New Spyshots Of MG Windsor Surface: 50 kWh Version!
JSW-MG Motor has been spied testing the Windsor EV, leading to speculation that the automaker is prepping up a 50 kWh battery version of the best selling electric car for the Indian market. Such a version already exists in Indonesia, where the MG Windsor sells as the Wuling Cloud EV. Adding a bigger battery pack to the MG Windsor will boost highway range greatly, and make the EV a great buy for those looking for that additional range.
Spyshots courtesy Team-BHP
JSW-MG Motor is expected to reveal the extended range version of the Windsor EV at the Bharat Mobility Expo, slated for January 2025. In terms of pricing, the 50 kWh version is expected to be about a lakh pricier than the 38 kWh model.
Competition in the Indian EV space is heating up, and in January 2025, there will be a slew of new electric cars launched. A Windsor with a bigger battery pack should help JSW-MG maintain the EV’s leadership position in sales.
CarToq sources reveal that JSW MG Motor are working on a long range Windsor EV, which will soon be the new top-of-the-line variant. The long range Windsor will have a 50 kWh battery pack – a big step up from the 38 kWh battery that the electric crossover currently comes with in the Indian market. The bigger battery pack will give the MG Windsor EV a range of about 460 Kms on the ARAI MIDC (1+2) cycle.
A real world range of about 300 kilometers is what the Windsor EV with the bigger battery pack can be safely expected to do. In terms of pricing, the MG Windsor EV long range variants are expected to about 1-1.2 lakh rupees pricier than the 38 kWh model, making them a compelling option, especially for those seeking a highway worthy vehicle that can do intercity trips. Battery lease options (BAAS or Battery As A Service) will also be available for the bigger battery pack.
In fact, the 50 kWh battery pack for the Windsor EV is already available in the Indonesian market, where the car sells under the Wuling Cloud nameplate. So, it came somewhat as a surprise when JSW MG Motor launched the Windsor EV with the smaller battery pack in India. Now that we know JSW MG Motor’s price strategy for the Windsor, it’s clear that the smaller battery pack equipped Windsor was launched here to make a big splash and stun the Indian market.
The Windsor has carved out a place for itself by becoming India’s best selling electric car, and the logical next step would be to solidify its position by offering a longer range. This move will make the Windsor EV appeal to a wider cross section of buyers, including cab operators.
Although JSW MG Motor has been saying that the Windsor won’t be sold in the taxi market, we have learnt that electric mobility cab aggregators are already in talks with the company to induct the Windsor into EV taxi fleets across the country. The long range Windsor is what JSW MG Motor will supply electric cab aggregators.
When’s it coming?
The MG Windsor EV with the 50 kWh battery pack is likely to be launched in the first half of 2025, a time when a slew of electric cars are set to hit the Indian market. January 2025 will see the launch of the Hyundai Creta EV and also the Maruti Suzuki eVitara. The Tata Harrier EV is also ready for launch, and Mahindra is all set to launch the BE 6e and XEV 9e ‘born electric’ EVs later today. Clearly, competition in the EV market is heating up, and JSW MG Motor can’t pull any punches.
No ADAS though!
While the Windsor sold abroad (Wuling Cloud) gets ADAS, JSW MG Motor have decided against offering ADAS on the India-spec model. So, until a mid cycle facelift happens, ADAS is unlikely to be offered on the India-spec Windsor.
We learn that this move is meant to differentiate the Windsor from the pricier MG ZS electric SUV, especially given the impending launch of the long-range 50 kWH model. The MG ZS also offers a 50.3 kWh battery pack, and a real world range of about 300 Kms.
Also, it’s got more equipment than the Windsor, and this aspect will remain unchanged to ensure maximum differentiation. So, if you want more equipment and premium fit and finish levels, buy the MG ZS, and if you want value-for-money and a cavernous cabin, opt for MG Windsor.