MG ZS Petrol to get a new name when launched in India as Hyundai Creta rival

As we know that MG Motor will be launching a petrol version of the ZS in the Indian market by the third quarter. According to Autocar India, the petrol version of the ZS will get a new name. The new SUV will also sit below the Hector meaning that it will be the new entry-level vehicle that you would be able to buy from MG Motor. The MG Petrol has been codenamed Model K internally. “By the end of this year, it (our portfolio) should be good for SUVs, including one EV and three other SUVs. So that’s what we intend to do,” said Rajeev Chaba, president and managing director, MG Motor India.

The petrol version of the ZS will be based on the facelifted version of the ZS EV that is sold in the international market. It will be offered with two petrol engine options. There will be a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine. The 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine is expected to produce 120 bhp of max power and a peak torque output of 150 Nm. The 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine will produce 163 bhp of max power and 230 Nm of peak torque. This will make the MG ZS petrol the most powerful SUV in the segment. Currently, the most powerful SUV are the Nissan Kicks and Renault Duster, which comes with the 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 156 bhp of max power and 254 Nm of peak torque. Then there is the Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Creta which comes with a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine that is good for 140 bhp of max power and a peak torque output of 242 Nm.

The ZS Petrol measures 4.3 metres in length as compared to Hector which measures 4.6 metres. The design of the petrol version is a lot different than the EV version. It comes with a redesigned front with angular LED headlamps with LED Daytime Running Lamps, huge grille with a piano black finish and a more crossover look than SUV. At the rear, we also get LED tail lamps. Just like other MG products, ZS Petrol will be loaded with features. It will come with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system which will offer Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and iSmart connected car technology. There will be automatic climate control, digital instrument cluster, multi-function steering wheel, air purifier, push button to start/stop, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, rear AC vents, wireless charger etc. The interior design will also be a lot different from the one we have seen on the ZS EV.

Also read: MG Hector Facelift to be launched in 2021

The petrol version of the ZS has been spied quite a few times while on a test in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Karnataka. The ZS Petrol will be priced from around Rs. 10 lakhs ex-showroom. When compared currently the cheapest vehicle that MG Motor offers is the Hector which starts from Rs. 12.89 lakhs ex-showroom. Offering a new mid-size SUV will help in attracting more people towards the brand as it will be more affordable than other SUVs. Also, it does look attractive. MG ZS Petrol will be competing against Renault Duster, Nissan Kicks, Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta.

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