Spotted - Upcoming MG Astor SUV (Creta and Seltos Rival) | V3Cars

24 July 2021
By Mahesh Yadav
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A report early this year revealed that MG had filed for the Astor trademark in mid-2020. We’re expecting the Astor to challenge the established C-segment SUVs like the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta. Spy images of a camouflaged MG SUV recently surfaced online hinting at the imminent launch of this vehicle. It looks like it’s about as big as the Creta and Seltos and MG may call it the Astor.

The spy shots reveal the front, side, rear and give a glimpse of the front of the cabin. The front of the MG Astor gets a large grille with the MG logo in the centre. There are chrome accents emanating out of the logo like a sunburst dial of a wristwatch. Then, there’s a projector headlamp setup (possibly with an LED light source) and LED DRLs.

MG Astor

It appears to have some device just under the number plate. This could be the hardware to enable advanced driver assistance features. The Gloster is the other MG SUV that offers features like adaptive cruise control and full automatic-emergency braking.

If there’s one thing MG cars are known for, it’s their advanced technology-oriented features. If the Astor indeed launches with these features, then it really stands a chance to make the Hyundai and Kia uncomfortable.

MG Astor

Inside, we can see a flat-bottom steering wheel with some controls and an automatic shifter lever. The handbrake lever is not visible in the image. Continuing with the tech-forward brand image, it’s possible that the MG Astor may get an electronic parking brake - at least with the automatic transmission.

The Astor may stick with just the petrol engine as borrowing the 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine will mess up the product positioning. Moreover, for a small SUV like this, a 1.5-litre engine will do in the performance-to-efficiency equation.

MG Astor

So, the MG Astor may continue with just the petrol engine option. However, there are rumours that the car may come with 1.5-litre normal and 1.3-litre turbo petrol engines. Both of these may offer the choice of manual as well as automatic transmission options. Since MG don’t yet offer an automatic transmission with their diesel engine, it’s very likely that the Astor spotted had a petrol engine.