MG Windsor EV: In the fast evolving electric vehicle market of India, the MG Windsor EV still has a place of its own with its futuristic look and modern technology.
Debuting as MG Motor India’s third electric product, the Windsor EV fills the middle ground between the compact Comet EV and the higher up ZS EV.
What really makes this car quite unique is its clever mix of MPV-like practicality with Crossover style cues to create what MG terms a Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV).
MG Windsor EV Design That Turns Heads
Design Despite not quite fitting into any traditional category – is it an extended mpv perhaps? – the Windsor EV is a real head-turner that certain to draw attention.
Not a regular SUV, and definitely not a typical hatchback design — the S-Cross makes a strong visual stand on Indian roads.
The front also gets a bold LED light bar right across that is accompanied by a split headlight arrangement that gets the main projector headlights positioned lower on the bumper and the LED DRLs get placed above them.
The prominent swing-o-meter looking MG badge on the bonnet is a style statement and is surely one that couldn’t be present on the road at night too much; MG logo awash in light and colour looks fabulous up close.
Its svelte form is particularly sleek, and flush-fitting door handles jump out when in use and retract while driving – not only is this good for those looks, it is also good for the Cd figure. The Windsor can be had on 18-inch alloy wheels (also standard at higher trim levels), too, which fill the arches more than convincingly.
The rear mirrors the design of the front with a second full-width LED light bar that forms a unified light signature. Sculpted by the wind, the rear profile is distinguished by the L-shaped LED taillights and an integrated spoiler that further accentuate the aerodynamic design.
This length (although squatter than far from most mid-size SUVs) is countered by an impressive 1,850mm width, which makes it look like it should have more presence and stance on the road.
Cabin of the Future
Enter, the Windsor EV and you’ve got a veritable tech-fest that has a wonderfully premium feel to the cabin. The dash layout is also best described as minimalist with cool straight lines and nice implementation of the digital displays.
Biggest of all is a 15.6-inch flat touchscreen, which takes pride of place in the centre console. This “Grandview Touchscreen” is as crystal clear as your iPhone and is the central command center for nearly everything in the vehicle.
Adding to this is an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, giving just the information drivers need with a customizable display. The 2 spoke steering wheel with controls attached looks and feels modern, and it fits perfectly with the futuristic cabin theme. The tone of the interior is “Knight Black” with “Royal Touch Gold” highlights that help soften an otherwise tech-looking atmosphere.
The rear seating – or, rather, the Aero-Lounge – is what has everyone talking. These seats can recline up to 135 degrees, giving rear passengers a business class-like experience.
Legroom is particularly generous due to the model’s 2,700mm wheelbase, in turn made possible by the compactness of the dedicated EV platform.
Overhead the passengers is an “Infinity View Glass Roof” that brings natural light to every corner of the cabin. And it’s not a standard sunroof but thanks to this panoramic glass area the interior feels bright and spacious. The ambient lighting technology allows a choice of 64 colors for personalized cabin illumination.
Technological Marvel
Windsor EV’s tech capabilities aren’t confined to how it looks. The infotainment system is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to easily integrate your smartphone. Owners can track and enable a variety of vehicle actions using dedicated smartphone software.
And there are ventilated seats that their occupants swear by on hot summer days. A 6-way electrically adjustable seat offers the driver even more comfort. Climate control is governed by a physical control panel – a considered concession to pragmatism amid a predominantly digital interface.
Sound reproduction is provided by a high-end 9-speaker Infinity tuned audio system, which offers a powerful sonic experience. Charging the device The Windsor EV includes both a wireless charging pad and regular USB ports for device charging, however the placement of the charging sockets within the front console storage compartment could be in a better positioned location, as some users point out.
Given all that, the most exciting stuff for techies is the Windsor’s pre-loaded app store (auto updates itself), which also offers a range of apps for different categories like OTT streaming and music. It’s this feature that turns the car into a mobile entertainment center when parked – so useful when you’re stopping for a battery top-up.
