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Tag: Suv

  • New Flagship SUV From Audi Reveiled

    New Flagship SUV From Audi Reveiled

    The new Audi SQ8 breaks cover! It is the new flagship SUV from Audi and it gets a massive 4.0-liter V8 turbo-diesel engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. The V8 pumps out a mind-boggling 900 Nm of peak torque. The SUV gets an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Audi hasn’t revealed the power figures yet. The Audi SQ8’s 48-volt mild-hybrid makes up to 10 bhp under braking lets the SQ8 coast for up to 40 seconds without the engine being active, at speeds between 55 kmph to 160 kmph. Also, the diesel engine turns of one of the two turbo-chargers at city speeds to increase the efficiency as well. The Audi SQ8 has a 0-100 kmph sprint time of 4.8 kmph and a top speed of 250 kmph which is electronically limited.

    Built on the Volkswagen Group’s MLB platform, the Audi SQ8 can also be specified with an optional suspension package which also includes a sport differential and an adaptive air suspension. The air suspension can adjust the ride height of the SQ8 by up to 90 mm. The other feature is the electromechanical active roll stabilization which reduces body roll when cornering hard. Audi also offers all-wheel steering as an option on the SQ8.

    As far as looks are concerned, the Audi SQ8 gets a new grille with a silver frame along with re-designed air inlets. The rear end of the car gets a new diffuser in black color and gets quad exhaust tips. The cabin gets Alcantara leather upholstery along with ‘S’ logos embossed on the seats and stainless steel pedals. The Audi SQ8 also gets two touchscreens and the Audi Virtual Cockpit with displays specific to the SQ8.

  • Land Rover Discovery Launched In India

    Land Rover Discovery Launched In India

    Jaguar Land Rover India has launched the 2-liter diesel variant of the 2019 Land Rover Discovery in India and prices start from ₹ 75.18 lakh (ex-showroom India). The 2019 Discovery is available in S, SE, HSE & HSE Luxury trim, The new diesel engine churns out 237 bhp while torque figures stand at 500 Nm. This advanced engine is the first Jaguar Land Rover powerplant to feature series sequential turbo technology to deliver its additional thrust.

    The 7 seater Discovery is feature rich and comes with features like electrically reclining seats, intelligent Seat Fold, four-zone climate control, powered third-row seats, a panoramic sunroof, cabin air ionization, 360 Degree surround camera, adaptive cruise control, protect and remote. It also gets the best in class off-road capability because of the approach and departure angle as also the ramp angle.

    The Land Rover Discovery has a water wading depth capability of 900 mm and a 3500 kg towing capacity, all of which makes it a very capable and versatile SUV.

    Rohit Suri, President & Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover India Ltd. (JLRIL), said, “The Discovery’s unmatched capability and versatility has now been enhanced with the introduction of the high powered Ingenium diesel variant at an attractive price that we believe will enable the Discovery to appeal to a wider customer base.”

  • MG eZS Electric SUV Will Be Made In India

    MG eZS Electric SUV Will Be Made In India

    MG Motor has announced that it will be manufacturing its pure electric SUV, the MG eZS, in India, at its plant in Halol, Gujarat. The MG eZS will be one of the first ever fully electric SUVs in India when it is launched. The eZS will be MG’s second launch in India after the upcoming MG Hector. The company further said that its electric vehicles will get over-the-air (OTA) technology and would go over 300 km in a single charge from its lithium-ion battery. MG is yet to announce the exact specifications for the eZS.

    By the end of 2019, MG Will have a total of 120 sales and service outlets across India and the company said it will also reach out to Indian target audience and educate them about electric vehicles and look to address issues such as range anxiety and charging infrastructure. Like the MG Hector, the eZS will also feature MG’s iSmart Next-Gen connected technology.

    “The MG eZS, as one of the first locally produced global EVs, will mark a new chapter in environment-friendly mobility in India. We are delighted to be one of the first carmakers to enter this space in India. We aim to bring accessible electric motoring to the customers in India upon its introduction by the end of this year,” said Rajeev Chaba, President and Managing Director, MG Motor India.

