MG Comet EV might look tiny from the outside, in many ways justifying its name, but as the company’s COO Gaurav Gupta underlined, it is “lavishly spacious on the inside”. And along with all the tech that goes into running an electric car launched in 2023, this is also one of the accomplishments of this new car trying to woo India’s environment conscious car buyers. As I unlocked the car we were taking for the quick review spin, the first thought that flashed across my mind was the extra-spacious floorboard and the relatively higher driving seat that offered a wide front view. The futuristic instrument panel attached to the steering wheel gave me the feel of an ultra-luxurious EV, of the like I had only seen on travel shows. On the dashboard, you see a floating twin display, a sleek 10.25” head unit, and another 10.25” digital cluster. On the right display you can use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, while the left panel features the usual speedometer, tachometer, odometer, fuel gauge, etc. We began our day with a trip to the quaint 16th-century heritage park at Sunder Nursery in South East Delhi, about 21 km away from the Gurugram hotel we started off from. So far, my experience with EVs had been restricted to e-scooters that offered comfy rides. However, I had never really thought of how an EV car would feel like, that too on a long distance. This car offers a keyless start. Switch the gear shift button to ‘N’ and tap on the accelerator twice to switch on the MG Comet. The vehicle kick-started almost instantly, and we didn't feel a thing, reminding me again that this is a quiet EV cutting through the cacophony of a bustling metropolis like Delhi. This does take some getting used to, considering that my ears are accustomed to the usual roar of the engine. We were driving against the flow as most of the early morning commute is inbound towards Gurugram. Our Comet glided on the busy roads with not as much as a hum even as I stepped on the accelerator when the opportunity came switching to the Sports Mode which lets you unleash the full torque of the car. The Eco Mode, in contrast, is more about saving battery and not about an exhilarating experience that satiates the driver in you. However, for most of the time you will be the no-complaints Normal Mode. On the road, the Comet steered past several heavy vehicles and cars with ease. The strong steel chassis gives the car a sturdy build, allaying my initial fears. When speeding, I expected the car to shake or maybe creak from unknown corners, but to my surprise, the car didn’t even acknowledge these assertions. Instead, it sped on like a holiday breeze. Even though we were speeding past several honking restive commuters, the MG Comet evoked in me the feeling of whizzing through some scenic European locale because of the effortless manoeuvrability. Owing to its compact design and adequate ground clearance, the MG Comet is a car that can negotiate even the unexpected on Indian roads. During the drive, I took a wrong turn, but owing to the size of the car, a swift turnaround was easy and possible where I was at that point. I also noticed how easy it was to navigate the Comet through tight spaces between other cars, making it a nimble navigator for city traffic. Making the city drive even easier is the fact that this does not need regular gear shifts. I could feel the car's smooth acceleration and the responsiveness of its electric motor as we took it through the roads leading to the heritage park. Throughout the ride, I couldn’t help but notice that this car is a headturner thanks to its unique looks and size. I soon took a detour and moved to a random arterial road flanked by shops and street vendors. There were hundreds of people and cattle thronging the route and the MG Comet almost slipped into the elements, squeezing in like a water bottle vendor at a busy intersection. The Comet EV takes nearly 7 hours to fully charge, and MG claims that the car offers a range of 230 kms on a single charge. When we started the car, the battery showed 98 per cent and range was at 196 km, and towards the end of our trip it showed 84 per cent with 168 km range. In about an hour of our journey through the traffic, we consumed 14 per cent of the battery covering a lap of nearly 28 kms. It is to be noted that the AC was running throughout the journey. The biggest advantage of the car to me is its dynamic suspension that softens the braking and offers a no-hiccup ride. Smooth acceleration, extra-quiet operation, and effortless manoeuvrability make this a great alternative to conventional cars… the environmental benefits come as additional advantages. The MG Comet ticks all the prerequisites for a car that is essential for city-dwellers, especially Gen Z, young professionals, and senior citizens, though some could find the Rs 7,98,000 price tag excessive for a car this size. But then saving the world won’t be cheap. Specs sheet: IP67 rated battery, high strength vehicle body with 17 stamping hot panels, dual front Airbags, ABS+EBD, reverse parking camera with rear sensors, LED rear fog lamp, tyre pressure monitoring system, floating twin display on dashboard, 55+ connected car features, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Digital Bluetooth key.
