MG Motor India has confirmed that it will roll out the petrol iteration of the ZS SUV in coming months. Reports suggest that the MG ZS petrol will be named ‘MG Astor’ as the carmaker recently filed a trademark application for the nameplate. The model will sit below the Hector in the company’s product lineup and take on the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. The upcoming Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun will also be put up against the Astor.
While the official details of the new MG Astor are yet to be revealed, it’s reported to come with a 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol and 1.3L turbocharged petrol engine options. While the naturally aspirated unit will be good enough for 120bho and 150Nm, the turbo motor will make power around 163bhp and 230Nm of torque. Its arch rivals – Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos – are available with 115bhp, 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol, 138bhp, 1.4L turbo petrol and 115bhp, 1.5L turbo diesel engines.
Compared the Creta and Seltos NA and turbo-petrol, the Astor will be 5bhp and 25bhp more powerful respectively. The new MG SUV will be offered with three gearbox options – 6-speed manual (NA petrol only), CVT automatic (NA petrol only) and dual-clutch automatic (reserved for turbo-petrol). Mileage figures of the SUV are still under the wraps. Read – MG To Launch Sonet, Venue Rival This Year
A fresh media report says that the upcoming new MG Astor might get level 1 autonomous technology – ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). Features such as a 360 degree camera, a panoramic sunroof, powered driver’s seat, a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, automatic AC unit and cruise control might also be on offer.
Visually, the new Astor SUV will look slightly different from the MG ZS EV. Some of its design highlights will include sharper headlamps with LED DRLs, a more pronounced grille, revised front and rear bumpers, newly-designed alloy wheels and new LED taillamps.
