2018 Auto Expo: Expected MG Motor Lineup

Update: MG Motor India has confirmed that they will not be present at the Auto Expo 2018. Instead, the company will first hold a vintage MG cars meetup and later launch their first product for India - most probably a compact SUV - later in 2018.

At the 2018 Auto Expo, auto enthusiasts from all over the country will get a good look at some of the new carmakers that would soon set up shop in India. One of the brands that would be present at the event includes British marque MG (Morris Garages) Motor. Owned by SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation), a Chinese automotive major, MG Motor will become the first-ever Chinese-owned automaker to enter India. 

Also Read: What Is MG?

The company is counting big on India and wants to leave no stone unturned to capture a substantial market share from the get-go. Apart from our eternal love for SUVs, our country is quite possibly one of the biggest markets in the world for hatchbacks. MG Motor is likely to cover both these popular segments by showcasing two SUVs and a premium hatchback. Let’s take a closer look at what these cars are all about.

Model Name: MG3

Potential competition in India: Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Hyundai Elite i20, Honda Jazz and Volkswagen Polo

Let’s get one thing clear. The MG3 for India is not expected to be the same car as the one that is available in the UK or Thailand. There are two main reasons for it. Firstly, the UK/Thai-spec hatchback is above 4-metres in length (4018mm). Secondly, it is powered a 1.5-litre petrol engine. Both these parameters will push the MG3 hatchback out of the small car category in India and, hence, will attract the higher tax structure of a mid-size car. If that happens, it will cost considerably more than its similarly sized rivals. The only way around for MG is to either source a smaller engine locally or equip the hatchback with a detuned version of its 1.0-litre GDI engine. Why a detuned motor? Because in the UK, it produces 111PS of power and we believe that the British carmaker will happily trade oomph for more mileage. Moreover, the hatchback is not offered with a diesel engine anywhere in the world and India is not expected to become an exception.

Also Read: SAIC Announces India Entry With MG Motor

Model Name: MG GS

Potential competition in India: Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Compass, Mahindra XUV500 and Tata Hexa

The MG GS, which was launched at the 2015 Shanghai Motor Show, was the first-ever car to be built under MG Motor’s new owner. In May 2016, the SUV went on sale in the UK. Equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol motor, the MG GS produces 166PS of power and 250Nm of peak torque. A 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, which puts out 220PS of power and 350Nm of torque,  was made available later. While we would love to have the latter of the two engines in India, it will most probably be the smaller motor that eventually makes its way to India. It could be offered with a choice of 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions. Not only will it help the company to keep the price in check, but give the SUV better fuel economy figures as well. Like the MG3, the MG GS is not offered with a diesel engine anywhere in the world. The lack of an oil burner could hamper the company’s plans in India. Will MG source one locally or will it develop a new diesel engine specially for India? Only time will tell.

Also Read: MG Motor India Website Goes Live

Model Name: MG ZS

Potential competition in India: Hyundai Creta, Renault Duster, Honda BR-V, Renault Captur and Nissan Terrano

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The MG ZS is smaller than the GS and, if launched, it will further crowd the compact SUV segment in India. More than the GS, it is the ZS that will attract more eyeballs. Not just because it is bound to be less expensive than the GS, but also because it is a lot more pleasing to the eye. However, like the other two cars mentioned above, it doesn’t have a diesel motor on offer. In the UK, it is available with a choice of two petrol engines - a 1.5-litre unit producing 106PS/141Nm and a turbocharged 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder mill generating 111PS/160Nm. You guessed it, there are no diesels on offer with the ZS either. The ZS surely needs one though if it wants to challenge the tough competition.

MG Motor will launch its first product in India in 2019. Before that, it will set up the Halol facility which it procured from General Motors (Chevrolet) earlier this year. After launching the models mentioned above, the carmaker could expand into the sedan segments and we could very well see the development of an India-specific model as well.

Also Read: 2018 Auto Expo Dates Revealed