[Credits for all photos to Autocar India. I couldn’t go for the event. But they’ve got amazing photos.]

After looking at a lot of spy pics, the Morris Garages, better known as MG Motor company has officially unveiled the MG Hector on 16th May in Mumbai. The launch is expected to happen next month.

The MG Hector is a small SUV, one that will compete with the likes of the Tata Harrier, Hyundai Creta, Jeep Compass – at least in terms of the dimensions. The numbers are 4,655 mm of length with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm. The prices are unknown at the moment, but the expectation for the Hector is in the range of Rs 13 lakhs to 20 lakhs in my opinion. There have been talks about there being quite a few numbers of variants and engine – transmission combinations (13 I think) to be available and if that is true – it will fill up the price range I’ve mentioned above.

Coming on to what the Hector has to offer – it is India’s first connected car, that will come with 50+ connected features that you will be able to use via either the big screen on the inside or their mobile app. The Hector will also be India’s first 48V hybrid SUV. It will also set a new benchmark in its segment by offering 19 exclusive features.

I think I’ll do a separate detailed post on the connected features of the MG Hector, once it is launched next month. You want that right?

Sid @ The Best Car Blog Ever

Let’s dive into the engine first, because this is something really interesting.

Talking about the 48V hybrid variant – it is the latest 48-volt hybrid engine technology, that is also environmentally friendly because it reduces emissions from the petrol engine. MG Motors is the first mainstream carmaker in India to bring this 48V technology to the mass market segment. The car gets a 48-volt lithium ion battery, which helps store energy and provide extra torque assistance of up to 20 Nm when required, resulting in a smoother drive.

Select petrol manual trims will come with this globally acclaimed 48V mild hybrid technology, generating best-in-class fuel efficiency in the segment. The 48-volt lithium-ion battery is four times more capable than the current offerings in the Indian mass market segment. With three key functions – Engine Auto Start Stop, Regenerative Braking and E-Boost – the combination provides a great driving experience while reducing emissions by up to 12%.

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Automatic?

There are three types of engine-transmission combinations confirmed at the moment – and they would be available right from its launch. A 1.5-litre turbocharged intercooled Petrol with a 6-speed manual box and also a DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission). There will be an automatic petrol variant. Not a diesel. For the diesel counterpart, there is a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with a 6-speed manual transmission. The 48V hybrid will be a combination with the 1.5-litre turbocharged intercooled petrol engine, that will come with a Belt Start Generator, mated with the 6-speed manual box – no automatic here. Figures for the petrol engine are 143 PS power at peak torque of 250 Nm, while the diesel engine will deliver 170 PS at peak torque of 350 Nm along with the best-in-class fuel efficiency – numbers to be revealed at launch.

More on the DCT

The DCT in the Hector is a highly sophisticated and refined automatic transmission that will provide a perfect balance between power and fuel economy. Like the other variants, the DCT has also been tested extensively under extreme climatic conditions globally for more than 2.6 million kms.

Looks?

When you look at the new MG Hector, apart from reminding you of the Tata Harrier at the front, you will notice a badge on it’s left–side and also at the back that reads ‘Internet Inside’. That badge is a symbol of the iSMART technology in the MG Hector that promises safety features, connected features, and some fun experiences via its 10.4-inch HD touch screen display – a reminiscence of the Tesla.

Let’s get inside in a moment, and before that let’s finish talking about the Hector – interesting looks, not something that will make it stand out. The front star-rider grill, as they call it, is something that I love, but the rest of the body silhouette is a little retro box kind of. That will take some time to get used to. What’s interesting is the shoulder line, which in most SUVs would not have been a straight line like the one on the Hector. I like it, it is different. Hector’s character lines are defined by geometric shapes, horizontal flow and symmetry. Looks are subjective, and they can always grow on you. YMMV.

There are a pair of LED DRLs that also house floating turn light indicators. Below them sit the actual headlamps which are LED as well. And below them are the LED fog lamps. At the rear too, it has LED tail lamps with LED fog lamps below it.

There are front and rear parking sensors also available as feature. On the safety front the Hector will come with 6 airbags. There is also ESP, TCS, ABS, EBD + Brake Assist, a 360-degree camera view, electric parking brake, tyre pressure monitoring system too. What’s standard and what’s not – we’ll have the details by next month.

The Hector will sit on some 17-inch dual-tone machined alloy – which in my opinion are just fine.

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Let’s get inside!

The first thing to grab your attention on the Hector – if you are not going to go for the base variant, because it won’t have it – will be the 10.4-inch HD portrait-style touch screen. It is called the iSMART and it is going to be really smart. The ‘Internet Inside’ badge translates to the M2M SIM that’s embedded in this system. It is also 5G ready and you will also receive over-the-air updates like you receive for your phones. And this SIM is the reason you will be able to connect and control your Hector from a mobile app.