    Till date, MG Motor India has made an investment of ₹ 2,200 crores at its Halol plant. The company has installed an all-new assembly line, a press shop, a body shop, a parts distribution center, a testing track along with a new training facility in the plant. MG has also set up a vendor park in and around the plant so as to increase the localization content for upcoming MG models.

  • New Skoda Superb Scout Cross-Estate Unveiled

    New Skoda Superb Scout Cross-Estate Unveiled

    Jacked up Estate body types have found preference among car buyers. These cars are more practical than their sedan counterpart and luxury carmakers like Mercedes, Audi and Volvo have one such model in their portfolio. Volkswagen too has the Passat Alltrack and now even Skoda has added the new Superb Scout which is essentially a cross-estate version of the Skoda Superb.

    The new Skoda Superb Scout is different from the Skoda Combi Estate which was sold in Europe. It looks rugged equipped with matte black body claddings and also gets larger 18-inch alloy wheels while 19-inches are optional. The ground clearance is up by 15 mm and there are subtle body enhancements in the profiling in a bid to add to the rugged appeal. The roof rails and window frames are chrome-plated, and the wing mirror housings shine in an aluminum look and there are special SCOUT badges as well. The elongated body style and other additions have also made the Superb Scout heavier than the Superb sedan and it tips the scale at 2200 kg.

    On the inside, the Skoda Superb Scout is finished in special wood-effect decorative strips that bear the Scout logo just like on the front seats. The seat covers are finished in fabric with contrasting stitching and the Alcantara leather seats with brown contrasting stitching are optional. The front seats are heated and are available with new piping in a contrasting color. The central display is fitted with additional offroad screens and the driver is greeted by a special, Scout specific, welcome logo on the display when entering the car. The front passenger seat can be electrically adjusted from the rear and the optional Sleep package provides larger headrests and a blanket, like the ones we have seen in the Kodiaq. It goes without saying that the Scout gets a larger boot than the Superb with a capacity of 660 to 1,950 l. The tailgate can be electrically operated and it can also be opened using the foot-gesture command.

    The Skoda Superb Scout will be offered with two tried and tested engine options. First is the 2.0-litre four-cylinder, TDI diesel engine which puts out 197 bhp and 400 Nm of peak torque and is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, TSI petrol motor is also on offer. In the Superb scout, this engine is tuned to churn out 268 bhp and 350 Nm of peak torque and is mated to also mated to the seven-speed DSG gearbox. These are the same engine options we have seen in a range of VW Group cars. However, highlight here is the off-road mode which activates the all-wheel-drive system. It also comes with a rough road package which is a standard fitment and provides underbody protection for the engine along with the undercarriage. The ride is further complemented with the driving modes which work in conjunction with the Dynamic Chassis Control.

  • Uber announces major Black and Black SUV enhancements

    Uber announces major Black and Black SUV enhancements

    Uber Black and Uber Black SUV, the original luxury experiences, are getting consistent improvements in the United States this week. Apparently, many customers have requested top-notch service and premium comfort when using these experiences, and Uber has decided to finally deliver.

    When you request an Uber Black or Black SUV, you will now be able to access premium phone support with live agents in case you need something else. Also, these luxury services will now offer a little bit more extra time to get to the car when unexpected delays emerge.

    A brand new Quiet Mode is now available as well, which means that if you need to respond to emails or want to simply take a nap (?!), you can select that from within the Uber app and the driver won’t bother you. However, if you’re in the mood to chat, you can select that option too.

    Furthermore, a new Temperature Control feature will communicate your optimal temperature to the driver before you enter the vehicle. Also, if you need help with your luggage, you can let your driver know via the Uber app.

    According to the ride-sharing company, all the premium features including Quiet Mode, help with luggage, temperature control, extended pickup periods and premium support will be available to 100% of US Uber Black and Uber Black SUV riders on May 15.

