It has been a bit of a wait for MG Motor India’s first model to launch in India, but the wait is set to end soon. The Chinese-owned British brand’s SUV has been spied testing in the country a number of times and the company has now revealed the name of the new model – the Hector. The MG Hector is going to enter a hotly contested segment that’s expected to get even more crowded this year with new arrivals such as the Tata Harrier and the production-spec Kia SP Concept SUV.
Here are the five most important things you need to know about the MG Hector SUV:
It’s got rivals from two segments
A look at today’s Indian car market will tell you that SUVs are the ‘in’ thing. There’s no questioning the Indian consumer’s preference for this body style, which is why most carmakers in India are also expanding their line-ups, with Tata’s Harrier and Mahindra’s XUV300 being the latest examples that come to mind. Even newcomers in our market – namely MG Motor and Kia – will have SUVs as their first few products.
The MG Hector is entering a fiercely competitive segment, one currently dominated by the Hyundai Creta. That said, the MG SUV's rivals will include the Creta and the Nissan Kicks at one end, the Tata Harrier in its mid-spec, the Jeep Compass and the Hyundai Tucson at the higher end.
It’s bigger than most rivals
Measuring 4,655mm in length, 1,835mm in width and 1,760mm in height, the MG Hector is longer and taller than Tata’s Land Rover-platform-based Harrier and even the Hyundai Tucson. As the Hector will only have seats for five, expect a roomy cabin and a large boot. The interior is likely to be upmarket and plush too, with leather seats, soft-touch materials on the dashboard and chrome surrounds for the AC vents.
Its power figures will be among the best in class
Under the bonnet of the Hector, MG will provide two BS-VI-ready engine options – a 1.5-litre, turbo-petrol unit and an FCA-sourced, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel unit. Outputs of both engines are expected to be around the 170hp mark, making the MG Hector one of the most powerful SUVs in this bracket. While the Tucson’s 155hp, 2.0-litre petrol engine, and the Compass’ 163hp, 1.4-litre turbo-petrol fall short of the Hector’s expected power figure, the diesels are on par with each other. Spy shots have indicated that the engines are likely to be paired to an automatic transmission.
It’ll get segment-leading equipment
While the complete equipment list is yet to be confirmed, the MG Hector is expected to get segment-leading levels of kit. Features such as a panoramic sunroof, rear AC vents, a TFT multi-info display, power adjustable seats, cruise control and an electronic parking brake are expected on higher-spec trims, while the top-spec variant will get a portrait touchscreen infotainment system (expected with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink compatibility) that doubles as a display for the 360-degree camera.
It’ll be priced competitively
The MG Hector will roll out of parent company SAIC’s plant in Halol, Gujarat. The brand claims it has achieved a high level of localisation (around 75 percent). This should contribute to a price tag that should have its rivals concerned. Base trims of the MG Hector could overlap with the Hyundai Creta, while the higher-spec variants will be aimed squarely at the Compass, Harrier, and Tucson.
What do you think will the MG Hector’s calling card be in a segment so fiercely contested? Let us know in the comments.