A new victor

MG Motor is aiming to disrupt the mid-size SUV space with yet another contender for the segment. It’s the ZS EV’s petrol-powered version and here’s our first impression of the car

- Abhik Das

MG Motor’s naming strategy is starting to show a pattern here, just in case you didn’t notice the pun in the headline but it’s their strategy to compete in the market that’s more evident now. The Indian car buyer is possibly one of the most demanding, so much so that a lot of what can or cannot be successful is entirely dictated by the buyer. Some manufacturers have moulded their offerings to satisfy this buyer while others have misinterpreted the requirements in an attempt to change the market trend only to have risked failure. MG stepped into this market in a segment that they knew they’re good at. The mid-sized SUV segment is hotly contested for top honours and MG knew that one sureshot way of grabbing eyeballs and pocketing bookings is to offer way more than the competition. The Hector did just that but MG’s foolproof recipe of success is to pull a double whammy with another car in the segment, differentiating the Astor with the tag of being premium. Only, MG actually means it and it’s the core feeling you get right from looking at it for the first time.

The MG Astor retains the silhouette of the MG ZS EV albeit in a brand new form with the MG celestial grille that dominates the front end and looks stellar. This is complemented by new sleek LED headlamps and DRLs along with a re-designed front bumper. The side profile remains the same as the ZS EV but adds new 17-inch alloy wheels and the rear is complete with LED tail lamps and a sporty bumper with bold badgings on the tailgate. The design is contemporary and uses the compact, SUV-crossover theme well to stand out of the ever increasing population of cars in this popular segment. It’s an attractive car that departs from the Hector’s design language and looks smashing in this black exterior paint.