  • Peugeot manufacturing plant debuts in Quảng Nam

    Peugeot manufacturing plant debuts in Quảng Nam

    The Trường Hải Automobile Corporation (Thaco) in co-operation with French car manufacturer Peugeot Group (PSA) officially inaugurated a new manufacturing plant and rolled out two made-in-Vietnam models – the Traveller Luxury and Traveller Premium – in the central province of Quảng Nam yesterday.

    The luxury European car brand’s plant, which cost VNĐ4.5 trillion (nearly US$200 million), was designed with a total capacity of 20,000 cars per year for domestic use and export.

    The general director of Thaco Phạm Văn Tài said the plant was thanks to the relationship that had been built between Thaco and Peugeot since 2013.

    “The newest Peugeot models follow the successful introduction of SUVs  Peugeot 3008 and 5008 in Việt Nam. The plant is equipped with modern production lines and updated automation technology to meet the luxury brand’s standards under the supervision of French technical experts,” he said.

    He also added that 4,500 Peugeot 3008 and 5008 were sold in Vietnam in 2018, leading the European luxury car brand segment in the domestic market.

    General director and CEO of PSA Laurence Noel said the introduction of the Peugeot Traveller marked an important step in the development of Peugeot and positive co-operation with Thaco.

    She said the debut of the two models was a result of the latest interest in the newest French car brand in Vietnam after the successful debut of the SUV models.

    She said the Peugeot Traveller had made an impressive start in the European and global markets after it was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2016.

    Laurence also said the latest made-in-Vietnam MPVs conformed to the strict control standards of the PSA and network of PSA plants around the world.

    Thaco has been an exclusive agent for the French car giant’s return to the local market in 2014.

    The local manufacturer has already opened 13 Peugeot showrooms with 3S (sales-services-spare parts) facilities across the country.

    Thaco has produced and distributed vehicles for Kia from South Korea, Mazda from Japan, Peugeot and BMW.

    The local carmaker has invested VNĐ17.478 trillion (US$773 million) to build an agricultural and forestry industrial park, the expansion of the Thaco-Chu Lai Mechanical Automotive Industrial Park, the new wharf at Chu Lai-Trường Hải Port and residential quarters for workers in Quảng Nam Province’s Chu Lai Open Economic Zone (OEZ).

    It has also built 32 automobile manufacturing and support industry plants in the OEZ, creating 8,000 jobs and contributing $700 million to the provincial budget each year.

  • Hyundai Venue Bags Over 2000 Bookings In Just One Day

    Hyundai Venue Bags Over 2000 Bookings In Just One Day

    The soon-to-be-launched Hyundai Venue SUV has garnered over 2000 bookings in India in just one day. It was just yesterday, on May 2, that the company announced opening pre-bookings for the new subcompact SUV in India. Slated to be launched on May 21, 2019, the new Hyundai Venue is the first subcompact SUV from the South Korean carmaker, and it will rival the likes of Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Mahindra XUV300, Ford Ecosport, and Tata Nexon. Customers can book the new Venue online on the company’s website or at Hyundai dealerships across India, for a token of ₹ 21,000. Few Hyundai dealers have been accepting bookings for the Venue from mid-April itself.

    The new Hyundai Venue will be offered in four variants and three engine options. While the variant details are still unknown, the SUV will come powered by an all-new 1.0-litre Turbo petrol engine, along with the tried and tested 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol and the 1.4-litre diesel engine. The new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder Turbocharged engine will also get the option of a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, while the 1.2 petrol and 1.4 diesel will come with a 5-speed and 6-speed manual gearbox, respectively.

    Visually, the Hyundai Venue comes with new design and styling, more in line with the company’s international SUV like the new Santa Fe and Palisade. The features list includes – a cascading grille with chrome detailing, projector headlamps with LED DRLs, high mounted indicators, and projector foglamps. The SUV also gets a set of new sporty 16-inch alloys, roof rails, and LED taillamps with Z cluster patterns. Hyundai will offer the SUV in 7 exterior colour options- Denim Blue, Lava Orange and Deep Forest along with three Dual Tone options.

