Page 49 - Motoring World (January 2020)

BURNING QUESTION

Does the MG ZS EV set a strong
benchmark for a future sans fossil fuels?

Text Aadil Naik
Photographs Kaizad Adil Darukhanawala

I don’t think ‘EVs have arrived’, prominent chrome grille looks cool, length of the car ending in a haunch
irrespective of how much the but the rest of the front is relatively over the rear wheel. But what
government is trying to push smooth. The charging port hides catches your eye is the huge sticker
policies. I spent two weeks with the under the large MG logo and is above the front wheel, proclaiming
Hyundai Kona and realised there are accessed by the panel swinging ‘electric’. MG wants to make sure
a bunch of fundamental questions upwards and away from the car. absolutely no literate individual
that still need to be answered. Unfortunately, this is a design mistakes this for a gasoline-powered
One thing’s for certain, though, oversight, as in the open position it vehicle. With a sticker bigger than
manufacturers that are getting on obstructs visibility to the port itself, my palm, I think that box is well
the EV-train here are going down the making it a cumbersome affair trying and truly checked. Does the MG ZS
‘aspirational product’ route, instead to line up the charging cable without EV look uniquely electric? No. But it
of the ‘affordable’ one. I guess time getting down on your knees. looks handsome and elegant, and I
will tell if it’s the right approach, but The headlights are inspired by can live with that.
for now, we have a new entrant — the London Eye, and if you look at Things are a little more hit-or-
the MG ZS EV. And it has its task it in just the right angle, you can miss inside; 80 per cent of the front
cut out, from trying to be a good car see the resemblance. The 17-inch cabin is covered with soft-touch
first (EV or not) and then reducing alloy wheels are modelled after materials. That feels nice. But then
all electric-associated anxieties. windmills, keeping with the theme the buttons on the instrument
On the face of it, the MG ZS of sustainability and zero emissions. cluster and steering wheel feel cheap
EV isn’t visually radical. Sure, the And there is a strong line along the and plasticky, and that isn’t very

JANUARY 2020 | MOTORING WORLD 49