Here’re The Top 5 ‘Firsts’ On Board The MG Astor

The recently unveiled MG Astor seems to have struck a fine balance between a likeable looking SUV, and loads of features. Moreover, the x-factor of the SUV is the carmaker’s attempts to make the Astor stand out in the compact SUV segment, with a raft of segment-first features. Here’s all about them in detail.

Adjustable Steering Modes

You’d be familiar with driving modes as they alter various characteristics of the vehicle such as throttle response, brake response, fuel efficiency, shift times or even engine power depending on the mode selected. But MG has brought something unique to the Astor with three steering modes: Normal, Urban, and Dynamic. While the camaker hasn’t given the specifics on the three steering modes, we think it’ll alter the steering response of the SUV depending on the mode selected. Stay tuned to our first drive review for our first impressions on them. 

Fun fact, the Mahindra XUV300 also gets drive modes that alter the steering response, even though it is a segment below the Astor.  

AI Assistant 

Arguably one of the biggest reasons why the Astor’s got people talking. You’ll notice there’s a small robot on top of the dash. Well, that’s MG’s personal AI voice-command-based assistant. Not only does it look at you and show certain emotions, you can command it to operate in-car functions like opening the sunroof,  update you with the latest news, crack jokes, and even tell you real-time scores of a cricket match. All you need to do to activate is to say “Hello Astor”. 

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

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Bringing out the big guns in the MG Astor is an extra layer of safety via an autonomous driver aid suite. With the use of radars and cameras, these safety assists include:

• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): Basically, this system detects the road ahead and alerts the driver of a possible collision against vehicles or pedestrians , and if the driver doesn’t respond, the Astor automatically decelerates to help avoid it. 

• Lane Keep Assist: Here, the camera and sensors detect the lane lines on the road ahead, and if it detects the Astor veering off-course, the system alerts the driver to correct the trajectory. 

• Speed Assist: The Astor can automatically or manually limit your speed to match the speed defined on road signs in the area.

• Adaptive Cruise Control: In regular cruise control, the driver has to manually set a particular speed to activate this feature. But, in the Astor, adaptive cruise control senses and monitors the road ahead, and automatically accelerates or decelerates to maintain adequate distance from the vehicle in front.  

• Rear Cross Traffic Alert: In use during parking situations, the system alerts the driver from either direction when the car is in reverse.

Heated ORVMs 

This is a feature that tends to go under the radar for a lot of people, but it is a nice convenience bit. During monsoons, or cold weather scenarios, the ORVMs tend to fog up due to the moisture outside. So heated ORVMs keep the fog out in order to not lose vision.  

Soft-touch Dash

Another standout feature in the Astor is the presence of  soft-touch materials in the cabin. Not only there are leatherette seats, there’s also leatherette padding on the dashboard, centre console, and doors.

MG Motor India is slated to launch the Astor in India in October 2021, with prices likely to start from Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). MG’s fourth product for India will have its work cut out in the compact SUV segment as it will take on stalwarts like the  Skoda Kushaq, Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, and the upcoming VW Taigun.