The AI-equipped MG Astor is officially unveiled in India

The MG Astor has officially launched in India. The subcompact crossover, which is based on the MG ZS, comes loaded with a host of highly advanced tech features, some of which are segment firsts. Marketed as India's "first car with AI inside," expectations for the new crossover have been high, and its success could influence the brand's upcoming models in Asia and beyond. 

First in a long list of the MG Astor's features is an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), putting the vehicle at level 2 out of 5 in terms of driving automation. Level 2 means that the car can, during certain situations, take control of steering, braking, and acceleration duties. 

The Astor’s ADAS is composed of various technologies like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane change assist, lane departure warning, speed assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and more.

For the infotainment system, MG equipped its latest crossover with a 10.1-inch floating touchscreen display. The system comes with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. Moreover, an AI-based personal assistant will be available inside the vehicle. The system can recognize voice commands and assist the driver as needed. The Astor also gets a Jio eSIM that enables cellular connectivity inside the car.

The Astor’s other notable features include steering modes, hill descent control, a Bluetooth digital key, premium synthetic leather layered interiors, and over 80 internet-enabled features.

All the talk of the MG Astor's advanced feature set may have overshadowed its powerplant, which deserves attention in its own right. The Astor is available in two engine configurations. 

The first is a 1.3-liter Brit Dynamic 220TURBO gasoline engine capable of 138 hp and 220 Nm of torque. It pairs with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The other option is a 1.5-liter VTi-TECH gasoline mill churning out 108 hp and 144 Nm of torque. This engine connects to either a manual or 8-speed CVT gearbox.

Design-wise, the MG Astor closely resembles the ZS crossover. The two vehicles share the same platform and many of the same design cues. There's currently no word on whether the MG Astor could arrive in the Philippines. Should it launch locally, it could come in the form of an updated ZS with some of the Astor's new features. The MG Astor’s official pricing will reportedly be announced next month.