Some features that are possible because of this are – Information at a glance, Geo-fencing the car, Driving analytics, Remote vehicle control, navigation, voice assistant, know your vehicle, find your car, self-initiated emergency calls if the airbags get deployed in an accident, a Gaana premium account and a lot of other pre-loaded entertainment content.

There are no buttons, most of them will be on the steering wheel now! This screen will give you a host of connectivity features. Some will be something that you’ve never seen before on any other car.

There will be apps that are specifically built for this screen – music apps like Gaana with free premium subscription for example. And how will you be listening to the songs you play? That’s a good question. The screen is connected to an 8-speaker and tweeter system by Infinity, and a sub-woofer & amplifier, all controllable from the screen, or controls on your steering wheel or even voice commands.

It will support Android Auto. No words on Apple Carplay at the moment.

There is more inside right and not just the 10.4-inch screen right?

Moving away from the big screen to another screen, there’s a 7-inch colored MID that should display all the information you need between the two analog speedometer and RPM dials behind the steering wheel.

There is some nice leather everywhere – from seats to the doors and dashboard to the armrest for the driver – and also the leather wrapped steering wheel.

There is also an 8-color ambient lighting available to match your mood. And if you feel like sitting in the Hector to read some books – you could do that, thanks to the front and rear LED reading lights that are available!

There is only a second row of seats – no third row (I’ve heard there will be a three-row Hector coming soon!). This second row can be folded down in a 60-40 split or even completely flat to make the amazing boot space even better – no bigger is the word. Figures on the boot space I’ll update around the launch next month.

Did I tell you about the sunroof? No? It’s there and it is massive! The MG Hector will have a dual-pane panaromic sunroof!

Other interesting features are the 6-way adjustable driver seat, 4-way adjustable co-driver seat, powered tailgate opening, rain sensing wipers, heated ORVMs, auto headlamps, cruise control, front and rear fast charging USB ports, and more!

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Quote Unquote

The Hector has been designed and developed for Indian customers. It has been built to withstand extreme road conditions. It has been tested for over one million kilometers in India before entering production at the company’s plant in Halol, Gujarat, earlier this month.

“The MG Hector, as India’s first internet car, has been built with a high level of localization and comes power-packed with features, inside-out. As MG’s first offering in India, the Hector demonstrates our commitment to provide the best cars to Indian customers, that they love and appreciate.”

Rajeev Chaba, President & Managing Director, MG Motor India.

I loved it! When can I get one?

MG Motor India will begin shipping of the Hector within the next few weeks to its widespread network of 120 outlets across 50 cities. They aim to expand their network to 250 outlets by the end of September this year. Pre-orders of Hector will begin next month, mostly on the day of the launch. The dates will be announced within the next couple of weeks.

The Hector will roll out from the Halol manufacturing facility. MG Motor India has invested INR 2,200 crores so far to rebuild it. (This belonged to General Motors/Chevrolet previously who sold it to MG Motors India when they shut shop). They have established an all new assembly line, press shop, body shop, parts distribution center, testing track and a new state-of-the-art training facility in the plant. All this within a short span of 18 months. MG’s Halol plant currently has a production capacity of 80,000 units per annum. The car maker has also set up measures to pursue aggressive localization for its vehicles.

Should I go for MG?

MG Motor India is a future-ready organization. The company has also invested INR 150 crores to purchase a corporate office in Gurgaon. This corporate office also has MG Motors’ first showroom for North India.

MG looks like it is serious and here to stay. Wait for a detailed review after the launch from various automobile media houses and then make a decision I think. But I can say this for sure, the MG Hector is a promising package. It may very well shake up the market. The only thing that may – but shouldn’t – matter is that MG Motors isn’t technically a British brand any more. Since it became part of the SAIC Motors Corporation after its acquisition, it is now a Chinese brand. I will say let it not be a deal breaker. We can keep this aside.

About MG Motor India

Founded in the UK in 1924, Morris Garages vehicles were world famous for their sports cars, roadsters, and cabriolet series. MG vehicles were much sought after by many celebrities, even the British Royal Family, for their styling, elegance, and spirited performance. The MG Car Club, set up in 1930 at Abingdon in the UK, has more than a million loyal fans, making it by far one of the world’s largest clubs for a car brand. MG has evolved into a modern, futuristic and innovative brand over the last 95 years. With plans to soon introduce its brand of vehicles in the Indian market, MG Motor India has commenced its manufacturing operations at its car manufacturing plant at Halol in Gujarat. The first of these modern MG cars – “HECTOR” will be made available to the Indian customers in the second quarter of this year.

Get more info on the MG Hector here:

MG Hector Brochure: http://bit.ly/mghectorbrochure

iSMART Brochure: http://bit.ly/mgismartbrochure

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