JSW MG Motor has confirmed to foray into a plug-in-hybrid mass-market segment in India by the festive season, which will be pitted against the likes of Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari.
Codenamed 520, the upcoming MG PHEV is likely to be based on the Wuling Starlight 560 SUV, available in the Chinese market. It uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine (105PS/130Nm), paired with a front electric motor and a 20.5 kWh battery pack, offering a combined output of 197PS and 230Nm. It claims 125km of pure electric range and a WLTP combined range of 1100 km with its 52-litre fuel tank.
The SUV is also available in ICE and all-electric versions globally; however, we aren’t sure if the brand will also introduce its electric version. If launched, it will rival both XUV 7XO and XUV 9S. For reference, the EV comes with a 56.7kWh battery with a claimed range of over 500km on a single charge.
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Available In Both 5- and 7-seater Configurations
Wuling offers the Starlight 650 in both 5 and 7-seater configurations, with a boot space of 320 litres in the latter. What’s more interesting is that its front seats can be folded completely flat, while the rear seatbacks can be adjusted up to 125 degrees.
Regarding features, its global-spec version comes equipped with amenities like a 12.8-inch floating infotainment, a floating digital instrument cluster, a 2-spoke steering wheel, a wireless charger, a powered driver seat, electronic parking brakes with auto-hold, level-2 ADAS and much more.
We expect the upcoming MG 520 PHEV SUV to be priced in a similar ballpark as the Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV 7XO, while its electric version could be priced similarly to the XUV 9s. Once launched, the SUV will enjoy its exclusivity in the Indian market.
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