Electrifying Performance
One electric motor drives the Windsor EV, it provides a decent output of 134bhp and 200Nm of torque. The front-wheel-drive system provides energetic, punchy performance, which is particularly beneficial around town, with fast acceleration away from lights and good agility. Its adequate zing can, in part, be attributed to the WET’s immediate torque delivery; the Windsor feels perky even in such a heavy car.
The drivers can select the driving modes from Normal, Eco, Eco+ and Sport, thus adjusting their preferences for efficiency or performance based on the driving conditions at hand.
At its most sporty, the Windsor EV provides more-than-sufficient sprinting ability, and is comparable to the middling gas guzzlers in its class.
The current Windsor EV is fitted with a 38kWh battery pack, offering 331km of range on paper (with real-world figures sitting more around 250-260km in mixed driving).
It charges via DC and will do so up to 45 kW so you could charge it from 0-80% in about 55 minutes. When using a typical 7.4kW AC charger, a full charge requires about 6.5hours, so home charging overnight is convenient.
Practical Intelligence
Though it’s technology- and style-heavy, the Windsor EV isn’t lacking in functionality. The flexible boot has up to 604 litres of carrying capacity with a false floor, more than enough to carry a few suitcases and other bags. Smart storage solutions abound inside the cabin, including multiple cup holders for all passengers and a large center console.
Safety Six airbags come standard – dual front airbags, front seat side-impact airbags and side-curtain airbags Drivers benefit from Electronic Stability Control (ESC), hill hold control, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and an electronic parking brake with auto-hold feature. Parking inputs are truncated by a 360-degree camera system, which is helpful, as the 202.4-inch wide coupe is not small.
The Windsor EV is built on an electric-vehicle focused platform, and that brings inherent space and structural benefits. This ‘born EV’ platform has allowed MG’s engineers to make maximum use of weight distribution and battery location to provide better ride and handling. Despite its kerb weight of 1,566kg, the car feels solid and well planted at freeway speed, and the steering adds load as velocity increases.
Position in the market and outlook for the future
Priced at ¢14-16 lakh ex-showroom, the Windsor EV is emerging as a value proposition in the Indian EV market. Its key rivals currently include the Tata Nexon EV, Mahindra XUV400, and the upcoming Tata Curvv EV, although it brings a rather different package to the table with its crossover-meets-MPV formula.
Windsor EV has already seen tremendous response from customers with over 20k orders in just 6 months of its launch. This quick market acceptance of the Treo marks the Indo EV space’s increasing maturity and consumers’ willingness to adopt new vehicle concepts as long as they offer demonstrable value.
Looking ahead, a revised model of the Windsor EV – with technology that allows the car to provide power to external appliances, called Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) – has already been seen testing under the MG badge.
If reports are to be believed, the claimed range too could improve with a larger 50.6kWh battery pack option being rumoured to be on its way which could stretch the claimed range to beyond 450km. The Windsor’s long list of technology display a varying range of capabilities indicates that advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) may also be included.
MG Windsor EV Conclusion
The MG Windsor EV concept is a forward-thinking vison of personal urban mobility in the electric age. Combining pioneering design, workable technology, impressive space and comfort with class-leading driving dynamics and an affordable price, the ZS acts as a brilliant package for tech-desiring motorists looking for the transition to an EV to be as smooth as possible.
It is not so much the individual features but the joining of dots—a well-considered vehicle to meet the real-life needs of a contemporary Indian family, that sets the Windsor apart.
From the cozy Aero-Lounge seating and smart infotainment to thoughtful charging solutions, the Windsor EV proves its designer and manufacturer really get how consumers use their cars in everyday life.
Living up to latest trends While the EV space in India is still maturing, the Windsor EV strengthens the fact that buyers will not have to make a compromise on style, technology or practicality to opt for electric.
With rational pricing and a compelling feature set not to mention unique positioning in the market, the Windsor isn’t just part of the EV revolution, it’s setting the standard for what consumers demand from EVs over the next decade.