There was a constant buzz among car enthusiasts and buyers about the MG Hector from MG (Morris Garages) Motor. And finally the company today revealed the commercial production version of the much awaited SUV to a jam packed audience in Mumbai. Promoted as India’s First Internet Car, the MG Hector has all that it takes to set the sales charts on fire when it goes on sale next month.
Designed and developed for Indian customers, the Hector has been built to withstand extreme road conditions and has been tested for over one million kilometers in India before entering its production phase. The SUV is bound to have a adequate road presence – thanks to its large dimensions and aggressive front design, including the full-LED lighting. The MG Hector also boasts of the longest wheelbase and the largest cargo space in its segment.
MG’s Halol plant currently has a production capacity of 80,000 units per annum. The company has invested INR 2,200 crores in the Halol plant to roll out its first product. MG Motor has established an all new assembly line, press shop, body shop, parts distribution centre, testing track and a new state-of-the-art training facility in the plant.
Speaking at the unveil, Rajeev Chaba, President & Managing Director, MG Motor India said, “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.”
The Hector will be available in both petrol and diesel engines, right from its launch next month. The 1.5 litre turbo-charged petrol engine delivers 143 PS power at a peak torque of 250 Nm and will be available in both manual and automatic transmissions. Its 2.0 litre diesel engine will deliver 170 PS at a peak torque of 350 Nm, with best-in-class fuel efficiency. The Hector will also be the first car with a sophisticated 48-volt mild-hybrid architecture in its segment that will provide extra power, additional torque and better fuel efficiency.
While goodies in the MG Hector include a 10.4 inch HD touchscreen, 360-degree view camera, four-way power adjustable co-driver’s seat, panoramic sunroof, heated wing mirros, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, mood lighting, tyre pressure monitoring system, automatic tailgate, etc.; on the safety front the SUV offers dual airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, traction control, rear parking sensors and all 4 disc brakes as standard fitment.
When launched next month, the MG Hector will rub shoulders with the Jeep Compass and Tata Harrier. The company already has a network of 120 outlets across 50 cities. It aims to expand its network to 250 outlets by the end of September this year. Pre-orders of Hector will begin next month; the dates will be announced within the next couple of weeks.
