Key highlights
- JSW MG plug-in hybrid SUV to launch next month
- It will be a badge-engineered Wuling Starlight 560
- To rival the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari
JSW MG Motor India has finally announced the launch date for its upcoming plug-in hybrid SUV. This new SUV will be offered in five- and seven-seater options, and it will rival the three-row SUVs like the Mahindra XUV 7XO and the Tata Safari.
MG plug-in hybrid SUV: What do we know so far?
Not long ago, JSW MG Motor India patented a design of a three-row SUV, which was essentially the Wuling Starlight 560. A similar-looking test car has been taking rounds on the Indian roads since then, and it is being widely assumed that MG will launch its first plug-in hybrid SUV, which will be a badge-engineered Wuling Starlight 560.
Now, the brand’s announcement of a new car launch on July 16 has piqued our interest. Plug-in hybrid technology is still taboo in India because it has not found many buyers yet. In fact, there are only a handful of PHEVs on sale, and all of them are priced steeply.
Therefore, the new plug-in hybrid SUV makes sense. Speaking of this unnamed model, MG engineers have codenamed it ‘520’, and online reports hint that it will also be brought in a BEV or fully electric avatar. This makes sense as the BEV will compete with counterparts like the Mahindra XEV 9E and the upcoming Tata Safari Electric.
The Wuling Starlight 560 is sold in the international market, and it is a renowned SUV for its size, comfort, and tech. However, the most important and likeable part about it is its 1.5-litre engine that has been paired with a 20.5 kWh battery pack. This powertrain develops 195 bhp and 230 Nm, while delivering a pure electric range of up to 125 km, and a total range of more than 1,000 km on a full tank of fuel.
With the growing fuel prices in India, such an efficient three-row SUV is something that no other brand has introduced yet. So, it can be a game-changer, only if the brand prices it correctly. Meanwhile, its BEV version gets a 69.2 kWh battery, a 201 bhp FWD motor, and a CLTC range of 530 km.
The exterior design of the Wuling Starlight 560 is modern and conventional at the same time. It has a crossover design with a big greenhouse, sharp daytime running LED lights on the front, dual-tone alloys, and sleek LED taillights. It measures 4,745 mm in length, which places it perfectly against the Mahindra XUV 7XO.
On the inside, it offers a minimal and plush cabin design with spacious seats, optional captain seats, a full-size panoramic sunroof, a 12.8-inch floating infotainment screen, an 8.8-inch digital driver console, wireless charging, ambient LED cabin lights, dual-tone leather upholstery, a 6-speaker sound system, an electric tailgate, and more. It also gets the Level 2 ADAS safety features.
We expect MG to price this new plug-in hybrid SUV in the range of Rs 18-25 lakh.
Also read: Tata Sierra EV exterior design revealed: Top highlights to know
