MG Astor Launch By The End Of This Year | V3Cars

Although Chaba has not confirmed which SUV will it be but it is likely to be ZS petrol which has been spotted testing in the country on multiple occasions. However, when launched, it won’t be called the ZS petrol and MG might name it the Astor. 

MG showcased the ZS petrol facelift at the 2020 Auto Expo. Compared to the pre-facelift model which is offered as an EV in India, it gets a blacked-out MG front grille with a honeycomb pattern instead of the chrome studded grille found on the ZS EV. It is flanked by redesigned LED headlamps that looks sharper than before. The front bumper is also refreshed and features a large central air dam flanked by fog lamps. On the side, it looks identical to its electric counterpart save for a new set of alloys. At the back, while the profile remains unchanged it gets updated tail lamps and a redesigned bumper. 

The cabin layout also looks similar to the pre-facelift. Features on offer should include a panoramic sunroof, auto LED headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected car tech, auto AC and up to 6 airbags. 

Rumours also suggest that the MG Astor will be equipped with Gloster-like Level 1 Autonomous features like adaptive cruise control, cruise assistance, lane departure warning, collision mitigation system, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, and traffic jam assistance. 

Under the hood, the ZS petrol is expected to be offered with two petrol engines. In the lower variants, it is expected to get a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine making 120PS and 150Nm. The higher variants, on the other hand, are expected to get a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine making 160PS and 230Nm. Both the engines are likely to be offered with manual as well as automatic transmission options. 

If launched, the 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine will be the most powerful in the class. While the Creta-Seltos’ 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine makes 140PS and 242Nm, the Duster-Kicks 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine makes 156PS and 254Nm. The recently launched Kushaq 1.5 makes 150PS and 250Nm. 

Prices of the MG Astor are expected to range from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 17 lakh. It will take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Nissan Kicks, Renault Duster, Maruti S-Cross, Skoda Kuhshaq and the upcoming Volkswagen Taigun.