MG last month launched a limited edition Windsor named the MG Windsor Inspire Edition. The Windsor Inspire Edition comes with a few design changes and new features to MG’s best-selling EV in India. We got a chance to experience the MG Windsor for a brief period of time and it does have a certain appeal to it. The dual tone paint job, the dark red interiors – everything looked pretty good. Much better than what it seemed in photos and videos before seeing the Windsor Inspire Edition in person. So here are my first impressions:
MG Windsor Inspire Edition First Impressions – Exterior and Styling
The dual-tone black and white design may not have many takers, but it does give the car a very different and a rather aggressive look as compared to the normal Windsor or Windsor Pro models. I like how this looks slightly more sleek but it’s actually not. There are a few design details here and there but the dimensions and the shape is pretty much the same as the normal models. It is the dual tone colour scheme and the design detail that make it look so much more aggressive. Better or not is subjective. Some people will like it, some people won’t.
I kinda like it, but would have preferred more colour options in the whole dual tone scheme – not just black and white. There are also these copper-coloured aluminium-like details on the side skirting and the pillars of the car, which add to the whole look and feel of the new Windsor Inspire. The “Inspire” badging is also in a copper colour and placed on the C-Pillar of the car.
So in terms of how it looks, the shape, size, tail lamps, headlamps – main things are pretty much the same as the MG Windsor and MG Windsor Pro. However, the dual-tone colour scheme and the details here and there make it look quite different and aggressive as compared to the normal MG Windsor.
MG Windsor Inspire Edition First Impressions – Interior and Comfort
The interiors are also slightly different from the normal MG Windsor. We are getting a nice dark red colour scheme inside the car, with the same plush interiors and the sofa-like seats of the MG Windsor. We are also getting “Inspire” badging on the headrest, which is an embroidered logo, and we also get ‘Inspire’ branded cushions in the back seat – a nice touch to make things appear more premium inside the cabin.
Apart from the dark red colour scheme and the added pillows and ‘Inspire’ branding, there is nothing different from the normal Windsor. You’re getting the same massive cabin with enough space to move a house. Reclining rear seats, and a flat footbed that just makes the leg area appear even bigger and spacious.
Coming to features, the MG Windsor Inspire Edition has one of the best feature that I have seen on cars in recent times – a dashcam! Dashcams are extremely important given the road conditions in India and most people go ahead and buy an aftermarket dashcam after purchasing a new car – MG has solved that problem. Apart from this, we are getting new 3D carpets which are really soft, along with sunshades in the MG Windsor Inspire Edition.
Rest, we’re getting the same massive infotainment display, the 7-inch digital instrument cluster, and the same steering wheel and dashboard as the normal versions of the MG Windsor. Even the door panels are the same black and copper colour scheme and do not take from the new red colour interiors. Yes, the red colour adds a lot of character to this already impressive interior. It is spacious, it has good quality materials all around and it comes with the same massive glass roof that makes the cabin appear more air and has a lot of room.
MG Windsor Inspire Edition First Impressions: Performance and Battery
The Inspire Edition of the MG Windsor only comes with the smaller 38 kWh battery which powers the normal MG Windsor models, not the Pro. This means that the range on this won’t be the best out there. According to MG, the MG Windsor Inspire Edition puts out a range of 332 kilometers, but in our test earlier this year the normal Windsor was able to put out just above 230 kilometers on a single charge.
Coming to performance, the 38 kWh battery powers a 100 kW electric motor. This electric motor produces 134 bhp of power and 200 Nm of torque. Which may not be extremely quick, but in the city, this car will never leave you asking for more. So yes, while we didn’t get a chance to drive the MG Windsor Inspire Edition, we are guessing it has the same driving feel as the non-Pro version of the Windsor, so I’ll tell you how my experience with that was earlier this year:
So the MG Windsor is not a super fun car to drive, but it’s not boring by any standard also. Before driving it, I used to wonder if this car would even have the basic dynamics to make it a good car. However, to my surprise, the ride quality is really good. It is quick in overtakes, handles well for a car this wide and bulky, and it even takes potholes and speedbumps well. Yes, the shape makes them a bit harsh but the Windsor takes care of them pretty well.
MG Windsor Inspire Edition First Impressions: Verdict
That was my first impressions of the limited edition MG Windsor Inspire Edition. The underpinnings are the same as the normal MG Windsor – the same range, same performance, and even the same basic features. What is different is that you’re getting a few new things like an in-built dashcam, fresh interiors, and a dual tone colour scheme on the outside. That dual tone colour scheme is good. It may not be the instant favourite among buyers and enthusiasts but trust me when I say this, it looks much better standing next to the basic variants of the MG Windsor or Windsor Pro. It gives a more aggressive look and feel.
The only two things I feel MG should have done to make this limited edition a bit more lucrative is first, offer more colour options as compared to the black and white, and there should have been an Inspire Edition for those who like everything here but want a bigger battery for more range and power.
