MG Hector to launch in India this summer

- The MG Hector will have its own operating system and will receive over-the-air (OTA) updates.

- It will be the first connected SUV in India.

- The Hector will be the most feature-loaded SUV in its segment.

MG Motor India is all set to unveil the internet capabilities of the upcoming Hector on 2 April. The MG Hector will be launched in India this summer, possibly in May. Ahead of its launch, the company has released a teaser video of the Hector that is seen performing its duties in extremely humid conditions.

MG Motor India has appointed British actor Benedict Cumberbatch as the brand ambassador for MG in India. Preceding its launch, the SUV has been spied testing in India on numerous occasions. The Hector shares its underpinnings with the Baojun 530 and the Thai-spec 2019 Chevrolet Captiva. MG Motor India is billing it to be India’s first connected SUV that will have internet capabilities.

The MG Hector will come equipped with a first-in-segment 10-inch infotainment system and a largest-in-class panoramic sunroof. The teaser video also confirms that the Hector will feature remote keyless entry and an auto day/night IRVM. On the exterior front, the SUV will get quad-LED projector headlamps, a honeycomb mesh grille and LED taillights.

Another USP of the MG Hector is that it will be the only car in India to feature its own operating system unless Hyundai launches the QXi compact SUV. The SUV will also get an eSIM card, which will connect the Hector to its India-based servers and provide essential information like car health status, biometrics, traffic information, AI assistance, navigation and over-the-air (OTA) updates.

As far as powertrains are concerned, the MG Hector will use a Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre Multijet diesel motor and an in-house developed 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine. While the exact power figures of the oil burner aren’t revealed yet, the engine develops 170 bhp/350 Nm on the Jeep Compass and 140 bhp/350 Nm on the Tata Harrier. On the other hand, the gasoline motor produces 149 bhp and 250 Nm. Both the engines will be mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, while six-speed DCT will be offered as an option.