    The Venue gets a new, fresh-looking all-black cabin with a new steering wheel, a well-laid-out dashboard, and nice fit and finish. For your comfort and convenience, the SUV also gets remote engine start/stop, remote climate control, voice recognition, vehicle relationship management, electric sunroof, cruise control, automatic climate control, rear AC vents, cornering lamps, and a cooled glovebox. This is in addition to an 8-inch floating touchscreen display, loaded with Apple Carplay, Android Auto, navigation and more.

    The new Hyundai Venue is the first connected car in its segment thanks to the BlueLink connectivity system. The system offers 10 India-only features with a total of 33 connectivity features including geo-fencing, speed alerts, SOS, panic notifications, destination sharing, and road-side assistance and so on.

  • Mercedes-AMG Cars Will Be Electrified From 2021

    Mercedes-AMG Cars Will Be Electrified From 2021

    Electric performance car is not an alien concept anymore. In fact, prominent carmakers like Automobili Pininfarina and Rimac are into the business of making only electric supercars. Electric Mobility is also believed to be the future of automobiles and this stands true even when we talk about performance cars. Mercedes is also thinking in this direction and has said that all its AMG cars will be electrified 2021 onwards.

    According to news reports, Tobias Moers, Head – Mercedes-AMG said that Mercedes-AMG models will be using an electrified V8 drivetrain in the future. The 4.0-litre V8 engine which powers a range of Mercedes-AMG cars will be coupled with a 48-volt electric motor which has been developed indigenously by the team. Initially, Mercedes was planning to use the new powertrain in the 63 engine only in the GLE and GLS SUVs. However, it will play a major role in the future as from 2021 all AMG cars will be launched with an electrified powertrain. Mercedes also believes that the share of electrified powertrains will be higher in the performance segments in 2025.

    We already know that AMG is also working on a high-performance hybrid system for its upcoming hypercar. The Mercedes-AMG One hypercar will use an electric motor driving its front wheels just like the AMG GT four-door concept. Moers also said that the setup will be offered in the 65 series AMG models and will replace the 6.0-litre V12 engine. However, the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged AMG engine won’t be converted into a hybrid system.

  • 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS Photos Leaked

    2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS Photos Leaked

    Official photographs of the new-generation Mercedes-Benz GLS SUV have been leaked ahead of its global debut at the 2019 New York Auto Show. The SUV will be manufactured at Mercedes’ plant in Alabama and will be launched in India sometime next year. As far as looks are concerned, the new GLS SUV sports a less aggressive design with fewer character lines. The front end still looks muscular with the creases on the bonnet and a new grille.

    The new GLS also comes with a set of new LED headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lamps. The bumper is also new and appears to come with large intakes on either end with an airdam and skid plate at the centre. What is also new is the fact that the new-gen SUV does not get the flared wheel arches from the outgoing model. While the silhouette remains more or less similar, the new-gen GLS gets cool looking slim LED tail-lamps, making for a classier look at the rear.

    From the sides, the SUV certainly looks bigger than ever with the additional claddings on the wheel arches, sportier alloy wheels and few other minor tweaks. Under the hood, the GLS is likely to get the same in-line six and V8 powertrains too which is seen in the S-Class including the GLS 600 which is likely to wear the ‘Maybach’ badge. Moreover, there will be also a 63 AMG version which will get a 4.0-litre, twin-turbo, V8 engine which is likely to belt out over 600 bhp.

    As far as interior is concerned, the overall design looks to be inspired by the GLE, with the same MBUX infotainment system, same steering wheel and the same design of the AC vents as well. We expect the GLS to be the true blue luxury barge as before and offer excellent comfort for third row passengers as well.

