MG Gloster SUV poised to challenge market leaders in its segment

It looks like MG is on a roll not just in our country, but in other markets as well. In India, the carmaker has launched the Gloster SUV which they are positioning against the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, Isuzu MU-X and Ford Endeavour (known as the Everest in the Philippines). 

This is the third MG offering for the Indian market, coming on the heels of the Hector SUV and ZS EV crossover.

Making its local debut at India's Auto Expo 2020, the Gloster is based on the flagship Maxus D90 already being sold in China.

It also shares the same ladder-frame platform as another Maxus model, the T60 pickup, granting this SUV the same rugged capability for those offroad forays.

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China's Maxus D90 served as the basis for the Gloster

The latest MG model stands 1932 mm wide and 1875 mm high. Spanning 5000 mm from bumper to bumper, the Gloster is longer than both the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and the Jeep Grand Cherokee, further besting these two with a wheelbase of 2950 mm.

At its launch, the new SUV will be offered in a three-row layout, with either a 6-seat or 7-seat configuration.  

Get a load of that rear end, with the prominent "GLOSTER" branding across the tailgate

Exterior-wise, the Gloster features a pair of adaptive LED headlights flanking the trademark MG car's signature grille, LED taillights and a panoramic sunroof between prominent roof rails, and an electric tailgate as well as 21-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, an 8-inch digital instrument cluster awaits you in the driver's seat, while occupants can bask in the comfort of premium upholstery and the convenience of a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

A 360-degree parking camera setup and three-zone climate control with an air purifier system round up the Gloster's interior amenities. 

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There's no shortage of leather on the Gloster's spacious and premium-looking interior

Under the hood, the Gloster comes with the same 2.0L gasoline engine that powers the D90, putting out 224 hp and 360 Nm of torque. 

A 2.0L BS6 twin-turbo diesel mill will also be available, good for 218 PS and a monster 480 Nm of torque. Transmission options include a six-speed manual and either a six-speed or eight-speed automatic transmission.

The MG will feature an impressive list of active safety features such as six airbags, blind-spot detection, hill descent control and autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

>>> Update the latest MG Philippines price right here!

Apart from being big in size, the Gloster is also reportedly big on safety

The Australian-spec model has reportedly managed to score a perfect five-star crash safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), with a chassis built from 70% high-strength steel.

There's also a strong chance that the Gloster will feature the D90's 4WD capability. No word yet as to whether or not the MG Gloster will make its way to our shores, but if the company hopes to boost their chances in the local SUV market, they should seriously consider bringing this model in.

The MG Gloster SUV boasts dimensions that rival those of current segment leaders

Would you like to see the MG Gloster challenge our midsize SUV stalwarts? We'll keep you updated on Philkotse.com for further developments as they unfold!