MG ASTOR

Morris Garages India downsizes their SUV plan with a big hit that goes by the name Astor!

- BERTRAND D’SOUZA

Type 999cc 3-cyl/ 1,498cc 4-cyl, turbo petrol

Max power 110PS @ 6,000rpm/ 140PS @ 5,6000rpm

Max torque 144Nm @ 4,400rpm/ 220Nm @ 3,600rpm

LxWxH (mm) 4,323x1,809x1,650

Price ₹9.78 - 16.69 lakh (ex-showroom)

+ Styling, comfort features, ADAS

- ADAS not standard

The MG Astor isn’t new to the Indian market, it is already on sale, albeit with a fully electric powertrain and it is sold as the ZS EV. The Astor by extension is the very same SUV with an internal combustion engine. There is however much more to this compact SUV from MG Motor that enters a segment that already has several choices from class-leading players. How then does the Astor differentiate itself from everything else leads us down a fairly interesting path, one that is laden with state-of-the-art tech, innovative design, and high quality.

The MG Astor is refreshing, starting offwith its exterior design that apes its sibling the ZS EV in its dimensions but presents an entirely different face. The front face is dominated by a large grille that MG says emulates a celestial object. I can see how the outwardly radiating chrome dashes emanating from the MG logo front and centre hints at the sun’s rays streaking out. It is an attractive design element and is exclusive to consumers in the Indian market. The grille is flanked by wraparound headlamps which have LED light signatures housed within. The entire bumper is a single unit stretching from the hood line to the lower lip and it has a very sportscar-like musculature to it with deep recesses housing the driving lamps and broad flanks.