Future MG Cars In India: What's Next After The Hector?

UPDATE: The MG Hector has been launched with prices starting at Rs 12.18 lakh (ex-showroom pan India). Check out the complete prices and other details here. 

• MG Hector launch next month.
• All-electric MG eZS SUV to launch by October 2019.
• 6/7-seater Hector Planned for 2019 as well.
• 2 new SUVs in different segments will launch in 2020.
• MG likely to launch a hatchback or a sedan post 2020.

MG Motors has decided to enter India with a strong product offensive. While all the limelight is currently being enjoyed by the Hector, the brand has already planned its next crop of products for India as well. And guess what? They are all SUVs! MG has plans to launch the next 4 SUVs for India over the next 18 months. This would mean that by the end of 2020, MG’s India lineup will consist of 5 SUVs, underpinned by 4 different platforms (you can read more about these SUVs here). But, is that all?

No, the company has already started considering other body types for our market, which means the arrival of an MG hatchback or sedan in the country. If MG decided to go premium with a sedan, the car on the list could be the MG 6, a rival to executive sedans like the Honda Civic and the Skoda Octavia. The MG 6 was in fact spotted in India once back in 2017 with its badges covered.

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But the MG 6 hasn't been a global success and given that executive sedans are a dying breed, MG could choose to bring in the more humble MG 360. A rival to the Honda City and the Maruti Ciaz, the MG 360 could be a good entry point for sedan lovers into the brand. It is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine in foreign markets with 106PS and 135Nm in the belly.

However, If MG decided to target the sub-10 lakh segment, then it will probably launch the MG 3 hatchback. A rival to premium hatchbacks like the Maruti Baleno and the Hyundai i20, the MG 3 could very well be the entry point for the brand in the country. It gets the same 1.5-litre motor from the MG 360. But in India, the company will have to use an engine with a capacity smaller than 1.2 litres to make use of a lower tax bracket. And because the India launch is still at least 2 years away, chances are we might get our hands on the next-generation MG 3 here.

But all of this is still a little into the future. After the launch of the Hector next month, MG will then look towards introducing the all-electric eZS SUV in India. The long-range EV will arrive in the festive season and will rival the likes of the Hyundai Kona EV, which will also launch this year in the country. The MG eZS will pack 150PS of power and 350Nm of torque, and will drive electrons from a 45.6 kWh battery pack. This setup gives the SUV a claimed range of 350km. And given that the fast-charging setup can juice it up to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes, range anxiety will be a thing of the past for daily commutes.

By the end of 2019 or early 2020, the Hector will get a 6-/7-seater variant to rival the Tata Harrier’s upcoming 7-seater variant. The other two SUVs pegged for 2020 will be based on different platforms and will feature some sort of hybridization like the Hector’s 48V mild-hybrid system.

We expect one of the two to be a compact SUV to rival the likes of the Hyundai Creta and Renault Duster. The other could be a full-sized SUV to take on the popular Toyota Fortuner. But the ball will be set rolling for these products by the Hector and that is why its success is all the more important to MG. What do you think MG’s future lineup in India will be like? Let us know in the comments below.