The MG Windsor electric vehicle (EV) was launched in India on Wednesday. The British automaker says the Windsor EV is its first “smart CUV” or crossover utility vehicle. Its name is inspired by the Windsor Castle in the United Kingdom. Built on the company’s “Pure EV” platform, it is a revised version of the Wuling Cloud EV, which is sold in Indonesia and other markets, and boasts of a range of up to 331 km, Aero Lounge seats, Infinity View glass roof, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered voice commands and over 80 connected features using i-SMART technology.
It is the first vehicle launched since JSW MG Motor India was founded as a joint venture between India’s JSW Group and China’s SAIC Motor. It joins the MG ZS EV and Comet EV as the company’s electric vehicles.
MG Windsor EV Price in India
The MG Windsor EV price in India starts at Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom). However, the company claims that this is just an introductory price. Pre-bookings have been initiated and the exclusive test drive of the vehicle will begin on September 26. Bookings for the MG Windsor EV will begin on October 3.
It is offered in three variants — Excite, Exclusive and Essence — and four colours — Starburst Black, Pearl White, Clay Beige and Turquoise Green. Along with the launch of the Windsor EV, MG also introduced the Battery as a Service (BaaS) ownership programme, which eliminates the upfront cost of the battery, allowing the buyer to pay only for its usage. The programme starts from Rs 3.50 per kilometre for the battery.
The first MG Windsor EV owners will benefit from a lifetime battery warranty. The company is also offering one year of free public charging via the eHUB by MG app. MG Windsor EV owners can also take advantage of a 3-60 month guaranteed buyback plan, which is designed to help the vehicle retain 60 per cent of its value for up to three years or 45,000 kilometres – whichever comes first.
MG Windsor EV Project
According to the company, MG Windsor EV is a CUV, despite having an AeroGlide design resembling a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). It can be seen as a cross between a sedan and a sport utility vehicle (SUV), borrowing selected elements from both platforms. In terms of dimensions, it measures 4,295 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width, and 1,677 mm in height. The EV has a wheelbase of 2,700 mm, which could potentially provide more room for rear passengers compared to the MG ZS EV.
In terms of design, the Windsor EV gets 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), vertically stacked LED headlamps and taillamps, an integrated spoiler and flush door handles. An illuminated MG logo is placed at the front next to the charging port. Inspired by the Wuling Cloud EV, MG’s latest EV in India also gets a glass roof that the company calls ‘Infinity View’.
Features of the MG Windsor EV
The Windsor EV has a cabin with Knight Black interiors that is equipped with several features such as 135-degree multi-adjustable reclining seats (or Aero Lounge), ambient lighting with 256 color options, a digital driver display, and a 15.6-inch main infotainment screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay support. Other interior features include a 9-way speaker system and rear AC vents.
The Windsor EV has a five-seat configuration, the rear seats can be reclined in a 60:40 split, the boot has a capacity of 604 litres and the tailgate opens electrically.
An electric vehicle with over 80 connected car features, such as a Bluetooth digital key, using the company’s i-SMART technology. Users can share their keys with others via their smartphone, eliminating the need to physically hand over a key to drive the vehicle. Powered by AI, it also accepts voice commands.
MG Windsor EV Drivetrain, Battery and Safety
MG says the Windsor EV is powered by a single permanent magnet synchronous electric motor mounted on the front axle that produces 134 hp and 200 Nm of torque. However, the company did not reveal its top speed. This is enabled by a 38-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, which is similar to the battery technology used in the MG ZS EV. It is claimed to provide a range of up to 331 kilometers on a single charge.
For safety, the MG Windsor EV is equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) Level 2 and a 360-degree camera. It also has six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), an electronic parking brake with auto-hold and disc brakes, and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) as standard.