Key highlights
- New JSW MG Hybrid SUV confirmed for India
- It will be a rebadged version of the Wuling Starlight 650
- Likely to be offered in PHEV and EV versions
JSW MG India has recently confirmed that it is working on bringing a new mid-size 7-seater SUV to rival the Mahindra XUV 7XO. This upcoming SUV will be offered with plug-in hybrid tech. Read more details about it below.
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What do we know about the new JSW MG Hybrid SUV?
The mid-size 7-seater SUV segment is about to get more interesting in India. JSW MG India has confirmed that it will soon launch a new PHEV rival to compete with the segment leaders like the Mahindra XUV 7XO. This unnamed SUV is likely to be a rebranded Wuling Starlight 560 SUV, which is currently on sale in China and Indonesia.
While the brand officials did not reveal further details, we suspect that it will be launched in PHEV and EV versions. The Starlight 650 is 50mm longer than the XUV 7XO and has 60mm more wheelbase, which is expected to offer more space and comfort than the Mahindra rival car.
Meanwhile, the interiors of the Starlight 650 are equipped with premium leather, a dual-tone theme with soft-touch upholstery on the dashboard and door pads, and modern tech like AI-assisted voice controls, panoramic sunroof, Level 2 ADAS, and more.
On the outside, it features a crossover design that looks butch yet MPV-ish. The front-end gets the sleek grille with sharp LED lights, while the bumper is sculpted and features large air dams. Meanwhile, the rear gets a conventional deisgn that looks more like an MPV, which suggests that it has better third-row comfort.
Powering the PHEV version is a 1.5-litre petrol engine (106bhp/130Nm), paired with a 20.5kWh plug-in battery system, which cumulatively develops 197 bhp and 230 Nm. This engine can deliver up to 100 km of pure electric range, while the 52-litre fuel tank gives 1,100 km of total range. Since this powertrain does not exist in India in this segment, this new MG SUV will become an exclusive product under Rs 30 lakh.
Meanwhile, its BEV version is equipped with a 56.7 kWh battery pack that offers 500 km range (CLTC-claimed). It is a FWD configuration motor with a front axle-mounted electric motor, which makes 136 bhp and 200 Nm. With that said, the BEV version will compete with the Mahindra XEV 9S head-on.
JSW MG India will offer the Wuling Starlight 650 with India-specific cosmetic changes, including the new exterior and updated interior. Additionally, buyers will get 5- and 7-seater options as per their convenience. As of now, the launch timeline of this PHEV SUV is unknown.
