Morris Garages India has silently been developing a facelift version of their best selling Hector 5 seat Crossover SUV and now this facelift version has started to arrive at showrooms a few weeks ahead of its expected launch. Here's a quick summary on what to expect on the updated Hector.

The 2021 MG Hector gets cosmetic and feature upgrades to the exterior and interior.

Exterior updates:

• New front grille with Chrome studs (similar to Mercedes Benz cars)

• Glossy black strip connecting the tail lamps, replacing the red reflector.

• 18” dual tone alloy
  

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Apart from these updates, the 2021 Hector will look largely the same as the current model and will carry forward the same features including LED headlamps, DRLs and tail lamps, Roof rails, Panoramic sunroof and surround body cladding.

Interior and feature updates:

• Dual tone, beige and black interior theme

• Ventilated front seats

• Wireless charging

• Proximity auto door locks

While the design layout and quality will remain exactly the same, the 2021 Hector will get a dual tone colour theme while also offering some new features to have an edge over the Seltos and Creta. It will also receive Proximity sensing auto door locks which can automatically lock or unlock the car by sensing the distance of the key fob, without the need to press the request button on the door handles.

Other features including the large portrait-style touchscreen system, 100+ voice commands, ambient mood lighting, digital instrument cluster, powered seats, leather upholstery are expected to remain the same on the top spec variants.

The Hector will continue to offer class leading 625L of boot space, while also offering smart powered tailgate.

Powertrain:

The current range of engine will be carried forward to the facelift Hector as well:

• 1.5L turbo petrol non hybrid producing 145PS through 6 speed manual or DCT

• 1.5L turbo petrol with 48V mild hybrid producing 145PS through 6 speed manual

• 2.0L Fiat-sourced turbo diesel producing 170PS through a 6 speed manual.

Launch and price:

The new MG Hector facelift is expected to be launched officially before mid-January and the top spec Sharp Variant is expected to be priced around ?30,000 higher than the current Sharp trim level.

       Just as before, the new Hector will compete against the Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass. Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.

Stay tuned for further updates.

The Mahindra XUV300 had scored an outstanding 5 star rating at the global NCAP crash tests, becoming the safest Made in India car tested to date. The Marazzo had also scored an impressive 4 stars. Now the all-new 2020 Mahindra Thar has also been crash tested by Global NCAP. The 2020 Thar has been awarded an impressive 4 star rating in the crash test. The tested model is the Thar LX with twin airbags, ABS and ESP and the vehicle’s body structure was noted as ‘stable’. However, the footwell area was noted to be unstable, and incapable of withstanding further

Global NCAP also subjected the new Thar to side impact crash test.

Global NCAP also conducted separate test for the Thar’s Electronic Stability Control ( ESC). However, the vehicle showed an unstable dynamic behaviour. Global NCAP has recommended that Mahindra review the Thar’s dynamic behaviour, and improve on the same.

The Mahindra Thar has scored four stars (12.52/17) for adult protection and four stars (41.11/49) for child protection. The Thar has received the highest child protection score ever for made in India cars tested by Global NCAP.

Mahindra has seriously worked on the new Mahindra Thar over the previous generation model in terms of comfort, features and safety. Being based on an updated platform of the Mahindra Scorpio, the new Thar is much safer than before.

The standard safety features on the top spec LX Variant include:

• Dual airbags

• ABS with EBD

• Engine immobiliser

• Central remote locking

• ESP with traction control

• Hill hold assist

• Mechanical locking differential

• Reverse parking sensors

• Front fog lamps

• ISOFIX Child seat mounts

Going by the results, the New Mahindra Thar is currently the 6th safest made in India car tested by the Global NCAP.

It's been almost a decade since the launch of the Volkswagen Vento and Skoda Rapid in India. Finally, these mid size sedans are scheduled to get replaced by all-new models in 2021. However, before laughing the sedans, VW-Skoda will be launching the SUVs first. 

The production version of the Skoda Vision IN concept SUV will be the first all new product in their new launch strategy. Next in-line will be the Volkswagen Taigun midsize SUV. Only after these launches, VW’s mid-size sedan will come to the market.

Similar to the current Vento-Rapid models, the new generation sedans will share their underpinnings, switchgear

Both the midsize sedans are expected to retain the current 110hp, 1.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine, along with the 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque convertor automatic options. Besides this, VW-SKODA is also likely to bring a hybrid based powertrain.

The larger 1.5-litre turbo-petrol unit seen on the VW-SKODA SUVs will not be offered on the new Vento and Rapid sedans.

VW-SKODA is pushing for 95 percent localisation and more parts sharing of new upcoming models to reduce costs.

Stay tuned for further updates on Skoda Volkswagen's new upcoming cars.