MG Hector Plus launch is on track, and will be launched by July / August period
As lockdown restrictions have started to ease down, life is slowly getting back to normal in the automotive world too. Factories have restarted production, showrooms have started to open up and deliveries of vehicles have commenced. Also, it seems that R&D facilities have resumed their operations as test mules have started to appear in their natural habitat, the roads.
Automotive enthusiast Poorwang Desai recently spotted a heavily camouflaged test mule of the MG Hector Plus testing near MG’s Halol plant near Vadodara. It is to be noted that MG had unveiled this larger Hector at the 2020 Auto Expo back in February. MG had plans to launch the SUV in H2 and as per company’s latest communication, the plans are still on track (despite the lockdown).
Talking about the Hector Plus, as the name suggests, it is based upon MG’s popular Hector SUV. However it gets an additional, third row of seats, making room for 2 additional people (both 6 & 7 seater versions will be available). Dimension-wise it happens to be 40mm longer than the standard Hector, which has helped to open up more space for the rear occupants.
Aesthetically, the two cars look very similar. In case one wants to distinguish between the two, then the easiest way to do so is by looking at the badge on the rear-door. Otherwise, one can also focus on body parts like the new large chrome grille on the front, updated front bumper and fog lamps, redesigned rear bumper and tail lamps etc.
On the inside too, the Hector Plus looks almost identical to the regular Hector. Dashboard layout and equipment levels are same. Seating layout obviously changes due to the additional row of seats. Customers will have an option to choose between a 6-seater version with captain seats in the middle or a regular 7-seater version with standard bench seat on the second row.
Under the hood, there will be no mechanical change between the Hector and Hector Plus. Hector Plus will continue with Hector’s powertrain lineup. Engine options will include a 1.5 litre turbo petrol motor and a 2 litre diesel engine. The petrol motor dishes out 143 hp & 250 Nm of peak torque and the diesel unit churns out 170 hp & 350 Nm of max torque. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual gearbox and a 6-speed dual clutch unit (available with non-hybrid petrol variant).
Had the Corona Virus outbreak not happened, there are chances that the bookings could have commenced by now. However, as the lockdown restrictions have started to ease down, we are hopeful that the launch will go as per plan. Major competitor of the Hector Plus will be cars like XUV500, Tata Gravitas and upcoming 7-seater version of the Hyundai Creta. Pricing of the SUV will be a little higher than the standard Hector, thanks to the additional room on offer.