The first product from MG Motor to come out of the brand’s stable is the Hector. Here’s why it will take the market by a storm.
MG Motor is a subsidiary of SAIC Motor UK. The brand is stepping into India for the very first time with the Hector. Expectations are really high with the Hector, given that it is based on the Baojun 530. The Baojun 530 enjoys a fair share of sales in the Chinese market, thanks to the level of equipment it offers. With the SUV’s debut in May, we at MotorBeam tell you why the Hector will shake the SUV segment.
Powertrain Options
When launched in India, the MG Hector will be available with both petrol and diesel engine options. The diesel-powered Hector gets the same Fiat sourced 2.0-litre engine that powers the Tata Harrier and the Jeep Compass. However, it will get a higher state of tune, unlike the Harrier. This engine will only be mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The setup will develop 173 PS of power and 350 Nm of torque. MG has already announced that the Hector will also get a home-sourced petrol engine. This 1.5-litre turbocharged unit churns out 143 PS of peak power and 250 Nm of peak torque. Moreover, the petrol engine will get the choice of both, a 6-speed manual transmission and a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Hector will be offered with a hybrid engine as well.
Design
The MG Hector has been designed in a very sleek and elegant manner and is sure to garner a lot of attention on Indian roads. For starters, the front of the SUV gets a large honeycomb front grille with a big MG logo in the centre. The dual-function LED DRLs are placed over the headlights, these also double up as dynamic turn indicators. The headlights are housed in the bumper along with the fog lamps. The Hector looks equally elegant even on the sides. The blacked-out B, C and D pillars with a sharp shoulder line give it a bold appearance. The floating roof effect and squared-off wheel arches make the SUV that bit more modern. The Hector also gets multi-spoke alloy wheel but it seems to be a bit undertyred thanks to the long rear overhang. The rear of the car looks pretty good, thanks to the dual-tone bumper with the silver colour skid plate.
Space
The MG Hector is based on the Baojun 530. The car is fairly large in terms of dimensions. The Hector is 4655 mm long, 1835 mm wide and 1760 mm tall. It also has a long wheelbase of 2750 mm. This makes the Hector one of the biggest cars in its segment. It beats almost all its rivals in terms of dimensions only to be overshadowed by the Harrier in width. The Tata Harrier has a width of 1894 mm in comparison to 1835 mm of the Hector. The Baojun 530 is only available in a 5-seater configuration in China. However, the Hector might get a 7-seater version as well especially with so much space on offer.
MG Hector Features
MG Motor is known for making their cars feature loaded. The Hector is no exception in this area. The SUV gets a host of equipment with even some first-in-class features. It gets the biggest infotainment screen in its class, a 10.3-inch touchscreen system. This setup will be compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The dashboard also features a 7-inch screen that has a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) embedded in it. Furthermore, the SUV has the largest panoramic sunroof in its class. Other features on offer are a 6-way power adjustable driver’s seat, keyless entry, push-button start and automatic climate control among others.
Moreover, the Hector will be one of the first connected car in India with the option of an eSIM. This means that the Hector will always be connected to the internet on-the-go. This feature will also allow the driver to get real-time health updates of the car while allowing the car OTA updates for its OS. In terms of safety features, the Hector features six airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, electronic stability program, hill hold control, front and rear parking sensors, seatbelt reminder for front passengers, a 360-degree camera and an electronic parking brake with auto vehicle hold.
Pricing
The MG Hector will compete mainly with the Tata Harrier and Jeep Compass when launched. However, it will also rival the Hyundai Creta, Nissan Kicks and Mahindra XUV 500 when it comes to pricing. Expect MG Motor to price the Hector very competitively, given that this is their first outing in the Indian market. The Hector will then fall in the range of Rs. 13-18 lakhs (ex-showroom, India). MG Motor aims at setting up at least 45 dealerships and service centres before the Hector launches next month in India.