  • Maserati Levante Trofeo India Launch Details Out

    Maserati Levante Trofeo India Launch Details Out

    One of the most powerful production cars to come from Italian automaker Maserati, the Levante Trofeo SUV has been confirmed for India. We understand that the Maserati Levante Trofeo will be launched in India in June this year. Compared to the standard Levante that is already on sale here, the Trofeo packs in 590 bhp and a whopping 730 Nm of peak torque from its 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 motor, and has a top speed of 300 kmph, bringing it close to the likes of the Bentley Bentayga Speed and the Lamborghini Urus. The performance SUV was first unveiled globally at the New York Auto Show in 2018 and will be produced in limited numbers.

    Adding an aggressive touch to the SUV, the Maserati Levante Trofeo gets a sharper looking front with the revised grille, full-LED headlamps and a functional bonnet vents. The car comes with carbon fibre inserts to the rear and a side skirts further adding to the aggressive appeal apart from being functional additions. The Levante Trofeo rides on massive 22-inch forged aluminium alloy wheels, which are not only lighter than the stock version but also the largest fitted on a Maserati car. Internationally, the car is offered with a matte paint scheme that could be offered in India as well.

    Inside, the Maserati Levante Trofeo gets red, black and tan leather upholstered seats, while the ‘Trofeo’ badging is a reminder as to why this model is special. The carbon fibre treatment has been extended to the cabin as well with a number of inserts including the paddle-shifters for the ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission. Other upgrades include new variant-specific graphics for the instrument cluster and new design for the gear lever. The Levante comes equipped with a 1280 watt, 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound audio system as standard, while the touchscreen infotainment unit supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The car also gets Trofeo-specific ‘Corsa’ driving mode with a launch-control function and 50:50 weight distribution.

    Maserati claims an output/litre of 156 bhp/litre on the Levante Trofeo, which is the highest ever for any Maserati engine. As a result, the SUV can sprint from 0-100 kmph in just 3.9 seconds. The Levante Trofeo is produced at the automaker’s Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy. The model will be priced around the ₹ 3 crore (ex-showroom) mark.

  • MG eZS Electric SUV Unveiled Globally

    MG eZS Electric SUV Unveiled Globally

    MG Motor or Morris Garages took the wraps off its new pure electric SUV, the MG eZS. MG says that the international launch will happen soon and India will be getting it too before 2019 draws to a close. The MG eZS will be one of the first ever fully electric SUVs in India when it is launched. It will subsequently be launched in some other markets like the UK, Germany, Australia, Thailand and the Middle East. The eZS will be MG’s second launch in India after the upcoming MG Hector, which should be launched in the country in the next couple of the months.

    “With a modern design and advanced technology, the MG eZS will herald a new chapter in environment-friendly solutions in India. While the petrol version of the MG ZS had already become a popular choice globally, we are confident that its zero-emissions electric equivalent will bring accessible electric motoring to the customers in India upon its launch by the end of this year,” said Rajeev Chaba, President & Managing Director, MG Motor India. The company further shared that its electric vehicles would have over-the-air (OTA) technology and would go over 250 km in a single charge.

    By the end of 2019, MG Will have a total of 120 sales and service outlets across India and the company said it will also reach out to Indian target audience and educate them about electric vehicles and look to address issues such as range anxiety and charging infrastructure. Like the MG Hector, the eZS will also feature MG’s iSmart Next-Gen connected technology.

    Connectivity will be an important part of all MG vehicles and the upcoming MG Hector will come with a new advanced connectivity system called i-Smart next-generation system, a complete integrated solution that combines software, hardware, connectivity, services and application. The system has been developed in collaboration with several technological partners like Cisco, Unlimit, and Microsoft among others. The iSmart connectivity system comes with advanced technology, smart application, built-in Apps, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Smart Features, Voice Assist, and Infotainment.

  • Jeep Compass Sport Plus Launched In India

    Jeep Compass Sport Plus Launched In India

    The Tata Harrier has surely escalated the competition in the compact SUV segment and it has proved to be a strong product, especially at the price Tata Motors has launched it. The Jeep Compass is the obvious-first rival to the Harrier and the company has added a new Sport Plus variant to the range in a bid to compete against the Harrier. The Jeep Compass Sport Plus has been launched in India at ₹ 15.99 lakh for the petrol variant and ₹ 16.99 lakh for the diesel variant.

