Baojun 530 Launched In China As A Facelifted MG Hector With 6 Seats

Out of the three seating configurations on offer in the Baojun 530, which one will the new Hector get?

• MG Hector’s Chinese sibling, the Baojun 530, gets three seating options: 5-, 6- and 7-seater.

• India-spec Hector offered only as a 5-seater mid-size SUV.

• Facelifted Baojun 530 is based on the same platform as Hector but is 40mm longer.

• 7-seater MG Hector expected to arrive in India by 2020.

• MG may opt for the 6-seater layout as well with captain chairs in the middle for a more premium experience.

• Three-row MG Hector likely to command a premium of more than Rs 1 lakh over current Hector.

When it was launched here in June, MG's first product in India, the Hector SUV, was met with enthusiastic reviews and heavy demand. It is currently offered here as a 5-seater mid-size SUV, with a 7-seater version due to arrive in 2020. The Hector also has a Chinese cousin, the Baojun 530, which is already sold there as a 7-seater. However, the facelifted Baojun 530 also comes in a 6-seater configuration with captain seats for the middle row -- and that could be offered in India by 2020 as well.

Also Read: Kia Seltos vs MG Hector vs Tata Harrier: Power, Fuel Efficiency and Dimensions Compared

The facelifted Baojun 530 is 40mm longer and sits 10mm lower than the current MG Hector. Its cosmetic updates include a new front grille, new projector headlamps, and a revised bumper design at the front and rear. The side profile is almost the same except for the new set of alloy wheels. 

It is expected to be offered with the same 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol unit, which produces 140PS of max power and 250Nm of peak torque alongside the mild-hybrid variant. The 2.0-litre diesel engine, which is due to be updated to meet the upcoming BS6 emission norms, is likely to be on offer as well. It currently produces 170PS and 350Nm mated to a 6-speed manual.

Also Read: Cars In Demand: MG Hector Sales Numbers Double Of Mahindra XUV500 In August 2019

With a 5/7-seater version already being sold in select Asian markets, it will be interesting to see whether MG brings a 7-seater layout with a 6-seater version of the 530 for Indian consumers. It will go up against the likes of the 7-seater Tata Harrier and Toyota Innova Crysta. 

The MG Hector is currently priced between Rs 12.48 lakh and Rs 17.28 lakh (ex-showroom pan-India, except Kerala) and rivals the likes of Tata Harrier, Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Mahindra XUV500, Renault Captur and the Nissan Kicks. Expect the facelifted version with more seats to carry a heavy premium over the current model.

Read More on : MG Hector on road price