Mahindra unveils e2o G-Wiz replacement

One of the most notorious all-electric cars ever produced – the Mahindra G-Wiz – is set to be replaced by this new e2o after being revealed at an event in London.

Mahindra, the manufacturer of the G-Wiz and the new e2o is putting the new car up against established rivals like the Renault Zoe and the Volkswagen e-up!

The new car is notably different from the G-Wiz in terms of design, with more angular headlights, longer overhangs at the front and back and more traditional car-like proportions.

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It’s powered by a 42bhp electric motor that’s supplied with electricity from a 14kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Base-spec models get a total range of around 79miles, while this can be extended to a maximum of 88 miles in ‘Revive’ mode, which also offers remote charging in an emergency. It takes around nine hours to charge fully from a standard three-point plug at home, although this can be reduced to just 90 minutes at a fast charger. This will mean tiny fuel costs, while being an E.V, the e2o is also exempt from road tax and the London Congestion Charge.

That 42bhp electric motor is enough to propel the e2o to a top speed of 63mph and it’ll do the 0-25mph sprint in 4.9 seconds, while 0-50mph takes a whole 18 seconds. Mahindra won’t be drawn on how long it’ll take to reach its top speed.

You can choose fro, two versions of the e2o – the standard ‘City’ model and the top-of-the-range TechX version. Entry-level models – priced from £12,995 after the Government electric car grant – don’t come over-burdened with kit with fabric seats, electric windows, power steering, a heater and an LCD instrument display.

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Step up to TechX trim – from £15,995 after the Government grant – and you get air-conditioning, a Blaupunkt touchscreen sat-nav system and access to a smartphone-based app that allows you to pre-heat or cool the car remotely.

One of the G-Wiz’s biggest issues was one of safety. It was classified as a ‘heavy quadricycle’ rather than a car, so it didn’t have to meet the same exacting safety standards as cars would. The e2o, however, is too heavy and fast to be classified as a heavy quadricycle, it is now, officially a car. This means it has to conform to certain safety standards. As a nod to this, there are two airbags, anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control as standard, as well as ISOFIX child car seat mounting points in the rear seats.

The Mahindra e2o is on sale now, priced from £12,995 to £15,995 after the £4,500 Government grant has been applied.