We informed you earlier that MG Motors will introduce the petrol derivative of the ZS SUV in the Q3, 2021. Speaking to PTI, Rajeev Chaba, President & MD MG Motor India confirmed that the launch of the mid-sized SUV has been delayed by few weeks. Rumoured to be called MG Astor, the new SUV will be launched in the last quarter of this calendar year.
First showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo, the MG ZS petrol will be positioned against the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and the Skoda Kushaq. The automaker is aiming to fully utilise its Halol-based manufacturing plant in Gujarat. This plant has an installed capacity to roll out about one lakh cars per annum.
MG Motors expects the new MG Astor to be a volume generator for the brand. Not just ZS petrol, MG Motors is also planning to launch a new electric vehicle with a price tag below Rs 20 lakh. The new electric vehicle is expected to be launched in the next 2 years. It will be positioned below the ZS EV, which is priced between Rs 21 lakh and Rs 24.18 lakh.
MG Astor Key Details
The new Astor will measure equivalent to the ZS EV. In terms of proportions, the ZS petrol is 4,314mm long, 1,809mm wide and 1,644mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,585mm. The SUV has a ground clearance of 205mm. The SUV will share styling cues from the facelifted ZS SUV on sale in select international markets. It will come with a new front grille, LED headlamps with LED DRLs, LED tail-lamps, alloy wheels and sloping roofline.
The cabin of the MG Astor will be fitted with a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system instead of 8.0-inch unit of the ZS EV. The infotainment system will be compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Navigation. The display will be used for the 360 degree camera. The SUV will also get a fully digital instrument console, tyre pressuring monitoring system, automatic AC, sunroof, etc. It is also expected to come with advanced driver assistance features such as autonomous emergency braking system, blind spot detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, front collision warning and hands-free auto parking.
The MG Astor is expected to be offered in petrol version only. The SUV is expected to come in two engine options – a a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol and a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol. While the naturally-aspirated petrol engine will produce around 120bhp and 150Nm of torque, the turbocharged engine is capable of producing 163bhp of power and 230Nm of torque. Both manual and automatic gearbox options are likely to be on offer.
