What you should know about MG Hector SUV

Morris Garages Motor has pitted its latest entrant, the Hector, in the highly competitive sports utility vehicle (SUV).

The Hector was unveiled on Tuesday and will be launched in June.

With a host of options already having hit the Indian market, MG Motor appears to be making internet connectivity and other apps the SUV has its selling point in the segment that has several players with good specifications and reputation. They are calling it the ‘Internet Car’.

MG Motor calls it the iSmart Next Gen, which is an integrated solution in which the 10.4-inch head unit is the control centre. The iSmart has connectivity solutions, maps, navigation services, voice assistant, pre-loaded infotainment content, emergency services and several other features. The car stays connected to the internet through an Airtel SIM that is embedded. This system will thus get over the air (OTA) updates.

Some of the interesting apps that are built in are Gaana music app, Accuweather, iSmart mobile app for car various functions, customer experience and data stored on Adobe Experience Cloud. MG Motor says there are more than 50 connected car features.

The Hector will be available in three engine choices – a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol hybrid with a six-speed manual transmission, a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine with six-speed manual/ dual clutch automatic transmission and a 2-litre turbocharged diesel version with a six-speed manual transmission.

The petrol engine puts out 143 ps of power and 250 Nm of torque, while the diesel mill can produce 170 ps of power and a whopping 350 Nm of torque.

Hector claims that the 48V mild hybrid version, only one of the few in the Indian market, increases fuel economy by 12 per cent and carbon dioxide emission by 11 per cent.

Other features include six airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system, hill hold control, rear disc brakes, ABD with EBD and brake assist, electronic stability control program, traction control and electric parking brakes. MG Motor has also included front parking sensors and a 360-degree camera view, both of which MG Motor says are a first in this segment. The Hector also includes a dual-pane panoramic sunroof and child seat anchors.

When it comes to exterior design, it looks rather stylish with the front grille with a chrome accent. The narrow LED headlamps give the Hector a sleek look, while the floating turn indicators, LED daylight running lamps and general design gives it a very sophisticated look.

Luxurious as the interiors are, some interesting features of the Hector are eight-colour ambient lighting, seven-coloured speedometer/ rev counter console that also indicates other car parameters.

The pricing of the Hector has not been announced yet, but there is speculation that it will be in the Rs 15-20 lakh range.

The Hector will compete with the Hyundai Creta (Rs 9.99-15.65 lakh), Tata Harrier (Rs 12.69-16.25 lakh), Mahindra XUV500 (Rs 12.30-18.51 lakh), Jeep Compass (Rs 15.6-23.11 lakh) and Hyundai Tucson (Rs 18.74-26.95 lakh). All prices are indicative and ex-showroom.