MG Motor India has taken the wraps off the new MG Hector facelift, the prices of which will be announced on 11th January 2023.
Hector was MG’s first product in the Indian market. Since its launch in 2019, there was a mild refresh in 2021 with some feature additions and cosmetic changes. Now the 2023 iteration which has just been revealed is not an all-new generation Hector, but a thorough facelift as it still uses the same platform and has the same powertrain options.
Changes on the outside come in form of a massive front grille with a chromic diamond pattern that extends to the bumper. The design for the front and rear skid plates is new while the split headlamp setup is carried forward from the outgoing version. The rear gets a new illuminated light stripe at the center of the tailgate and the new ‘Hector’ lettering below the number plate recess.
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Inside, the changes are more prominent as there is a new dual-tone theme and a 14-inch portrait touchscreen takes the center stage flanked by redesigned airconditioning vents. Furthermore, the instrument cluster is fully digital and the ambient lights can now be operated by voice. The center console is new as well with a redesigned gear lever and an electronic parking brake.
The most significant update in the new MG Hector is the Level 2 ADAS suite which consists of 11 features. MG has reportedly worked with Bosch to develop this system for the new Hector. The ADAS features include adaptive cruise control (ACC), bend cruise assistance (reducing speed when navigating a turn while ACC is on), lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic jam assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, hydraulic brake assist, pedestrian emergency braking, and intelligent headlamp control.
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Another new feature is the auto turn indicators which activate the vehicle’s indicators as soon as one turns the wheels beyond a particular angle at slow speeds. The Hector also gets the Bluetooth-enabled sharable digital key feature which allows up to 2 phones to be used as digital keys and eliminates the need for a physical key to driving the car. Correspondingly, the vehicle unlocks / locks as the driver approach/leave the vehicle respectively.
Under the hood, the new 2023 MG Hector in India continues to be powered by 1.5L petrol, 1.5L petrol-hybrid, and 2.0L diesel engine options. While the former two can be had with manual and automatic transmissions, the latter is mated only to a 6-speed manual gearbox.
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Upon its launch, the new MG Hector and MG Hector Plus will strengthen their rivalry with the likes of Mahindra XUV700, Tata Safari, Kia Seltos, and Hyundai Alcazar in the highly competitive Indian market.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
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