    The Sport Plus variant of the Compass has been positioned above the base Sport variant and is more feature-rich. The added exterior kit includes 16-inch alloy wheels finished in silver, black roof rails and rear parking sensors. The rear windscreen, pillars and window fringes are also finished in black. The cabin of the Jeep Compass Sport Plus trim will be equipped with a 5.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and dual-zone climate control which the base trim doesn’t get. We would have liked Jeep to also include the power folding wing mirrors which makes maneuvering through tight spots easy. However, safety kits such as dual front airbags, ABS, ESC and traction control are standard throughout the range.

    Mechanically the Compass Sport Plus remains identical to the base variant. The diesel is powered by the same 2.0-litre, four-cylinder Multijet turbo motor which makes 172 bhp and 350 Nm of peak torque and is mated to a six-speed gearbox as standard. The petrol is the 1.4-litre, four-cylinder MultiAir Turbo motor which develops 161 bhp and 250 Nm of peak torque and is also offered with an automatic gearbox, while the six-speed manual is standard.

    Other than the Harrier, the Jeep Compass Sport Plus will compete with the W4 variant of the Mahindra XUV500 and SX variant of the Hyundai Creta.

  • Volkswagen Teases Electric SUV

    Volkswagen Teases Electric SUV

    Volkswagen is all set to bring in the ID. ROOMZZ1 concept at the Auto Shanghai 2019. The ID. ROOMMZZ1 is the next member of the ID family and gives us a glimpse into the company’s upcoming version of a zero emission SUV.

    The production version based on the ID ROOMMZZ1 will first make its debut in the Chinese market in 2021 after which the model will be brought into other global markets. Just like the compact I.D.1, the I.D. CROZZ1, the I.D. BUZZ1, the I.D. VIZZION1 and the I.D. BUGGY1 before it, the sixth member of the fully electric family is based on the modular electric drive matrix and comes laden with innovations.

    The I.D. ROOMZZ1 gets variability in terms of vehicle interior, boasting of new seat configurations, high-quality materials and customizable light. It also gets the IQ.DRIVE systems which will drive the I.D ROOMZZ1. There’s a I.D. Pilot mode too in which the vehicle can be driven autonomously without an active driver which basically hints at a level 4 autonomous vehicle.

    There’s not much information yet about the what powers the ID ROOMZZ1, and what user experience will be like. We will know more about this, once the company showcases the car at the 2019 Auto Shanghai.

  • Hyundai Venue Subcompact SUV Launch Date Revealed

    Hyundai Venue Subcompact SUV Launch Date Revealed

    Hyundai has been teasing its new subcompact SUV – the Venue for quite some time now and we’ve even got details about the company testing the car around the country. While we already know, that the car will be revealed in India on April 17, 2019, coinciding with its public reveal at the 2019 New York Motor Show, we now have details on when the car will be launched in the country. Hyundai will launch the Venue subcompact SUV in India on May 21, 2019. The Venue will be the company’s first subcompact SUV in India and will rival the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport and even the Mahindra XUV300. While Hyundai’s entry into the subcompact SUV segment is delayed, the company is going to pack the Venue with a ton of features making it India’s first connected car.

    The Hyundai Venue will get the company’s ‘BlueLink’ connected technology and it will have 10 India-only features with a total of 33 connectivity features. Some of the features that BlueLink will offer in India are geo-fencing, speed alerts, SOS, panic notifications, destination sharing, and road-side assistance and so on. Hyundai said that it has tested its BlueLink technology rigorously in India, keeping the conditions in mind along with the needs of the customers. This also includes voice guidance and recognition in Indian-accented English which means that the software will be able to recognise spoken English from different regions in India. The Hyundai Venue will also have remote-control operated functions such as climate control, horn and headlamps on, vehicle status, engine start/stop and so on. The best thing is that Hyundai BlueLink can use your smartphone interface as a remote control.

