2021 MG Hector & Hector Plus CVT automatic SUVs launched at Rs. 16.51 lakhs & Rs. 17.21 lakhs

MG Motor India is expanding Hector and Hector Plus’s line-up to make it more accessible for the buyers. They have added a CVT automatic transmission variant to the turbo petrol engine to both the SUVs. Both the SUVs get two variants in which the CVT gearbox is available. There is the Sharp Smart and Sharp variant. The Hector Sharp CVT is priced at Rs. 16.51 lakhs ex-showroom whereas the Sharp variant is priced at Rs. 18.09 lakhs ex-showroom. The Hector Plus CVT’s Smart variant is priced at Rs. 17.21 lakhs ex-showroom whereas the Sharp variant is priced at Rs. 18.89 lakhs ex-showroom. The prices of the DCT variant that comes with the turbo petrol engine is also the same as the CVT. The changes to the SUV are purely mechanical as there are no cosmetic changes to the Hector.

So, now there are three gearbox options that you can choose from for the Hector and the Hector Plus. There is the six-speed manual gearbox, six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and the latest 8-speed CVT. The rebadged version of MG Hector known as Wuling Almaz in Indonesia was already available with a CVT automatic transmission. With the CVT gearbox, the power output of the 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine has also gone up slightly. It now produces 145 hp whereas the manual gearbox and the DCT variants power output is limited to 141 hp. However, the torque output stays the same at 250 Nm.

The SUV also gets driving modes that can alter the engine and gearbox characteristics. There are three driving modes namely Eco, Drive and Sport. The CVT gearbox is expected to be a lot smoother and efficient in gear shifts due to which it should also return slightly better fuel efficiency. When compared the Dual-clutch transmissions can be a bit jerky at crawling speeds like in bumper to bumper traffic.

Also read: MG Hector Facelift to be launched in 2021

MG also offers the same engine with a 48V mild-hybrid setup which is only available with the 6-speed manual gearbox. The 48V system helps store energy and can provide 20 Nm of torque assistance when required which helps in increasing the fuel efficiency slightly. There is also a 2.0-litre diesel engine available that is sourced from Fiat. The engine produces 170 PS of max power and a peak torque output of 350 Nm. It is only offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox. MG Hector starts from Rs. 12.89 lakhs ex-showroom and goes up to Rs. 18.42 lakhs ex-showroom. It competes with Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Jeep Compass and Tata Harrier. MG Hector Plus starts from Rs. 13.34 lakhs ex-showroom and goes all the way up to Rs. 18.42 lakhs ex-showroom. It competes with Tata Safari, upcoming XUV500 and the upcoming Hyundai Creta 7-seater which might be called Alcazar.

MG Motor also added a new Select variant to the Hector Plus. The SUV got a 360-degree parking camera, electric tailgate, fully digital instrument cluster, 6 airbags, heated outside rearview mirrors, electric adjustment for the passenger seat, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, ventilated front seats and ambient lighting. The Select variant costs Rs 18.46 lakh, ex-showroom.

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