screen, with three round knobs for HVAC controls.
The steering wheel is a two-spoke unit with a round boss and two distinct control sets on each side, both finished in silver; these house controls for audio and navigation, as well as voice commands for the infotainment, among other functions. The door pads, dashboard and seats are finished in white and grey.
While the cabin is strictly for four occupants, it looks spacious – the rear seats seem to be pushed backwards to liberate more legroom but leave almost no cargo space – as seen in the pictures. The centre console – which does not extend to the dashboard, as there is no transmission tunnel to cover – has some storage space, the gear selector, electronic parking brake and power window switches. The silver-finished switchgear looks similar to the ones seen on newer Mercedes-Benz models.
MG Wuling Air EV likely to get two range options
The model that will go on sale in Indonesia will come with two range options and India is expected to follow suit. The standard range version of the Wuling Air EV will come with a claimed 200km range, while the extended range model promises 300km. If the India-spec car comes with similar figures, it will rival the fleet-only Tata X-Press T EV, which has a 165km range, on the lower end and the Tigor EV that’s sold to the general public and comes with a 306km range.
Sources tell us that the Wuling Air EV for international markets is powered by a single motor set-up, offering two power options – 30kW and 50kW; it is powered by a lithium-iron-phosphate battery. For India, we can confirm that this new MG EV will get a locally sourced battery pack from Tata AutoComp, which has a joint venture with Chinese battery supplier Gotion for the design, manufacture and supply and service of battery packs in the country. It will also use LFP cells, which are similar to the ones seen on the popular Nexon EV sold here.
Rivan RS 
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
