MG Astor Facelift to Launch Soon? New VS SUV Spotted Undisguised in India Might be the Hint
The MG VS SUV has a stylish front end that is accentuated by huge air intakes, an enclosed matrix grille, and sleek LED headlamps and DRL units.
By Reetika Bhatt
MG Motor is preparing to bring a new compact SUV to India. We can see the design of the SUV in several spy images that are making the rounds on the internet. Due to the model's remarkable resemblance to the MG Astor, there are rumours that it is a facelift of the current-generation SUV and may be introduced under the Astor moniker in India. Nevertheless, the brand has not yet provided an official statement on the matter. In the international market, it goes by the name MG VS. Notably, this car differs significantly from the Astor in terms of design, powertrain, and other aspects. Several industry speculations claim that the Astor facelift SUV may also come with a hybrid option.
Also Read: MG Comet, Astor, Hector, ZS EV 100-Year Limited Editions Launched in India
MG VS SUV: Design Cues
The MG VS, which is sold in countries like Indonesia and Thailand, debuted two years ago. The MG VS SUV has a stylish front end that is accentuated by huge air intakes, an enclosed matrix grille, and sleek LED headlamps and DRL units. The alloy designs on the sides differ from what is currently available for Astor. With the Astor revamp, some of these design cues are anticipated to remain.
MG VS SUV: Powertrain Options
Coming to the mechanical details, the MG VS draws power from a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine. This unit produces 142Nm of torque and 107bhp. A 2.13kWh lithium-ion battery is combined with the engine to produce 175bhp of maximum power. An e-CVT gearbox is responsible for transmission duties.
MG VS SUV: Interior Features
The interior of the SUV features a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system integrated with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. In addition, it has a 360-degree camera, a wireless charger, six airbags, an automatic parking brake, and rear AC vents. Three drive modes are also present: High, Medium, and Low.
Also Read: MG Comet EV Review: The Electric Car India has been Waiting for, Finally?
MG VS SUV: Engine Options and Price Range
The MG Astor SUV is currently available in 13 variants and 2 engine options: a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated (NA) petrol unit and a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol mill. Interestingly, it is the first SUV in its segment to come equipped with ADAS. The base price of the model stands at Rs 9.98 lakh, while the top-tier model is priced at Rs 17.90 lakh. The Astor Blackstorm Edition, which the automaker recently unveiled, retails for Rs 14.48 lakh. All mentioned prices are ex-showroom. In our market, the Astor goes up against the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Kia Seltos, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Honda Elevate, and Hyundai Creta.
