By T Murrali

MG Motors, owned by SAIC (formerly Shanghai Auto Industrial Corporation), has launched its pure Electric Vehicle (EV) MG ZS in the international market to recreate a ‘new hot spot’ for its global strategy. This strategy is based on the success of its first new energy vehicle MG 6 that has won good market feedback and reputation. As part of its plan to target those who would like to have all the benefits of a zero emission vehicle without compromising on style MG Motors India has unveiled MG ZS EV, its global SUV.

Under the guidance of SAIC Group’s new four-fold strategies of ‘electrification, intelligent networking, sharing, and internationalization,’ MG has been leading the trend in the field of fuel vehicles, and its new energy vehicles to attract young people. Equipped with the world-class ‘Net Green’ power and SAIC’s leading system of electric drive, battery, and electric control, MG ZS pure electric vehicle boasts of a constant velocity range of up to 428km. 

Moreover, the latest generation of ‘intelligent interconnection’ system and the exclusive colour of new energy will provide a better and trendier choice for the global market where the demand for pure electric vehicles is increasing. The new EV uses MG’s new kansei (emotional) design to make its shape more modern; it has also introduced the exclusive colour of new energy, making it more attractive. The vehicle is equipped with a panoramic sunroof, luggage rack and other configurations.

Not compromising on aesthetics the vehicle has an appreciable build quality that can thrill with its performance and is powered by i-Smart. Assembled at its plant in Halol, Gujarat, the new electric SUV is 4,314 mm long, 1,809 mm wide and stands 1,620 mm tall while the wheelbase is 2,579 mm. It is touted to be the first pure electric internet SUV with a clean, efficient and fast powertrain.

“As an enabler and catalyst for India’s EV revolution, MG Motor India is creating a strong, end-to-end electric vehicle ecosystem in association with leading players in the sustainable energy domain. A truly global and best-in-class EV SUV, the ZS EV has already registered significant success in more than 10 international markets such as the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. It has also been extensively tested for India-specific requirements. We hope that it will recreate its success in India, thanks to the strong EV ecosystem that we are putting in place. We will evaluate opportunities to further expand this ecosystem to more markets across India, based on customer response,” Rajeev Chaba, President and Managing Director, MG Motor India, said.

The Collaborators

Understanding the importance of leveraging expertise of global majors to offer cost competitive solution to customers, MG Motors has collaborated with world leaders such as CATL, UAES, Bosch, Infineon, Exicom, Umicore and Fortum.  

The China-based battery and technology company CATL, specializes in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries for EVs, energy storage systems, and battery management systems. UAES is the power electronics solutions provider, and Bosch and Infineon offer software and other support. Exicom helps in second-life use of batteries, and Umicore ensures safe and sustainable recycling of end-of-life batteries.

The collaboration with Fortum India is to set up a 50 kW DC fast charging infrastructure. It has installed such fast public charging stations for EVs across MG’s showrooms in Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. Over the next 5 years Fortum plans to have one charging facility every 5 km in major metro cities and every 25 km on the highways.

Exterior And Interior

Inspired by the majestic London Eye, true to its British genes, the headlamps give the MG ZS EV a powerful persona, the kind which makes the EV stand out in the crowd. It complements the aesthetics of the grille, which connotes the magnetic fields between celestial bodies, and brings out the glam quotient. The deep concave grille is supplemented with enough chrome to get the bling on.

The tail lights depict the plough, also called the big dipper. They are inspired by the seven brightest stars of the constellation, Ursa Major, which is the largest northern constellation and third largest constellation in the sky. The side design depicts the phantom that flies through the corners. The panoramic sky roof covers 90 percent of the roof bringing in natural light. It’s like having the sky as a companion on every journey.

In the interior, the ZS comes with an updated version of the Hector’s infotainment system dubbed, iSmart EV 2.0. It has an embedded SIM card for internet connectivity and also has the ability to connect to an external home Wi-Fi network or mobile hotspot. The iSmart EV 2.0 features real-time maps with charging station locator from TomTom, music from Gaana app and weather by Accuweather. The updated system also gets a new graphic interface and improved hardware over the Hector’s iSmart system. 

The system offers over 60 connected car features including Range alerts, Battery status, Eco-friendly updates, Remote vehicle control (for AC on/off, door lock/unlock, light flashing and honking) E-Call (self-initiated emergency call sends a message and location to the 24/7 pulse hub if airbags are deployed), I-Call (get a call from the MG pulse hub for general assistance or road side assistance at the touch of the i-Call button), Geofencing, Navigation, Smart Drive (driver analytics-harsh braking, running idle, routes taken etc. to improve driving skills) and Security Alert (get alerts on the app in case of abnormal door opening, over speed etc.)

