MG ZS EV

Internationally, the MG eZS takes on the likes of the Kia Stonic, Citroen C3 Aircross and the Renault Captur. It even undercuts its rivals in terms of pricing and comes with an impressive equipment list that includes a rear-view camera, air-conditioning and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring, cruise control, sat-nav and leather interiors. However, for India, MG will bring in an all-electric version by December this year, and will also enlighten Indian customers about electric cars and the infrastructure needed to have them tread on our roads. It will be manufactured at the Halol plant in Gujarat. Keen enthusiasts have already spotted a couple of test mules, testing rigorously in our extreme climatic conditions. This model will be the second offering for the Indian market, after the Hector.

Design-wise, the eZS looks quite cute and attractive. The sloping bonnet looks nice; so does the protruding chrome grille with knife-shaped headlamps connecting it on either sides - very similar to what you'll see on today's Mazdas. The side profile is pretty sharp too with those five-spoke alloy wheels, while the rear sports a pair of stylish tail lamps and a faux skid plate on the lower half of the bumper. On the inside, buyers can expect good levels of fit and finish; there's also a four-way manually adjustable driver's seat. A responsive 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen should find its way on to the model. For India, the model will come with a large panoramic sunroof and the brand's iSmart Next-Gen technology, an industry-first, embedded M2M with Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPV6) ready for 5G, first seen on the Hector.

Mounted in the front of the car is a 147bhp electric motor that has a range of 431km, as per the NEDC cycle. The battery will receive a charge of up to 80% in just 30 minutes, with the help of a fast charger. When launched by the end of this year, it will take on the upcoming Hyundai Kona electric SUV, which is scheduled for a July, 2019 launch.