MG Astor Facelift spied directly after its teaser

June 20th, 2023

Recently Morris Garages released the teaser for its new MG Astor Facelift SUV, it is expected to get new cosmetic tweaks and features upon its release. Today a test mule of the SUV was seen traveling on the roads of Vadodara, while being heavily covered in camouflage we were still able to uncover interesting details about the car.

External Cues from Spy Shots

The general layout and proportions of the Astor are made apparent by the spy photos. The Astor's rear part is visible, and wraparound LED taillamps give the impression that the back is broader than it is. The rear bumper also has various lighting components that give it a dynamic appearance and might be the brake light strip.

While we couldn’t click the front shot of the SUV it is expected to share the same front fascia as the MG VS Hybrid which has launched in Thailand recently. The facelifted MG Astor is expected to get a completely reworked fascia, where the large and rounded grille has been replaced by a sleek and sharper, horizontally stretched grille. The front bumper is also new and now supports a unique diamond pattern with larger air intakes on the sides.

The SUV seems to have roof rails and a built-in roof spoiler. The Astor has a sharper appearance than its previous model thanks to the front's revised front bumper and very svelte LED headlights. The front grille may resemble the modified Hector's and include chrome dots and a sizable MG emblem in the middle.

Interior

While the external look of the car remains the same, the main changes are to be found in the inside of the car, MG Astor is going to receive a new instrument cluster an electric hatch door, intelligent turn signals, an auto lock/unlock feature, and ambient lighting as well.

The SUV is also expected to get an extra large 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system from the Hector, the updated touchscreen display will also support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity along with a new OS and refreshed interface.

Safety Features

MG takes safety extremely seriously, we anticipate six airbags, ABS with EBD and ESC, hill-start assist, tire pressure monitoring, and a host of other features that can be taken from the larger Hector. MG will need to outfit its Astor with a tone of goodies if it wants to compete with vehicles like the Hyundai Creta.

Engine and Specifications

Since the MG Astor will only be available in petrol, there may be two available powertrains. A 1.5-liter normally aspirated engine with 106 horsepower and 141 pound-feet of torque as well as a 1.3-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with 125 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque are also possible. Most likely, either a 6-speed manual or an automated gearbox will be paired with these engines. Like the Thailand version of the car, we could expect a Hybrid version sometime in the future as well.

Pricing and Rivalry

The current Astor is priced between 10.26 lakh to 18.00 lakh, considering its facelift version, it could likely cost more than it is right now. Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos are two of the brand's more well-known competitors, but the future Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun might pose a serious threat because of how aggressively they would price their goods owing to extensive localization. Regarding its launch, it is likely to come around the end of 2023 or the beginning of 2024.

CARVERSAL