India-bound MG eZS SUV unveiled

MG Motor has taken the wraps off its new all-electric SUV at the Guangzhou Motor Show 2018: the eZS.

Autocar India had exclusively reported last month that the eZS is set to be MG's second product for India. Revealed in production form, the eZS looks largely identical to the conventional fuel-powered model, but sports subtle changes such as a new exclusive blue paint shade, a different design for the five-spoke alloy wheels, eZS badging, and even the charging port is neatly tucked away under the front grille.

Inside, too, the eZS is a lot like the standard ZS, but gets a panoramic sunroof and a large touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, among other things.

The eZS' electric motor can produce close to 150hp, and MG claims a 0-50kph time of just 3.1 seconds. The company also pegs the eZS' claimed range - at a constant speed of 60kph – at 428 kilometres. The range on a single charge as per the NEDC cycle is 335 kilometres.

MG is likely to bring the electric ZS as a CKD and locally assemble the model in order to keep costs in check. The interesting bit here is that the brand may even assemble the battery for the EV in India.

While the battery cell will be imported from China, parent company SAIC has joined hands with one of the world’s largest makers of lithium-ion batteries, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), who will help them assemble the battery module in our market.

There is no confirmation yet on a launch date, but expect the eZS SUV to go on sale around late 2019. Before that, MG will launch its first SUV earlier in 2019, and will commence its India innings with a total of 45 dealers.