MG Motor India has launched the Astor SUV at a starting price of Rs 9.78 Lakhs (Ex. Showroom, India) in the country. The buyers can pre-reserve test drive for the SUV by either visiting MG dealerships or online from today. MG Astor bookings will start from October 21, 2021 while deliveries are expected to commence in November 2021 in the Indian market. Being available across four trim levels namely Style, Super, Smart, and Sharp, it debuts India’s first personal AI assistant and first-in-segment Autonomous (Level 2) technology.
Being based on MG's 'Emotional Dynamism' global design philosophy, MG Astor flaunts a bold 'Celestial' front grille and Hawk-Eye shaped LED headlamps while riding on Turbine-inspired 17-inch alloy wheels. The British brand is offering the SUV with a standard 3-3-3 package which includes warranty of three years/unlimited kilometers, three years of Roadside Assistance and three Labor-Free periodic services. In addition, the Astor customers can choose and personalize their ownership package with warranty extension and protect plans via the MY MG Shield program. As far as cost of ownership is concerned, it is only 47 paise per kilometer up to one lakh kilometers. MG has also introduced a segment first 3-60 program under which customers will get 60% of the Astor’s ex-showroom price after three years of purchase.
The AI powered personal assistant in MG Astor depicts human-like emotions while renowned Paralympic athlete Deepa Malik has lent it her voice. The AI technology in Astor is developed around MG’s vision of Car-as-a-Platform (CAAP) of possibilities. It gets 80+ internet features as part of the MG i-SMART technology including maps and navigation with MapMyIndia, Jio connectivity, the first-of-its-kind Blockchain-protected vehicle digital passport by KoineArth, Music on the JioSaavn app, and an industry-first feature of reserving a parking slot through a head unit (powered by Park+, select cities to begin with) and access to unlimited information with Wikipedia.
As for the first-in-segment Autonomous (Level 2) technology, it uses AI technology, six radars and five cameras to provide 14 advanced features. Some of the notable features include 6 airbags, 6-way power-adjustable driver seats, electric parking brake, heated ORVM, rain-sensing wiper, PM 2.5 filter, panoramic sky roof, rear AC vent and front and rear armrest, 10.1-inch HD infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto and 7-inch fully digital instrument cluster. Mechanically, MG Astor is available with the 1.5L VTi Tech petrol engine which delivers top power of 108 bhp and peak torque of 144 Nm while offered with a manual transmission & an 8-speed CVT automatic unit. The top variants get a 1.3L Brit Dynamic 220 TURBO petrol engine with an exclusive 6-speed auto unit with 220 Nm of torque and 138 bhp of power.