MG Motor India has confirmed that it will expand its EV (electric vehicle) portfolio with a new model that will arrive in the next two years. The new MG electric car will be priced below Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom). Currently, the British carmaker sells MG ZS EV within the price range of Rs 20.99 lakh – Rs 24.18 lakh (ex-showroom). The carmaker managed to retail over 1300 units of the electric SUV last year.
Speaking to PTI, Rajeev Chaba, MG Motor India President and Managing Director, said that the company is planning to introduce “more electric cars in the future” and its second EV in India will cost under Rs 20 lakh. Due to the second wave of Covid-19, the new MG electric car launch plan has been delayed by a few weeks. Considering the current situation and shortage of manufacturing materials (especially chips), the new MG electric car is likely to hit roads in two years.
As of now, the British carmaker has no plan to setup up a new manufacturing facility in the country. Currently, its focus is on full utilization of its Halol based plant that has production capacity of around 1 lakh units per annum. Talking about MG’s future plan, the company is gearing up to launch the petrol version of the ZS EV. Called MG Astor, the model is slated to launch in the third quarter of 2021 (i.e. October – December). Here, it will be placed against the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta and the soon-to-be-launched Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun.
While official engine details of the MG Astor are yet to be revealed, the SUV is likley to be offered with the 1.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol and 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine options. While the naturally-aspirated petrol unit will be capable to deliver power worth 120bhp and 150Nm of torque, the turbocharged motor will generation 163bhp of power and 230Nm of torque. It can be had with either a manual gearbox or an automatic transmission.
