By : RACHNA TYAGI
GURUGRAM :
What JSW MG Motor India are doing with the Windsor EV is offering buyers a mid-sized CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) at the price of a compact SUV with features from a few segments above, and all of this at a price tag of INR 9.99 Lakhs (Base variant, sans the battery) with certain riders which begets the question “are you game?”
Take a look at it from outside, and you will agree that that this 4.3-meter CUV is a blob. However, the blob design, it must be noted, suits EVs just fine, at least more than the 3-box design, because of the placement of the battery pack which is bolted underneath it. And while you may or may not fancy the MPV-like design of the Windsor EV, what with that A-pillar almost swooping down to touch the bonnet, let me tell you that it does look absolutely stunning in certain dark colours. The connected LED light, both at the front and at the rear, that run from edge to edge, truly set the Windsor EV apart, as does the unique ‘AeroGlide’ design on the sides. And those flush door handles give the Windsor EV a contemporary touch and feel. The 18-inch diamond cut alloys stand out and overall, seem well-suited for the Windsor EV. Besides, it gets a 604-Litre boot which is sufficient for stashing more than a couple of bags there for a two-week long holiday, maybe even more, depending on your packing skills.
Inside the Windsor EV, what you get is a spacious cabin in grey wood and black quilted faux leather seats called ‘Aero Lounge Seats’ with dimples that actually look quite posh. The front gets ventilated seats whereas the rear seats come with a 135-degree recline function, making them super comfortable for the rear occupants. Not to mention the Windsor EV also makes ample use of soft touch materials… which we absolutely love because it is in details like these that owning a vehicle even years later, continues to bring joy to its owners. There is a large 15.6-inch GRANDVIEW touch display (powered by Jio) in a horizontal layout that gets a very slick user interface and a host of other apps for all your entertainment, gaming and learning purposes, (including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) that truly would make owning the Windsor EV a rather rational experience not just for you but also for your family. There is also an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster that further simplifies driving by bringing driver-related info up on the cluster’s display for the driver. Besides, there is also a nine-speakers audio system by Infinity for your listening pleasure, which we really enjoyed during our drive. The other bit that we truly liked on the Windsor EV were the numerous storage options, such as the space in the center arm rest, or below the HVAC buttons, (which by the way are physical buttons with toggle switches for increasing or decreasing the fan speeds and the temperature), the three cup holder between the driver and co-passenger’s seat, and of course, the little cup holder on the dash that could also double up as a change holder, if you’re one of those who still uses cash and coins in today’s day and age. We also quite fancied those long air-con vents which added to the cabin’s premium look. The rear occupants also get a charging port as well as air-con-vents so that they can enjoy a really relaxed ride. Add to that an armrest with two cup holders, adjustable headrests, and a flat floor and you have a winner on your hands. And for all those who’re wondering if the rear seats are big and comfortable, we’re happy to report that they are and that the Windsor EV is in fact a great choice for all those who wish to be driven. The cabin also appears more spacious thanks to the ‘Infinity View Glass Roof’ which is a fitted one and allows for a lot of sunlight to stream in.
The Windsor EV gets a small bonnet, akin to the Comet that houses fluid containers and it comes with a 38kWh battery pack (IP67-rated, to protect it from the elements,) which comes with a motor that is mounted onto the front axle and which puts out 134.14 bhp and 200Nm of torque. The Windsor EV claims a range of 331km on a single charge and with a 45kWh fast charger, the car manufacturer claims that you can charge the Windsor EV from 0-80% in just under an hour…55 minutes to be precise!
Driving the Windsor EV was loads of fun because it offered a really premium driving experience. Just like the Comet, the Windsor EV comes sans any Start/Stop buttons, just press the brake and it’s “Game On!” With the help of the drive selector, select the D option, and with the mode selector that offers Eco, Eco+, Normal and Sports, you’re ready for take-off! We tried all the modes while driving but the Windsor EV shone brilliantly in the ‘Sports’ mode and it came with three levels of regenerative braking thereby ensuring that the battery made up for the spent energy. Also, thanks to the fabulous overall visibility and a lot of glass area, viewing the road or keeping track of who was driving in our blind spot was never an issue. Besides, the steering was light and maneuvering the Windsor EV was sheer joy, while making the most of those steering mounted controls. The steering weighed up well as we touched three-digit speeds and its minimum turning radius of 4.9 meter spoke volumes about the possibilities of what the 4295mm long and 1850mm wide Windsor EV was capable of in really tight spaces. Overall, we truly enjoyed the experience that this flat bottom steering offered on the Windsor EV. We drove the Windsor EV on a mix of city roads as well as on the highways and the 186mm ground clearance ensured that nothing got in the way of damaging the battery underneath and we almost glided over potholes. While there was some body roll due to its 1677mm height, it really wasn’t anything to write home about.
From six airbags for your safety to that cruise control which ensures steady driving, to a 360-degree camera with its feed on that large infotainment screen, to auto wipers and headlamps that come on when they sense requirement, and with 35+ safety features in all ensure that the driver and its occupants remain safe at all times. However, it must be noted that this time around, the car manufacturer has not offered ADAS on the Windsor EV presumably to avoid escalating costs further.
So, is the Windsor EV for you? If you’re one of those who likes to sit in a comfortable back seat and be driven around by a chauffeur in a really comfortable CUV that is neither too big nor a hassle for your driver to park, then we’ll say, go right ahead and buy it, and obviously the same applies to you too, if you’re the one driving your family around. Also, you may want to consider the Windsor EV if you do not wish to break the bank by splurging on other bigger and more expensive Hybrid MPVs out there. In such a scenario, looking at the Windsor EV before putting your money down on something bigger and something that may not exactly fit the bill, only makes sense.
How is the Windsor EV priced, you ask? Well… with the BaaS (Battery as a Service) initiative, what you pay is INR 9.99 Lakh for the base variant (Exclusive) minus the battery and the price for the top variant (Essence) goes up to INR 15.50 Lakh. The cost of the battery is INR 3.5/km and it all depends on how much you drive. So, if you’re not driving much, it simply translates as more savings for you. However, this clever move from the car manufacturer is primarily to insulate the EV buyers from the assault of the steep price of the battery, which as we all know only too well, plays a big role in further driving up the cost of most EVs… in their entirety. With a battery rental plan that costs INR 5,250 per month (sans charging costs) and INR 63,000 annually, the car manufacturer assumes that you will drive around at least 1500 kms every month thereby justifying the INR 5,250 battery rental costs. Anything beyond that will set you back by INR 3.5/km and JSW MG Motor India also says that there is a surefire system in place for tracking the number of kilometers that you’ve driven over and above the 1500 kms every month. However, if you hated Math in school and you have better things to do than fishing out that Calculator every month, there is good news… just buy the Windsor EV outright and save yourself the hassle of those monthly rentals! Besides, the car manufacturer offers first owners a lifetime warranty and if s/he decides to sell her/his Windsor EV, the following owner/s get an eight-year/160,000km warranty. Also, the company claims that the Windsor EV gets a 60% resale value for upto three years in an assured buy-back plan. That’s not all, the car manufacturer has also thrown in free public charging for the first year for all Windsor EV buyers!
Finally, what are thoughts on the Windsor EV? Given the dimensions of the Windsor EV, the amount of tech that it comes loaded with, the ease of driving it, the supreme comfort, the opulent feel, clubbed with the massive amount of space on offer, and the company’s clever ownership initiative, we’ll say that this CUV definitely deserves some serious thought.
