MG Hector May be Priced To Rival Tata Harrier & Mahindra XUV500

• Published On: 28 June 2019
• 100 Views

Chinese-owned British brand Morris Garage to launch MG Hector at prices rivaling Tata Harrier and Mahindra XUV500.

MG has already started running adverts for their upcoming Hector SUV in India, and its launch date is nearing now. Now there are reports on the internet suggesting that the new SUV from Chinese-owned British brand could be priced to rival Tata Harrier and Mahindra XUV500. Meaning that the new upcoming SUV may be priced in the range of Rs. 14 lakhs to the top model selling for Rs. 18 lakhs. Although the upcoming SUV is larger when compared to Tata Harrier or Mahindra XUV500, it is supposed to come in a 5-seat layout only. With the marketing campaign of the SUV gaining pace, we can expect that the Hector could be launched in India in May and the deliveries for the same can start in June.

As far as the engine options for the MG Hector are concerned, the upcoming Chinese owned British brand SUV will come equipped with two engine options. The first will be a 1.5L liter turbocharged petrol and the other a 2L Fiat Multijet turbocharged diesel, the latter being the same one found on Compass and Harrier. The outputs for petrol engine will be 143 Bhp-250 Nm, this puts it behind the Compass as the US maker’s SUV produces 160 Bhp-250 Nm. Whereas the diesel engine is supposed to be produce the same kind of output seen on Compass – 170 Bhp of power and 350 Nm. There has also been news on the transmission options for the 1.4L petrol engines of Hector.

There will be two variants on offer, one a simple 6 speed manual transmission while the other being a 7-speed twin clutch gearbox reportedly developed jointly by SAIC and MG. The auto box is supposed to feature a special Sport mode and come equipped with paddle shifters. MG Hector is expected to be a FWD vehicle although there has been no confirmation or denial about other drivetrain options. Also since the Hector is already large than the Harrier and XUV500, there could be the option of a 7-seater, but the company has not confirmed the option as of now.

The company will price the Hector SUV very aggressively and load it with features so that it can lure in the customers headed for Compass or Harrier. As far as features are concerned, the Chinese SUV will come with 360-degree parking camera, flat-bottomed steering wheel, cruise control, and TPMS. Apart from that the SUV will be equipped with dual-tone dashboard, sunroof on top models, LED projector headlamps, LED tail lamps, Harman Infinity audio system, 10.4 inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and leather seats.

MG Hector is actually a rebranded version of the Chinese company SAIC Motor’s Baojun 530. SAIC is one of the biggest car manufacturers of China, however the Chinese company has been rigorously testing and making changes to the Baojun 530 SUV in order for this car to fit perfectly in the Indian market once it is launched under the badge of British brand as MG Hector in India.

MG claims that it has achieved nearly 75 percent localization for the parts of MG Hector in India, the brand is working so hard on localization in order to give stiff competition to Tata Harrier and Jeep Compass as far as prices are concerned. The new SUV from the Chinese owned brand is to be at its factory in Gujarat’s Halol, the same plant which once saw US giant GM’s cars being manufactured there.