MG ZS EV Facelift, Tech Equipped EV With Impressive Range

Introduction- Going more deep in the EV segment, MG finally wrap off’s the new 2022 updated ZS EV. In this Facelift we got bigger battery, updated exterior and interior with some added features. This face lifted ZS EV is a electric version of Astor, its exterior and interior is very identical to Astor. When this EV starts running on road sometimes it shares its lots of characteristics with Astor, but MG done a clever job by distinguish between two of them thanks to new alloys, fresh front grill and some other EV badging also. Like before in the 2022 MG ZS EV we have 2 variants – Excite and Exclusive. Top end variant Exclusive delivery starts from March end but Excite trim is available from July 2022. Battery and electric parts shortage is the main cause to the delayed delivery of Excite variant.

Engine and Performance- Like this facelift is now coming with bigger battery setup, we have 50.3 kWh lithium battery which is placed at below the floor pan.

 The electric motor produces a 174bhp of power and 280Nm of torque, result is it goes 0 to 100 Kmph in just 8.5 seconds. Earlier version gets 143bhp means 33bhp less than present one, so this more 33bhp increase the overall performance, top speed and also the gives more kick to the passenger also. Top speed of the vehicle is 166 KMPH and will decently goes 100+ in no time, thanks to the massive torque which absolutely spins the rear wheel and fly like a jet. This electric MG is also coming with an 3 modes for curse, which is basically a regeneration braking. In this regeneration braking it converts the kinetic energy into electric energy by applying brakes

 Actually all the EV’s in the market are coming with this regeneration braking system, it overall effects on your driving range. On any hairpin bends or stiff ghats this vehicle never feels like a EV, it pulls you back in the seat in no time and disappear in the seconds. In full charge MG claimed that this EV goes 465km but in real world it will gives us a 300+ range easily. End of the day it all depends on our driving style, to charge this electric beast MG gives us 5 options- First is the 7.4kWh AC fast charger which charges this beast in 8 to 9 hr which is placed at your home or workstation and also MG’s selected dealerships. Second option is the regular 15Amp charging socket which is available at our home which charges the vehicle in 17 to 18 hrs, third option is 50kWh DC fast charger which is only available at MG’s selected dealerships can be able to juiced up the vehicle in only 60 minutes.

This option is very useful in cities but availability of charging ports is the main drawback of this facility, because of the increasing numbers of EV’s sometimes there are not enough charging ports available in the dealerships. But to cover up the range anxiety MG has also given us a Mobile Van service which comes in between 60 minutes to tow your vehicle and charge it, MG claimed that this service is available in all India with 24x7x365 days. That’s cool part because going on long road trips in a EV is the real task, MG’s mobile van service will really useful in following case.

Exterior- Length of the vehicle is 4323mm, width is 1809mm and height is 1649mm. The wheelbase is 2581mm and ground clearance is ample enough for bad patches and potholes. Starting from the front now it gets a body coloured grill with same celestial treatment which we are also seen in Astor. The charging port is now slightly shifted to left thanks to the front camera which is placed below at MG’s logo. Headlight unit is not changed, we got same led projector headlamps with drl which also turns in indicators. Now we have some black coloured tweaks on the bumper with some chrome garnishing on it which gives sportier appeal to vehicle.

The vehicle is running on 17 inch alloys which are redesigned to distinguish between Astor and ZS EV, the side body is crafted very well thanks to the chrome door handles, chrome window line and black body cladding which is running throughout the car. The request sensors are available on both the sides of the car which is really nice thing and important nowadays. On its roof there are silver roof rails with a massive panoramic sunroof and shark fin antenna.

 Coming to the rear it gets same Astor like celestial led tail lamps with led indicators and fog lights as well. The tailgate is identical to the Astor with some extra tweaks to differentiate the ZS EV, we have sportier bumper with some glossy black finish on the lower side. On its bumper we have parking sensors and a parking camera with again glossy black finish. The exterior body of the vehicle is crafted with very practical thoughts which this EV makes more beautiful and also differentiate with Astor.

