Aman AhmedSeptember 20, 2021 8:26:47 PM
After a terrible start at Hector, MG is the newest product, MG Astor, which is focused on one of the most profitable but competitive vehicle segments in the country. In just over two years, MG launched three models in India with varying degrees of success and Astor is poised to take things to the next level. It’s not easy to battle giants in the form of Hyundai Creta or Chiaseltos, but MG played high-tech cards and outfitted asters segment first to unit the competition.
MG Astor: design and styling
Aster is of course already known – after all, it has known its fully electric version of the renamed gasoline-powered version from ZS India since 2020. The MGZSSUV has been on the world market for several years, so not entirely new and the era is reflected in the design, but it’s not very impressive. That said, aster is pleasing to the eye. It’s well balanced and there aren’t any bad angles. It’s basically a ZS (and the boot lid badge confirms it) but thanks to the mesmerizing Indian “sky” grille, new LED headlights and taillights, Aster’s face is ZSEV’s. The front bumper has been redesigned and is very different from.
Astor is MG’s fourth launch for the Indian market. Image: Tech2 / Amaan Ahmed
Ride on a 17-inch “turbine-inspired” alloy (with a spicy red caliper unique to the turbo version), the Aster has a planted stance, and its silhouette is rounder and more crossover-like. is. Well, the exterior badges (six in total) are a little over the top, and the two fake exhaust outlets built into the rear bumper (with their own fake diffuser) might not be everyone’s favorite, but anyway, Aster is a good looking SUV. with the right colors, it will surely attract a lot of attention.
The asters are balanced in profile, and turbine alloys and red calipers add to the excitement. Image: Tech2 / Amaan Ahmed
In terms of paper numbers, Aster is longer, taller, and wider than Crete, Seltos, Skodakshak, and the nearest Volkswagen Rout, but the wheelbase is shorter than all four (2,585mm). Exact trunk capacity hasn’t been revealed yet, but stacking heavy items can be a chore due to the high loading sills, but the asters are relatively wide and deep trunks.
Astor boots are relatively wide and deep, but have a high loading sill. Image: Tech2 / Amaan Ahmed
MG Astor: interior and equipment
With almost every product so far, MG has tried to captivate buyers with its robust, intelligently equipped interior. Astor is no exception. Most of what you touch when stepping on the Aster feels high quality, like the soft-touch material on the top of the dashboard and the leather trimmings. The Maroon on Black color scheme is new, but it can be an acquired taste. MG is also smart about offering beige on black and all black options.
The black and maroon scheme has an acquired taste. High quality material for hyphens. Image: MG
The dashboard itself is familiar with ZSEV, but with an independent 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system (slightly inclined towards the driver), the second 7.0-inch device forms a fully digital instrumentation. There’s an ad. Although it could only be clearly experienced in the showcase, the touchscreen was readable and responsive and could be partially adapted. The colors and graphics on both screens are sharp and intelligent. Prospective buyers will be pleased that both screens are included as standard with Astor. The interior is reasonably good for both the front passenger and front passenger seats. However, the back seat of the Astor is ideal for two adults. This is because the middle passenger is likely to be crushed and the distinctive transmission tunnel hump cuts into the all-important footwell.
There’s a lot of space in the back seats, but it gets a bit tight for three adults. Image: Tech2 / Amaan Ahmed
Astor is installed in the equipment – automatic air conditioning, 6-way power adjustment in the driver’s seat, panoramic sliding roof, ORVM heating, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connections (not wireless), air purifier, electric parking brake, automatic windscreen wipers, over 80 networked vehicle functions, including front and rear armrests, rear air conditioning nozzles and app-based “digital keys”. The last of them starts with unlocking the SUV via bluetooth and provides the owner with access and convenience in case the owner forgets the vehicle key. Add a layer. The safety kit includes 6 airbags, traction control, electronic stability control and hill descent aid.
