Exclusive: MG Motor India's Upcoming SUV To Set New Precedent With CAAP Platform For Future Models

MG Motor India has been betting big on technology right with the Hector when it forayed in our market. The carmaker in now building up on it with a new Concept of Car as a Platform (CAAP) which will set the tone for all its upcoming models in India, and also the existing ones. The CAAP is basically its new software platform which is incrementing on technologies like Blockchain, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence amongst others. This will further enable the development and application of services and subscriptions. The upcoming MG Astor which is essentially a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) version of the MG ZS EV is likely to be the first model benefiting from the CAAP platform and it will further trickle down to other models like the Hector, ZS EV and Gloster among others.

Also Read: MG ZS Petrol SUV Likely To Be Launched By End Of 2021

The MG Astor will get the Reliance Jio 4G service for the connected car tech.

MG has also partnered with India's biggest telecom operator, Reliance Jio which will be providing its connectivity suite to provide a best in class 4G based connected car stack. Jio's 4G network will provide high-speed in-car connectivity for the Astor. Reliance Jio will provide the e-SIM and IoT tech that provides access to real-time infotainment and telematics. The new MG Astor will also be high on technology just like other models in the carmaker's portfolio, and will offer the Reliance Jio service.

Also Read: Upcoming MG Astor Compact SUV To Debut With Reliance Jio's Connected Car Stack

Speaking exclusively with Siddharth Vinayak Patankar, Editor-in-Chief carandbike on the Freewheeling with SVP webisode, Rajeev Chaba, President & Managing Director- MG Motor India said, "Technology and innovation are one of the strongest pillars of our brand DNA. We have been discussing that in the future software will differentiate the cars and horsepower and fuel efficiencies will be given. This is exactly we want to position our next car as, the car is going to be platform. So a lot of services and convenience is going to be given in that car. So definitely we want to establish that car as platform."

Also Read: New MG One SUV Revealed; Gets Two Colour Options

The MG Astor will source the 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine from the Hector SUV.

Engine options and other specifications of the SUV are yet to be confirmed. But we expect it to get the 1.5-litre, four-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol motor from the MG Hector belting out 141 bhp and around 240 Nm of peak torque. The engine could be made available with a CVT automatic gearbox as well along with the six-speed manual transmission. For the Indian market, the SUV is likely to get a new MG One inspired front grille, new LED headlights with LED daytime running lights (DRLs), dual-tone alloy wheels, LED tail lamps and roof-mounted spoiler.. The cabin of the ZS petrol will largely remain identical to its electric sister. So expect a flat-bottom steering wheel, large 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as the i-Smart connected tech, sunroof, all-digital instrument cluster with a large MID unit among others.