MG Motor India has announced the upcoming launch of its compact electric vehicle (EV), which will be called the Comet. The new model is based on sister brand Wuling’s Air EV and is already being sold in Indonesia. However, the Comet will be the first India-spec model of the same to be revealed by MG.
The MG Comet will measure just 2.9 meters in length and feature a three-door, four-seater design. This will make it the smallest four-wheeler on sale in India.
Despite its small size, the vehicle’s electric skateboard architecture, relatively long 2,010mm wheelbase, and boxy shape will make it space-efficient.
The exterior design of the Comet EV includes a two-tone finish for the front fascia, a tall and stubby nose, and a wraparound strip under the windscreen with LED lighting elements that end in the wing mirrors.
MG’s Hector and Gloster SUVs are also named after World War II-era British airplanes. And so is the Comet.
Not a tiny EV, a cool EV!
Inside the vehicle, the MG Comet will be feature-packed. A dual-screen infotainment set-up made up of two 10.25-inch screens is expected, as well as other premium features such as connected car tech, dual-tone interiors with quality materials, voice commands, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and possibly even a sunroof. However, MG has not yet revealed any interior images.
And this is the trick up MG’s sleeve. Unlike the Tata Nano which was launched in India positioned as a cheap car, the MG Comet will not be cheap or basic. Instead, MG will try to make it desirable and maybe even premium!
MG Comet EV battery and driving range
The Comet EV is expected to be powered by a battery of around 20-25kWh capacity, which will be locally sourced from Tata AutoComp. It will give the Comet EV a driving range of up to 300km that will likely be certified by iCAT, just like MG’s other electric car, the ZS EV. The Comet is expected to be powered by a single, front-axle motor with a power output of around 50kW (68hp).
MG plans to give the Comet over 60% localisation to make it as competitive as possible. The car will be priced upwards of Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom) and positioned as a premium intra-city runabout. The vehicle is expected to hit the market around mid-2023 and compete with the likes of the Tata Tiago EV and the recently launched Citroen eC3 in the electric hatchback segment.
The Comet EV will be assembled in India and will be offered in five colours, including White, Blue, Green, Yellow, and Pink.
MG Motor India is a subsidiary of the Chinese automotive giant SAIC Motor Corporation Limited, and it is headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana, India. The company made its debut in the Indian market in 2019 with the launch of the MG Hector SUV, which has since been followed by the launch of other popular models like the MG ZS EV and the MG Gloster SUV.