Interior – Interior of the vehicle is finished in all black with red stitching to get sporty treatment in the car, probably blue is the signature colour of an EV but red will also look better in this vehicle.

The dashboard is again identical to the Astor, only difference is that all black treatment than dual tone. On the dashboard we have two circular AC vents which is placed at two ends of the dashboard with two AC vents at centre. The dashboard is finished in soft touch fabric but lower down we got lots of hard touch material. The infotainment screen is a 10.1 inch unit which is now bigger earlier it was 8 inch in size. In this screen we have lots of tech inside it like wireless android auto and apple car play, battery information, jio music, air conditioning controls, air filter, voice commands and i-call system where if we can call MG motors if we have any information or assistance related service, charging or any road side assistance.  

The air conditioning controls are moved in that touchscreen infotainment system which is quite cool and nice for use and makes the job done. Below this screen we have a wireless charging pad with some USB ports as well. The centre console is changed a bit, the gear liver is gone now and gear selector dial is now added. Slightly near this we have electric parking brake with some other controls like regeneration braking and lot of other bit.  

Centre console is loaded with the chubby holes and lots of storage space which can make ease in day today life. The instrument cluster is also a nice unit which tells us lots of things like battery consumption, trip meter, battery voltage, speedometer, tyre pressure and lots of more. To operate this instrument cluster we have controls on the steering wheel, the steering wheel is wrapped in leather with that red stitching. The front seats are very premium and cosy, our body will correctly fit inside it and gives a proper comfort even in long routes also.

Like that the second row is identical to the Astor because they shares the dimensions and wheelbase also. The second row is good for three people but comfortable for two people because at the end of the day this is compact suv. The legroom is quite good with ample enough knee room, the under thighs support is poor for tall passengers but still it makes the job done. Second row gets two AC vents with centre armrest and three height adjustable headrest.  

Headroom is not an issue thanks to the massive panoramic sunroof which brings lots of air and sunlight inside the cabin, it never feels claustrophobic in the cabin. The boot space is 448 litres, it is decently enough but it is also expandable by splitting the second row seats in 60:40 ratio. The interior quality is decently enough for a midsized suv,

where the switches and touchscreen controls are also next level in terms of quality. This ZS EV is loaded with lots of features in it like a 6 way power adjustable driver seat, push button start stop, keyless entry, automatic headlights, rain sensing wipers, wireless charger, powered ORVM with foldable function, follow me home headlamps, heated orvm, pm 2.5 air filter and more.

This electric MG is also coming with connected car tech named as i-smart, in this we got digital key, remote AC control, speed camera alert, multi language voice commands, 35+ hinglish voice command, low battery voice alert, smart watch friendly app and 55+ more features. To make this EV more safer, MG is always trying to make its car secure and safe, well this EV also equipped with 6 airbags, electronic stability program, ABS and EBD, hill hold control, hill descent control, TPMS,

all wheel disc brakes, speed sensing auto door lock, high speed warning, isofix child seat anchors, 360 degree parking camera with rear parking sensors, rear drive assist, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, lane change assist and tons of other safety tech. This MG ZS EV is available in 4 colour themes options.

1. Currant Red
2. Ashen Silver
3. Sable Black
4. Ferris White

Conclusion- Now the only Excite trim is available in this EV so the price of this electric MG starts from 25.88L (ex-showroom Delhi). Currently this is the most expensive made in India EV in market, but this segment is loaded with lots of other cars like Tata Nexon EV, Tata Tigor EV, Mahindra XUV 700, MG Hector plus, Jeep Compass, Tata Harrier, Citroen C5 Aircross.

This electric MG has lots of potential with great packaging and coming with premium features as well. The costing of this EV is slightly on the higher side but still it sold in great numbers, MG is really making its cars worth by its practicality. Availability of the charging stations are now a big backdrop to this segment but MG’s four ways of charging and facility of 24x7x365 mobile van service made this EV flagship in its class.

Ratings To MG ZS EV Facelift From Team Ignition

All Photo Credit- B.U.Bhandari MG Dealership, Pune, Wakad