    Hyundai BlueLink will also have a tamper-proof eSIM which will be provided by Vodafone Idea and a cloud based voice recognition platform from Global AI Company, which will offer real time traffic navigation and live local search as well. Features such as panic and medical assistance, geo-fencing and stolen vehicle notification will sit well with customers in India.

    The company has not yet revealed the engines that it will offer, but we have gotten a glimpse of what the front end of the car would look like. The leaked images revealed the upright stance of the Hyundai Venue, while the rear gets a massive ‘H’ badge in the centre with the ‘Venue’ moniker, and the very Polo-esque squared-off taillights along the lines of the Carlino concept. The tailgate also carries the ‘Turbo’ badge and ‘SX’, the latter denoting the range-topping variant.

    Under the hood, the new Hyundai Venue will be available with a 1.4-litre petrol and 1.4-litre diesel engine options. The turbo badge that was on the tailgate holds special importance, which nearly confirms the a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine for the SUV, and will come paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

  • MG Hector’s Connectivity Features Unveiled

    MG Hector’s Connectivity Features Unveiled

    MG Motor India today unveiled the cabin features of its upcoming SUV MG Hector. Touted as the company’s first internet car, the upcoming MG Hector will come with a new advanced connectivity system called i-Smart next-generation system, a complete integrated solution that combines software, hardware, connectivity, services and application. The system has been developed in collaboration with several technological partners like Cisco, Unlimit, and Microsoft among others. The iSmart connectivity system comes with advanced technology, smart application, built-in Apps, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Smart Features, Voice Assist, and Infotainment.

    The command centre of the system is a vertically-mounted 10.4-inch ultra large Full-HD infotainment display that comes with pre-loaded entertainment content and allows you to manage complete vehicle settings. MG says that the display screen can withstand the high temperatures of Indian weather conditions. For full-time connectivity, the system also comes with a first machine to machine embedded sim, along with the SUV Internet Protocol version 6 makes it 5G-ready, making it future-proof. The system offers features like – Real-Time Navigation, Remote Location, Geo-Fencing, Emergency Response and much more.

    Furthermore, with smart connectivity, the MG Hector will also be getting software updates via over-the-air (OTA) downloads, like firmware and features updates much like any smartphone. Also, as mentioned earlier, the car will come with pre-loaded apps like – TomTom IQ Maps, Gaana Premium, and AccuWeather app among others. In fact, MG Motor India will be offering its customer free data too for the first few years. The system itself is well-secured by Microsoft, which will be the Cloud provider for MG Motor.

    One of the key features and most important features offered in the MG Hector is its voice command system. Powered by China’s conversational AI provider Nuance, the system is designed to use voice commands to access multiple in-car functions like close or opening sunroof, control climate control, navigations and more. In fact, the system can even understand the Indian accent to make it suitable for the Indian market. Like Google Assistance, the Voice Assist system can be accessed by saying ‘Hello MG’ and is capable of handling over 100 functions. The Hector also comes with an eCall emergency response system that sends an emergency alert to MG’s customer management centre, called Pulse Hub and any registered phones, in the case of an accident. Also, in the event of the airbags being deployed, the system triggers a series of emergency response actions.

    The iSMART Next Gen is supported by the iSMART mobile App. MG iSMART App is feature-rich like none other in the Indian market. The car gets scanned each time the App is opened, and information includes location of car, tyre pressure, or if the doors are locked or not. Owner can use the remote app to directly lock or unlock doors, turn on ignition and switch on the air-conditioner.

    The all-new MG Hector is slated to be launched in second quarter of 2019. The SUV will come with premium interior and features like – with power adjustable seats, cruise control, electronic parking brake, and 360-degree camera. We also know that the SUV will come with a panoramic sunroof, which the company claims will be the largest in the segment. The SUV will come in both petrol and diesel powertrains – 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 2.0-litre diesel motor.