MG ZS EV

Placed beneath the floor of the ZS is a high-density 44.5kWh battery pack which powers a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor mounted on the front axle. This motor has an output of 148bhp and 353Nm and has a claimed 0-100kmph time of 8.5 seconds. More importantly, the claimed range is 340km on a single charge while the battery pack can be charged to 80 per cent in 40 minutes with a 50kW DC fast charger. On the other hand, the 7kW charger that MG is giving out for free to its customers takes around seven hours to charge the vehicle fully. There’s also a 50amp charger provided with the ZS, and to charge it with this portable charger, you’ll need more than 15 hours. And contrary to popular belief, charging the ZS EV isn’t a matter of rocket science either. It is as simple as the plug-and-play you do for charging your mobile phones.

Turning on the switch, you only get a ‘ready’ indication on the MID and the right dial sits on zero-mark suggesting that the car is ready to go. Turn the gear knob to drive and lift off the brake and the ZS EV moves along just like any other vehicle. Even when you get on the throttle gently, the SUV starts picking up pace gradually. It is only when you smash the throttle that you get the instant torque smashing you in the seat. Otherwise, the proceeding is smooth and effortless with little to no motor whine heard inside the cabin. But, get even slightly zealous off the mark, and you could spin the front wheels unnecessarily.

Driving in the city is pretty easy as you can drive around effortlessly. It only needs correct input from the right foot and the ZS EV responds instantaneously. This response is so quick, that you (along with other road users) will need to recalibrate your brain for new driving dynamics. Out on the highway, keeping the ZS EV at three-digit speeds is easy but you do see the range counter plummet much more quickly than expected. You get regenerative braking (or KERS) and there are three levels for it with each level providing a different amount of regeneration. This regeneration should suffice in city driving, but might not be helpful for long drives on the highways.

Then there are three driving modes – Eco, Normal, and Sport. Altering the modes allow for a different level of response from the throttle. Also altered is the steering response which is very light in Eco mode and weighs up in Sport. However, we think that the Normal mode should be enough for your day-to-day driving. Whichever mode you are in, the steering response is direct and exudes impressive feedback. Coming to the ride, it is remarkably plush on smoother surfaces. Every bump and irregularity are taken astride with ease and on the bad road, the SUV managed to absorb everything we threw its way without sending a jolt inside the cabin. Riding on Michelin Primacy 3ST tyres, you can occasionally hear road noises but you can surely live with it since it is far quieter than a conventional car, mind you.