The vehicle has a CO2 saver feature which displays the amount of carbon-dioxide the owners save in real-time. MG ZS air-conditioning unit comes fitted with particulate matter 2.5 air filters to provide fresh and healthy air inside the cabin, thus maintaining healthy Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). It can bring bad air quality level of up to 300 AQI down to regular levels in just 35 minutes.

The vehicle is equipped with 3D surround effect, which enhances the driving experience with audible navigation assistance and provides close-to-ear experience.  

The MG ZS EV gets an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. It is equipped with a visually delightful screen that gives all the information at a single glance and allows the driver to manage complete vehicle settings with just a touch. MG ZS can get new software over the air.

Safety

As safety is key, the MG ZS comes with European Standards such as European E-MARK, European REACH (environmental standards in the car) and European E-NCAP (safety standard design). In terms of safety the vehicle has 6 airbags, which include dual front airbags, front-seat side-impact airbags, and side-curtain airbags that work together with the seatbelts. It is adequately armoured to save the lives of the occupants.

The EV has auto headlamps to mitigate heavy overcast skies or an enclosure, such as a parking garage. In the case of cruise control, it doesn’t let the driver lose control over the speed. Instead it lets the driver to set a speed limit, and it will handle the throttle accordingly.

The SUV is equipped with an electric parking brake to ensure it is held safely when brakes are suddenly pressed. The electronic gear shift knob gives a complete sense of control over gear shifts. The reverse parking-assist system helps the driver to sense when objects are in the vehicle’s blind spot, thus help prevent accidents which may be caused due to difficulty in reverse parking. The hill descent control system helps the user enjoy the mountains as much as the highways. It prevents rollback on a slope when the brake is released and switched to the accelerator pedal. Besides, it had TPMS to get real-time information about the tyre pressure through a pictogram display. Heated OVRM is part of the standard equipment to clear the fog and ice on the side view mirror, thereby ensuring visibility at all times.

The Battery

The ultra-high density 44.5 kWh battery makes the vehicle to zip 0-100 kmph in 8.5 seconds. It helps deliver maximum power of 142.7 PS, maximum torque of 353 Nm. The liquid-cooled NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) battery from CATL, gives the car a travel range of 340 km on a full charge. It comes with a kinetic energy reverse system, which stores the extra generated power for later use.

The battery of ZS complies with IP67 and UL 2580 - standards for safety that cover waterproof, dustproof, collision monitoring, electromagnetic shielding, insulation monitoring, high voltage interlock, overload protection, short circuit, intrusion, smoke, soaks, fire and fall.

Charging System

The MG ZS EV is equipped with CCS Type-2 European standard connector and is able to rapid charge from public chargers and also comes equipped with an AC slow charger. The lithium-ion battery can be charged through four options. AC Fast Charger that is provided and installed by MG Motor India at home or office, free of cost. With this 80 percent of charging is done in 6-8 hours. The portable charger that comes with every car can be plugged into any 15A socket. The batteries can be charged up to 80 percent n 16-18 hours. DC superfast chargers that are available at MG dealerships 24x7 can charge the batteries up to 80 percent within 50 minutes. Besides, the vehicle maker is also planning to set up AC Fast Chargers at MG dealerships along key routes in satellite cities. In an emergency, road side assistance for mobile charging support is offered 24x7. The MG logo in the vehicle glows to indicate that the SUV is getting charged. Glowing stops, once the charging is complete.

MG ZS EV comes with three driving modes: Sport, for accelerated driving and a thrilling drive experience; Normal, for balanced range and driving performance; and Eco, for efficient driving to maximize range. (MT)

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Mumbai-headquartered SUV major Mahindra & Mahindra has upgraded its popular offering, the Scorpio-N Z8L variant, with Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) tech.

This will see the Scorpio-N Z8L variant coming with Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Smart Pilot Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition and High Beam Assist features.

The ADAS tech will further enhance safety quotient for the Scorpion-N with exclusive features such as Speed Limit Assist and Front Vehicle Start Alert, marking a first for Mahindra ICE SUVs.

Furthermore, the company has also expanded the Scorpio-N line-up with the introduction of the Z8T variant at INR 2.02 million. The new variant will sit between the Z8 and Z8L variants. It comes with a compelling mix of premium features, including R18 diamond-cut alloy wheels, a 12-speaker Sony-branded audio system, front camera, front parking sensors, 6-way powered driver seat, electronic parking brake (EPB), ventilated front seats and an auto-dimming IRVM.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has achieved a new milestone in its aftersales service. The company recorded servicing (free and paid) over 2.45 million vehicles in May, the highest in a single month in its history.

