New MG compact EV spied in India

MG Motor India has begun road tests of its upcoming entry-level electric car which will go on sale here in 2023. This electric car is based on the Wuling Air EV (Codename: E230) that was unveiled in Indonesia recently and will be adapted for the Indian market. These spy shots confirm our scoop from the June 2022 Autocar India issue in which we covered MG's India plans for the two-door body styled EV.

• New MG EV based on Wuling Air
• To be priced at around Rs 10 lakh
• Will be loaded with features

MG entry-level EV: India plans

MG had announced last year that it will introduce an entry-level EV in India and will price it between Rs 10 lakh-15 lakh. This new EV will be primarily positioned as an urban runabout in our country.

The Wuling Air stretches the tape at 2.9 metres and has a 2,010mm wheelbase, which makes it around 400mm shorter than the Maruti Alto. The model sold in Indonesia gets 12-inch steel wheels, but the model headed here could get alloy wheels. Additionally, this left-hand drive test-mule seen here seems to have a tailgate mounted spare wheel, which is not seen on the one sold overseas.

It's likely that MG India will equip this model to the hilt. Expect a dual screen layout for infotainment and instrumentation duties. We've learned that higher variants will come with soft-touch materials and adequate dose of wood and faux aluminum bits. With this entry-level EV, MG India will target affluent households in big cities where this vehicle could be a third or even fourth car. 

MG entry-level EV: battery pack from Tata AutoComp

This new EV from MG will have a locally sourced battery pack form Tata AutoComp which has a joint venture with Chinese battery supplier Gotion for design, manufacture and supply and service of battery packs in India. It will also use LFP cells, which is similar to the ones seen on the popular Nexon EV sold here.  

Expect more details on MG’s entry level EV to trickle in ahead of its India debut at the upcoming Auto Expo 2023 in January.