India-Bound MG Hector Hybrid Unveiled

Morris Garages (MG), the British brand owned by China’s SAIC, wants to be known as a “new energy vehicles” maker. Standing true to that, the company has unveiled MG Hector Hybrid SUV weeks after unveiling the all-electric eZS SUV, which has a range of 428km, to be launched here in Q4, 2019.

The MG Hector has a 48V mild hybrid system paired to a 143hp 1.5-litre petrol engine that will deliver 12 per cent more fuel than its only-petrol counterpart, as per a report published in Autocar India. As most electric and hybrid cars, it comes with regenerative braking technology where the vehicle recovers the kinetic energy to recharge the battery during start-stop scenarios.

The Hector will also come with a 2.0-litre diesel engine.

It will face competition from Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass, Mahinda XUV5OO and Hyundai Creta. Out of these, only the Mahindra XUV5OO offers a micro-hybrid start-stop system which isn’t a step down from the mild hybrid system.

Currently, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Toyota Camry Hybrid are the closest hybrids available, but fall in the Rs 40 lakh price bracket.

MG Hector Hybrid is expected to be launched in a few months and will carry a price tag of Rs 15-20 lakh.