MG Motor India and Kia Motor are planning to expand their Indian product portfolio in coming months. While the British carmaker has confirmed a new SUV for the third quarter of 2021, the South Korean automaker will roll out its fourth product in early 2022. Official details of the upcoming products are yet to be revealed by their respective manufacturers.
MG will introduce the petrol iteration of the ZS EV with a new moniker that’s likely to be the ‘MG Astor’. In the company’s product lineup, it will be positioned below the Hector and compete against the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and the upcoming Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun. Based on the updated ZS EV, the MG Astor will initially be offered with a 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine delivering power worth 120bhp and 150Nm of torque.
The carmaker might also use the 1.3L turbo petrol motor that’s good enough for 163bhp and 230Nm. If it happens, the Astor will become the most powerful SUV in its segment. Both manual and automatic gearboxes will be on offer.
On the exterior, the upcoming MG Astor will feature a newly-designed grille, sharper headlamps, revised front bumper and new LED taillamps. Its interior layout and features will be exactly similar to the EV. Though, it’s likely to get 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system instead of an 8.0-inch unit. The dashboard design might also be revised.
The British carmaker said it will use more localized components in its upcoming SUV. Therefore, it’s expected to be priced competitively around Rs 10 lakh for the base model and Rs 16 lakh for the top-end variant.
Kia India had announced that it will foray into an all-new segment in early 2022. Reports suggest that it will be a compact 7-seater MPV (codenamed Kia KY) and much affordable than the Carnival. While its entry-level variant will rival the Maruti Ertiga, the full-loaded trim will take head-to-head against Toyota Innova Crysta.
Measuring around 4.5m in length, the new Kia 7-seater MPV will share its platform with the Seltos and feature the brand’s signature ‘Tiger nose’ grille, wraparound headlamps with LED DRLs and 16-inch wheels. Engine setup of the new Kia 7-seater MPV will include a 1.5L petrol and a 1.5L diesel motor. Its prices are likely to start from Rs 10 lakh and go up to Rs 16 lakh (ex-showroom).