Similar to the 10.1-inch infotainment screen, a 7.0-inch display is standard in a digital instrument cluster. Image: Tech2 / Amaan Ahmed
But the party piece at Astor is his proud assistant in the car. This little robot, which is said to be equipped with artificial intelligence, is one of the world’s first SAIC vehicles to be mounted on the Astor dashboard and to do this with the help of a directional microphone from the driver and front passenger seats. Receives voice commands. Activated by a simple “Hello Astor” prompt (such as “OK Google”) and turned towards the person giving the command. It also uses simple emojis to add a human touch to the interaction. In addition to performing basic vehicle functions such as opening and closing sunroofs or windows, wizards can also pass on information on almost any topic via Wikipedia. If you’re wondering no, you can’t get into it from the back seat.
The assistant in the car uses a directional microphone to quickly respond to commands. Image: Tech2 / Amaan Ahmed
During my time at Astor, the assistant worked almost smoothly, so that important functions could be carried out easily. Unfortunately, the exchange is not yet an exact conversation. The assistant is approached by Padma Shri award winner and Paralympic athlete Deepa Malik, and the answer sounds pretty flat and robotic. The assistant hears and understands the commands very precisely, but the overall experience is not that different from using the voice command function in other vehicles. The good news is that MG can change and improve the wizard and user experience over time by issuing wireless updates.
Astor’s Level 2 ADAS required 5 radars and 6 cameras. Image: Tech2 / Amaan Ahmed
Another USP from Astor is the addition of the First Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) segment. In contrast to the ADAS Level 1 of the flagship MG Gloucester SUV, this is ADAS “Level 2”, also the first time for MG. In addition to the hygienic ADAS functions such as adaptive cruise control, front collision warning and automatic emergency braking, Astern offer lane departure warning, lane departure warning, lane departure prevention and intelligent headlight control (lowers the headlight beam when an oncoming vehicle is detected). Also equipped. Rear Cross Traffic Alert (to help the driver safely withdraw from the parking lot) and Speed Assist (recognize speed limit signs on the roadside and adjust cruise control accordingly). To enable these functions, Astor is equipped with 5 midrange radars and a total of 6 cameras. The owner can also adjust the sensitivity of these systems or switch them off entirely via the infotainment system. MG is confident that ADAS Level 2 will bring a whole new level of comfort and safety to drivers and vehicle occupants, but when driving with asters, these systems are in the real world. I just know how well it works.
MG Astor: engine and transmission options
At the front of the powertrain, the MG Astor seems to lack the option. Currently, Aster is a gasoline-only product and you have two options to choose from. A 1.5-liter 4-cylinder unit (optionally with a 5-speed manual gearbox or an 8-speed CVT automatic) delivers 110 hp and 144. A powerful 1.4-liter turbo gasoline engine with Nm torque and 140 PS and 220 Nm torque (only available with the 6-speed automatic converter).
1.4-liter turbo gasoline engines are available for those who need more punchy options. Image: MG
Those numbers are roughly the same for the course, but Aster doesn’t have the same number of gear options as Crete and Seltos, but it lacks an important diesel engine option. The 1.5 liter diesels from Hyundai and Kia SUVs still have a lot of buyers, with almost 60% of Crete’s sales coming from the diesel version. It is not yet known how buyers will receive the diesel-free Astor.
MG Astor: price, launch, availability
When it launches in early October, the MG Astor is expected to cost 10-17 rupees (in front of the showroom), enabling it to compete with Crete, Seltos, Kushak and Taigun. Shipments are slated to begin shortly, but when market demand is high, waiting times can be long due to a shortage of semiconductors.
MG Astor prices are expected to be in the range of 10-17 rupees (in front of the showroom).
Overall, Astor looks like a promising entry into this segment that could lead to a significant increase in MG volume. Yes, assistants are feeling the gimmick beyond the point, and the lack of powertrain options may be a procrastination for some, but Astor is a real threat to segment leaders in other departments. I wholeheartedly hope to be.
With ADAS and In-Car Assistant, MG Hyundai’s newest destination is Creta and Chiaseltos-Technology News, Firstpost
Source Link With ADAS and In-Car Assistant, MG Hyundai’s newest destination is Creta and Chiaseltos-Technology News, Firstpost
