With an aim to sell 1 Million EVs in India, MG has added the third pillar to its electric car lineup. The MG Windsor EV has been fine-tuned for the Indian market in more ways than one. While the product-specific updates aren’t immediately noticeable, the new EV is already making waves with its industry-first purchase plans. Offering ‘Battery-As-A-Service (BAAS)‘ for the first time to electric car customers, the Windsor’s arrival left everyone awing at the Rs 9.99 Lakh asking price. Yes, BAAS evoked mix reactions but we’ll have to give it to MG for its market-first approach. In fact, the clever pricing strategy has been executed so well that there’s more buzz on BAAS than the Windsor itself! I, for one, would like to focus more on the new EV. With that in mind, let me take you through my test drive experience of MG’s latest offering.
It’s Different!
The cab forward design (AeroGlide in MG’s marketing speak) of the Windsor catches attention, especially since its segment’s been all about B-SUVs. The borderline quirkiness notwithstanding, the new EV surely turns heads with its rather unconventional aesthetics. Its design philosophy seems to whisper, “I’m different but don’t fear my uniqueness.”
Up front, the winged badge on the donor car has made way for a bold MG insignia. But such minor discrepancies aside, there’s little to differentiate between the two versions. The biggest highlight of the front-end are the sleek LED fixtures. In its profile, the Windsor flaunts a clean silhouette that instantly reveals the XL footprint of the vehicle. The sloping roofline and the chunky 18-inch wheels lend added some jazz. The rear-end is my favourite part. The connected LED taillamps give the posterior a modern look, while the roof spoiler and the well-sculpted bumper make the car look more tasteful. All in all, the new EV won’t win any beauty pageants but it easily stands out with its modern, decidedly EVish aesthetics.
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Practical Meets Space Age
Step inside through the wide-opening doors and you’re greeted with an interior that amazes with its airiness. The dashboard is home to yet another highlight – the giant 15.6-inch Grandview touchscreen infotainment screen. The screen is responsive and runs MG’s latest infotainment system, which is intuitive and packed with features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in navigation. Personally, I feel that MG went a bit overboard with adding ORVM and headlight controls into the touch panel. One might get used to it in the long run but can’t we have conventional stocks/rotary controls? Pretty please! The 8.8-inch digital driver display offers plethora of information, including your battery status and range.
But once you’re over all the modern aids, you’ll find it hard to stop marvelling at the great practicality of the cabin. This is easily the most spacious car in the segment, regardless of what row you’re seated in. The gazillion cubby holes and storage spaces are a bonus. And let’s come to the next party trick – the ‘Business Class’ rear seats, which recline upto 135-degrees – That’s more than what some luxury cars offer! Combine this with the acres of legroom, and you won’t mind getting chauffeured around in this vehicle.
The boot space, at a massive 604-litres, is another pièce de résistance. To put things in perspective, the Tata Harrier offers 445-litres cargo-carrying capacity. The wireless smartphone charger, air purifier, huge moonroof, ambient lights, and Infiniti audio make the cabin all the more loveable. The cabin gets very close to ticking all the boxes, but ADAS is conspicuous by its absence. While it keeps costs under a check, the lack of autonomous features on a car stuffed with tech sticks out like a sore thumb.
A Smooth Operator
Now, let’s talk about the performance. Under the hood (or rather, under the floor), the MG Windsor EV is powered by a 38 kWh battery pack, which provides an ARAI-rated range of 332 km on a full charge. That’s competitive, but the real-world range can vary based on driving conditions, how much you’re pushing it, and your use of the climate controls. The electric motor churns out 136 PS and 200 Nm, enough for your daily commutes and even the highway runs. But you won’t get a ZS-like sense of urgency. The performance is adequate – we even managed a sub-10-seconds run to 100 km/h, but let’s just say the Windsor won’t take any traffic light GPs by storm.
But what you’ll certainly appreciate is the low NVH and the overall smoothness on offer. You get Eco, Normal and Sport driving modes but one is almost hard pressed to notice a sizeable difference in performance. The Sport mode certainly sharpens things up a bit, and the Eco mode optimises the range on offer, but the difference isn’t anything to write home about. The steering remains light at all speeds, which while a blessing in the urban mess, would be frowned upon at higher speeds. The tires are sufficiently grippy and the body-roll is nothing more than what you’d expect from a well-priced electric car tailor-made for family use. The ride gets a bit stiff at high speeds, but the suspension does a good job of soaking up all sorts of undulations whn driving at city specs.
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BAAS Model
Now, let’s get to one of the Windsor’s most unique selling points—Battery-as-a-Service (BAAS). MG has introduced this innovative scheme to make electric vehicles more accessible and even a tad more affordable. The idea is simple: you buy the car, but you don’t buy the battery outright. Instead, you subscribe to a monthly plan for the battery, which lowers the initial purchase cost of the car significantly. This is a game-changer for people who are hesitant about EVs due to the high upfront cost or concerns about battery longevity.
MG offers flexible subscription plans based on your driving habits, making the Windsor an affordable entry into the EV world. As for the car itself, the MG Windsor EV is priced starting from Rs 13.50 lakh (ex-showroom), but if you go for the BAAS plan, the upfront cost can be as low as Rs 9.99 lakh, making it one of the more affordable options in the electric car bazaar.
A Game Changer?
After driving around Gurgaon in the MG Windsor EV (and after spending enough time studying the elaborate pricing plans), it’s clear that this car ticks a lot of boxes for anyone looking to make the switch to electric. It’s stylish without being loud, comfortable without being overpriced, and packs enough power for your everyday driving. True, it’s not the most thrilling EV out there, but it offers a refined, smooth ride that’s perfect for city dwellers and commuters. While already a great package, what might actually change the market dynamics in MG’s favour is the BAAS scheme, which adds an extra layer of affordability and flexibility.
This not only makes the Windsor more accessible, but even makes it an attractive option for those who are on the fence about going electric. Overall, the MG Windsor EV is a well-rounded package. It’s certainly one of the most practical offerings in the price bracket, across ICE and EV segments. Seriously, what with that unbelievably spacious cabin brimming with all sorts of gizmos! And rounding off the already impressive package is the BAAS option, which looks poised to change the dynamics of the electric car market forever.
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