The feat was achieved through the company’s vast network of over 5,400 service touchpoints.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “This is the first time in the company’s history that we have serviced over 24.5 lakh vehicles in a month, an achievement that reflects scale, depth, and efficiency of the service network. It is a result of the tireless efforts of our service teams and dealer partners across the country.”

“Good quality aftersales service is critical to maintain vehicle health, leading to a delightful car ownership experience and strengthen customer retention. Even before we started mass sales of vehicles in India, our focus was on building a robust service network, a foundation that continues to support us as we expand our business further. Going forward, we aim to expand our service touchpoints to 8,000 by FY 2030-31 and introduce innovative formats to cater to the requirements of diverse customer needs. This will help in our EV launch as well. We are preparing 1,500 EV enabled service workshops covering over 1,000 cities with specially trained manpower and special equipment to extend all EV related support to our customers,” he said.

Maruti Suzuki India has through its dealer partners introduced several innovative and industry-first service formats, to address the smallest query to full-car service needs ranging from traditional brick-and-mortar workshops to mobile workshops. Over the years, it has also created a dedicated Quick Response Team (QRT) to provide emergency on-road assistance across the country.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Mercedes-Benz India, the German luxury car brand, has announced a significant organisational change, effective from 1 August 2025, with the appointment of Brendon Sissing as the new Vice-President of Sales and Marketing. He will take over from Lance Bennett, who has moved to Mercedes-Benz Middle East as their Chief Financial Officer.

Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, "We are excited to welcome Brendon Sissing as the Head of Sales & Marketing for Mercedes-Benz India. Brendon takes over the responsibility from Lance Bennett, who has joined Mercedes-Benz Middle East as the CFO. Brendon brings rich experience from the world of financing and insurance, as he successfully steered Mercedes-Benz Financial Service India, doubling its portfolio, driving record profit and business transformation, while elevating the integrated customer journey. We are confident Brendon will continue the growth momentum of Mercedes-Benz in this highly diverse and dynamic Indian luxury car market. We thank Lance for his immense contribution and wish them both, the very best in their respective new roles."

Brendon Sissing previously served as the Head of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services India, where he was instrumental in doubling the company's portfolio and achieving record profits. He is recognised for his strong advocacy of digital transformation and risk management, leveraging his expertise in credit risk to drive operational excellence. He has extensive experience within the Mercedes-Benz group, having worked with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and Mercedes-Benz South Africa, leading Credit Operations in both markets. He also held roles in Credit Underwriting and Key Accounts at Daimler Mobility, Stuttgart, before joining Mercedes-Benz Financial Services India in 2022.

The German brand stated that under Sissing's leadership, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services India significantly enhanced customer journeys through integrated online and offline platforms. He is also noted for his passion for coaching and mentoring, fostering high-performing team environments. Sissing holds a B. Tech degree in Cost & Management Accounting from Technikon Pretoria, South Africa and a Diploma in Credit Management from the Institute of Credit Management. He is also a founding member of Mercedes-Benz Services Malaysia, established in 2012.

A South African national, Sissing has worked in various international locations, including Malaysia, South Africa, Germany and India.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Honda Cars India has launched a new variant of its popular mid-size sedan, the Honda City Sport, adding a dynamic and youthful edge to the City line-up. Priced at INR 1.48 million (ex-showroom, Delhi), the City Sport is positioned as a limited-edition offering designed to appeal to style-conscious, spirited drivers.

The new variant will be exclusively available with a CVT automatic transmission and is offered in three colour options — Radiant Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, and Meteoroid Gray Metallic.

Sporting a blacked-out exterior theme, the car features a Sporty Black Grille, Glossy Black Shark Fin Antenna, Trunk Lip Spoiler and multi-spoke grey alloy wheels. Inside, the cabin gets an all-black treatment with red stitching, leather seats and ambient lighting for a premium, performance-inspired feel.

Under the hood, it retains the 1.5L i-VTEC petrol engine, delivering 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque, with a claimed fuel efficiency of 18.4 kmpl. The model also comes equipped with Honda Sensing, the brand’s advanced driver assistance suite.

Kunal Behl, Vice-President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India, said, “The new City Sport has been crafted to meet the aspirations of young buyers who value individuality and a spirited driving experience. It embodies a perfect blend of sporty exterior and interior style, fun to drive performance and the everyday usability that Honda City is known for, at a price that makes it even more compelling.”

The City Sport is being positioned as a limited-unit, exclusive edition for customers seeking distinction in both design and driving dynamics.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!