MG has been on quite a roll from the beginning of 2021 with a plethora of updates. These include a complete facelift and upgrade of the Hector family (Hector, 6-seat Hector Plus and 7-seat Hector Plus) as well as ZS EV, the popular electric SUV. MG did promise to bring another SUV in India this year and it has registered the name, Astor. It is safe to assume that MG will name the ZS petrol as Astor to avoid any confusion with the electric version of the ZS. The ZS petrol has been spied testing multiple times now and now we know that it will most likely be called MG Astor. With the Astor, MG is trying to step into the most popular segments in the country, the mid-size SUV segment and this clearly indicates that MG wants a bigger piece of the pie in India. Tryin to establish itself in every SUV segment in the country, this will be a step towards achieving that. Touted as the Creta-rival, it will also have to prepare itself to take on the upcoming Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun. Let us see what the spy shots tell us this time around.
Also read: MG ZS EV launched at Rs 20.99 lakh – All you need to know!
MG Astor (ZS Petrol) – Exterior Design
The spy shots give a clearer story about the overall design and dimensions of the Astor. The rear section of the Astor is clearly visible and hosts wraparound LED taillamps making the rear look wider than it actually is. The rear bumper also seems a bit sporty with some lighting elements to it which could be the brake light strip. The SUV seems to feature roof rails as well with an integrated roof spoiler. On the front, the LED headlamps look very sleek and the front bumper is also redesigned to give the Astor a sharper look as compared to its outgoing counterpart. The front grille maybe something like on the updated Hector with chrome dots with a large MG logo at the centre. The overall dimensions will most likely be similar to the ZS EV, which was facelifted earlier.
Also read: MG Hector, 7-seat Hector Plus and 6-seat Hector Plus launched – All you need to know!
MG Astor (ZS Petrol) – Interior and Features
Not much has been revealed about the interiors of the Astor, but we expect the interiors similar to the ZS EV for the most part. That translates to a larger 10.25-inch Digital Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Digital Instrument Cluster, Panoramic Sunroof, MG’s own updated Connected Car Tech with Hinglish Commands among other features. The safety aspect will also be taken into account because MG takes it very seriously. We expect 6 Airbags, ABS with EBD and ESC, Hill-Start Assist, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and much more which can be borrowed from the bigger Hector. To compete against the likes of Hyundai Creta, MG will have to equip its Astor with a ton of features.
Also read: MG Hector launched with CVT Gearbox at Rs 16.52 lakh!
MG Astor (ZS Petrol) – Engines, Prices and Rivals
The MG Astor will be a petrol car only, which means that there could be two powertrain options on offer. There could be a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated unit that makes 106 hp and 141 Nm and a more powerful 1.3-litre turbo petrol making 125 hp and 230 Nm. These engines will most likely come mated to either a 6-speed manual or an automatic transmission. Prices range can be expected in the range of Rs 10 lakh and Rs 16 lakh, ex-showroom. Traditional rivals will include Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos but the upcoming Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun can also appear as tough competitors given that they will price their products very competitively due to high localization.
Image Source: Rushlane
