MG GS SUV slated to be launched in India by September this year, to rival the Hyundai Tucson.
One of the latest entrants in the Indian passenger car market, MG Motor, has decided to launch two SUVs – GS and the ZS in the next two years. The wholly-owned subsidiary of Chinese automaker SAIC, the company will first roll out the GS SUV (a rival to the Hyundai Tucson and Jeep Compass) by September this year. However, company officials said the product planning is still to be finalised and hence the final details aren’t available yet. That said, their first product will be hitting the Indian roads by September 2018.
The GS was initially introduced in the international markets in 2015 and a year later got a facelift. The SUV measures 4500 mm long, 1855 mm wide, is 1699 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2650 mm. Engine options include 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol motors. The 1.5-litre mill is good enough for 168 PS and 250 Nm of torque while the bigger 2.0-litre unit churns out 220 PS and 350 Nm of torque. Transmission options for the former include a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission while the latter pairs with a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
The ZS sits a segment below the GS. The company’s latest SUV will rival the Hyundai Creta and internationally is offered in two choices of petrol engines – 1.5-litre and 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol motors. The 1.5-litre mill produces 120 PS and 150 Nm of torque while the smaller 1.0-litre powertrain outputs 125 PS and 170 Nm of torque. Transmission options for the 1.5 petrol include a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission while the 1.0 turbo petrol pairs with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Considering the Hyundai Creta sells in more numbers than the Tucson and the Jeep Compass (combined), the MG ZS could be launched first in India.
The carmaker is likely to plonk diesel powertrains in both the SUVs, considering diesel-powered SUVs are sold more in India than the petrol-powered ones. The company will manufacture all its models at the Halol plant (which it took over from GM last year).
MG GS SUV India Launch
– MG evaluating to launch 2 SUVs first; GS and ZS
– GS SUV to rival Hyundai Tucson; launch by September
– Company is in the process of refurbishing the Halol plant
Source – ETAuto.com