MG Motor India has been steadily expanding its MG Astor SUV lineup in our market, and in the two years since introducing the Hector, the SUV brand has introduced the Hector Plus, the Gloster, and the ZS EV. The MG Astor, the petrol-powered version of the MG ZS, comes next.
The Astor is scheduled to hit the traffic at the beginning of the following month. SUV categories are now home to stalwarts like Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kushaq, VW Taigun (introduced this month), Renault Duster and Nissan Kicks newly launched. We look at the Astor to see what the new competitor from MG is bringing to the table.
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2021 MG Astor: specifications of external design
Especially the ZS EV, Astor’s design features are quite comparable. Compared to the ZS EV marketed here, though, Astor has a worldwide model which has recently had an overhaul, there are certain Indian tweaks, such as the grille design. This hexagonal “Celestial” grille appears extremely clean and looks pretty eye-catching.
The redesigned front buffer is also equipped with a reorganised fog light housing and fits new light headlamps with LED daylight (DRLs). On the back the rear bumper is new, the luminaires are freshly lamp-signed, and the tailgate is marked. More beautiful 17-inch diamond-cut wheel alloys also feature higher variations.
2021 MG Astor: interior
A short peek into the Astor shows that MG’s interior and cabin quality is very demanding. With ample use of soft-touch materials, burnt aluminium details that contrast the shadow inside and a Chucky flat floor steering wheel, the SUV cabin looks posh. It offers three different interior colour schemes, Sangria Red, Iconic Ivory and Tuxedo Black in dual tonal colour.
The dashboard is comparable to the ZS EV, but it includes a new 10.1″ infotainment system that includes a Jio E-SIM for linked car capabilities, and a digital key that you can install on your phone. This allows you to run Astor fully without the actual key fob.
2021 MG Astor: specifications
However, the highlight is the offering of AI which comprises two main aspects, an extensive ADAS set-up and a personalised robotic assistant, which can take voice instructions (even Hinglish) and answer online enquiries. It might seem cool to some, while gimmicky to others. Although it works well and offers voice controls for basic automobile activities on board, such as opening the sunroof and temperature control. Wikipedia drives the system and includes several local applications.
Besides this, the top-specific version also comes with an electrically adjustable driver seat and a sunroof, heated ORVMs, an automatic air condition management system, rain sensor wipers, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, a 6-way seat.
In the Astor, there’s also a USB plugin next to the IRVM for accessories like a dashboard camera.
The Level-2 system uses both the camera and radar input for the ADAS setup and offers several active security capabilities that are class-specific. Adaptive cruise control, forward crash warning, automated emergency braking, lane maintenance assistance, lane departure prevention, and speed assist are all included. This function is offered on SUVs of higher sectors such as the new Mahindra XUV700 (albeit it is merely a camera system). This makes Astor the first model to provide this innovative safety technology in the SUV market of medium size.
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2021 MG Astor: engine and transmission
The new MG SUV has a two-fuel engine, although diesel, such as on the SUVs Kushaq, Taigun and Kicks, are not available. There are two engines to pick – the basis is a 1,398cc natural gas engine with 110 hp and 144Nm of natural vacuum, while the second engine is a more powerful 1.349cc turbo-petroleum engine with 140hp and 220Nm of a natural petrol engine.
This last model is designed for competing competitors, such as Crete, Seltos, Kicks, Duster and Kushaq with high output turbo-petrol variations. With a hand gearbox as well as an 8-stage CVT automatic gearbox, the 1.5-litre petrol engine is provided. Only a 6-speed torque converter will be available for 1.3 litres of turbo petrol.
2021 MG Astor: expected price
MG is quite squat on the price, but we expect Astor to price quite competitively since opponents like Seltos and Kushaq handily undercut. The Astor is slated to begin market introduction and price announcement early in the next month “as read and reported by www.autocarindia.com”.