MG Motor is expected to introduce the 2021 Astor, a compact SUV, later today. The SUV, which is effectively a gasoline-powered version of the ZS EV, will be packed with high-tech features. The 2021 MG Astor SUV is expected to make its formal debut around the holiday season, maybe in October.

After the Hector, Hector Plus, Gloster, and ZS EV SUVs, the MG Astor SUV will be the Chinese-owned British carmaker's sixth offering in India. The Astor SUV will be about 4,300 mm long, making it somewhat smaller than the Hector SUV. The Astor SUV will be placed below Hector, according to the carmaker. The automaker has previously teased the SUV's front end, which has a distinctive grille design. LED headlights with projectors and LED DRLs that double as turn indicators flank the hexagonal grille on either side. At the back, it has LED headlights.

The side profile of the Astor SUV is partially exposed in the newest teaser released by the automaker. It confirms that MG Astor's design language will be comparable to that of the ZS EV. Chrome lining along with the windows and a darkened B-pillar are probable.

The inside of the MG Astor is expected to include a 10.1-inch main touchscreen, digital instrument cluster with i-Smart connect, sunroof, and other features. But it's Astor's industry-first personal AI assistant system and first-in-segment Autonomous Level-2 technology that will set it apart from the competition. The personal AI help system, which will be spoken by Paralympian Deepa Malik, is akin to Apple Siri or Amazon Alexa. It should be able to respond to voice instructions and carry out functions such as playing music, making or receiving phone calls, messaging, and so on.

The Autonomous Level-2 technology includes ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) functions, which will carry out several emergency safety measures like Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Prevention and Speed Assist.

MG Astor will be the third car in India, and the second in the carmaker's lineup after Gloster SUV, to feature the ADAS technology. Recently launched Mahindra XUV700 also boasts of the technology. However, Astor will be the first car in its segment to have such advanced features and it help the SUV to carve a niche out for itself among some of the heavyweights.

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