MG Hector To Get Both Petrol And Diesel Powertrains

• Reports suggest that the MG Hector will be offered with a 1.5-litre petrol engine too.
• We know that the MG Hector will be powered by a Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre diesel engine.
• This should help MG tackle the potential shift in demand to petrol-powered cars easily.
• The MG Hector will be launched by mid-2019; will rival the Tata Harrier and Jeep Compass.

According to the latest reports and one spy shot, the upcoming MG Hector will be offered with a petrol engine when launched later this year. This will complement the 2.0-litre, Fiat-sourced diesel engine and help MG cater to the potential demand for petrol-powered vehicles once BSVI norms kick in. Diesel-powered cars are expected to cost significantly higher than their petrol brethren because of the extensive modifications required to make them BSVI-compliant.

Reports suggest that the petrol motor will be a 1.5-litre, turbocharged unit and will be paired to a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission that will power the front wheels. This motor reportedly develops 143PS of maximum power and 250Nm of peak torque. The MG Hector petrol AT variant could also be offered with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel and a ‘Sport’ mode to make it feel sportier.

If these reports are accurate, here’s how the MG Hector petrol will compare to its rivals:

The diesel variants of MGs first SUV in India will be powered by a Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged motor. This is the same engine that powers the Jeep Compass and is expected to develop the same performance figures as on the Jeep - 173PS and 350Nm. Even the Tata Harrier is powered by the same engine, albeit in a lower state of tune.

We have an exclusive photograph of the Hector’s instrument cluster which shows its informative 7-inch driver information screen. You can read all the details about it here.

The MG Hector will be priced between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 20 lakh. It will take on the likes of the Tata Harrier, Mahindra XUV500 and the Jeep Compass. One of the unique details about the new MG is that it will be offered with a subscription plan, read more about it here.

Source: Autocar India