MG India has finally launched its much-awaited SUV with AI technology, the MG Astor, which is based on the MG ZS, available in the international markets. The Astor comes fully packed with first-in-class features and competitive pricing in its segment with two engine options, and three different transmissions to choose from across variants.
MG Astor is the facelifted version of the ZS and sports few new changes like the massive front grille that gives off a 3D effect with the bold MG logo sitting neatly in the centre. Complimenting the celestial grille are the sharp hawk-eyed LED headlamps. The body cladding and lower lip starts from the very front, flows through the side all the way to the rear of the SUV. The rear features LED tail lights, dual exhausts and a chrome accentuated bumper. The 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels represent the fans of a turbine, coupled with sporty-looking red callipers. The Astor comes in five distinct colour options — Spiced Orange, Glaze Red, Aurora Silver, Candy White and Starry Black.
The inside of the car is where the Astor shines with premium offerings and numerous tidbits. Firstly, the interiors come in three different options — Tuxedo Black, dual-tone Iconic Ivory and dual-tone Sangria Red. The dashboard is also covered in faux leather with the same colour scheme as the upholstery.
The Astor gets a 7-inch fully digital instrument cluster, and a 10.1-inch infotainment system that sits right under the AC-vents and above it, on the dashboard sits the AI personal assistant that has the capability of giving you information, news, tell you jokes and control the car with just voice commands. Now that is some futuristic tech which is a show-stopper indeed. The infotainment system gets multiple first-in-class functionalities like built-in navigation using MapMyIndia’s 4D Maps, music from JioSaavn and more interesting features (i-smart) like the in-car parking reservation from Park Plus. Now you might think that MG stopped there, but there is more. The new MG Astor gets three steering modes – Normal, Urban and Dynamic, which change the weight and feel of the steering. Adding to that the Astor gets ADAS Autonomous level II along with safety features like ESP, traction control, hill descent control, rear-drive assist, automatic emergency braking and a 360-degree camera that aids visibility.
The Astor gets two powertrain options — a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine and a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine. The naturally aspirated engine produces 108bhp and 144Nm of torque and it can be paired to either a five-speed manual or a five-speed CVT. Whereas the turbo-petrol produces 138bhp and 220Nm of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic. The Astor for now does not come in a diesel offering.
The Astor is available in four variants — Style, Super, Smart and Sharp. MG Astor Style is the introductory variant that gets all the basic features and comes only with a 1.5-litre nat-asp engine and a manual gearbox. It is priced at Rs 9.78 lakh.
The Super variant ranging from Rs 11.28 to Rs 12.68 lakh gets a few added features over the Style variant like 17-inch silver alloy wheels, rear parking camera, Android Auto & Apple Carplay, cornering fog lamps and gets manual as well as the CVT gearbox options with the same 1.5-litre engine.
The Smart variant ranging from Rs 12.98 to Rs 15.88 lakh is where things become more premium with the personal AI assistant, 7-inch fully digital cluster, cruise control, digital car key, i-smart, push-button start, heated ORVM. The Smart variant gets all three transmission options as well as the turbo-petrol engine choice.
The Sharp variant is the most premium one with prices ranging from Rs 13.98 to 16.78 lakh. And is fully loaded with all the additional features to offer like the dual-pane sunroof, rear-drive assist, 360-degree camera, Red brake callipers, 17-inch turbine inspired alloys, six-way power-adjustable driver seat, blind-spot detection, lane change assist, rain-sensing wipers, rear cross-traffic alert. The Autonomous level II driving comes as an optional package, only on the automatic variants of the top-end Sharp model, and the prices for the same will be announced at a later date.
Although the bookings for the MG Astor will commence from the 21st October, the customers can pre-reserve it. MG has also mentioned that the deliveries for the first batch will take place in November - December of this year.
MG India disclosed that the maintenance cost of the Astor will be just 47 paise/per km along with the standard ownership package that comes with three years unlimited kilometres warranty, three years of roadside assistance and three labour free services. Additionally, MG has also announced an annual maintenance package for which the prices start at Rs 16,500 and an assured three years, 60 per cent value buyback plan. The Astor goes head-to-head with Skoda Kushaq, Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.