MG Motor India has launched the 2021 MG ZS EV with an optimised battery pack which has a claimed range of 419km, 79km more than the previously claimed range of 340km. That aside, MG has also raised the ground clearance and the ZS EV now runs on higher profile tyres. Like before, the MG ZS EV will be available in two variants — Excite and Exclusive which are priced at Rs 21 lakh and 24.18 lakh respectively, a marginal increase over the outgoing prices.
With the optimised battery pack, MG Motor India is confident that the real world range of the ZS EV will range between 300-400km, irrespective of the weather or terrain. The battery pack isn’t the only thing that has changed though. The ZS EV now stands taller with 177mm of ground clearance compared to 161mm on the previous one. The tyres have also been upgraded from 215/50 R17 to 215/55 R17 but the alloys remain the same in terms of design.
While the range has increased by 79km, the performance of the ZS EV hasn’t changed. The 44.5kWh battery pack delivers 140bhp and 353Nm of torque and does the 0-100kmph dash in just 8.5 seconds (claimed). The ZS EV continues to get Sport, Normal and Eco driving modes and three levels of regeneration which can be chosen via a KERS switch in the centre console. The ZS EV can charge up to 80 per cent in an hour with a DC fast charger while it takes six to eight hours on an AC charger. The ZS EV also gets an on-board adapter that can be plugged into a normal 15A wall socket and this takes 15 to 16 hours to top up the charge. In case you run out of charge while you’re on the move, MG offers roadside assistance round the clock.
On the inside, the 2021 ZS EV retains the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system and features MG’s i-Smart EV 2.0 that has over 60 connected car features. Through the phone app, you can check the battery status, range, and also control functions like climate control, engine start/stop and door lock/unlock. Like other MG cars, the ZS EV also has a 5G-ready Airtel e-sim which can receive OTA updates and connects to external Wi-Fi like your home network or your mobile hotspot.
The updated ZS EV has now moved closer to its rival — Hyundai Kona which has a claimed range of 452km. However, this range advantage comes at a premium as prices for the Kona starts from Rs 23.75 lakh. Additionally, the Tata Nexon EV is still the most affordable EV with prices starting from Rs 14 lakh.