MG has filed a trademark application for the title “Astor” which will be the official name of its soon-to-be launched ZS petrol in India.
To be positioned below the Hector midsize SUV range, the MG Astor will become the new entry-level model for the firm in India and will fulfill the brand’s aim of having 4 SUVs on sale in the market this year.
Internally codenamed “model K”, the MG Astor will come with refreshed exterior styling (it is the facelifted version of the ZS) to further differentiate it from the EV based on the same car.
Thus, the MG Astor will be given a reworked (and better-looking) front profile, new projector headlights, sharper front grille and bumper, while at the rear, it will feature a new set of LED tail lamps and revised bumper.
Also, the compact SUV will ride on a new set of alloy wheels, which completes the exterior changes. Inside, MG will offer the Astor with a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while some other bits and pieces might be tweaked as well.
There will be a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine good for 120 HP and 150 Nm powering the Astor, while a 1.3-litre turbo petrol motor making 163 HP and 230 Nm, will be offered too. Gearbox options will include a manual and automatic units.
While the MG Astor trademark has been uncovered, its launch time is also tentatively known. The compact SUV will hit showrooms by the third quarter of this year and cost between Rs. 10-16 lakhs (ex-showroom).
