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Spy Pics: MG PHEV SUV Based On Wuling Starlight 560 Spotted Testing
JSW MG Motor India is preparing a new SUV for the Rs 15-20 lakh segment, based on the global Wuling Starlight 560. A heavily camouflaged test mule of the plug-in hybrid SUV, codenamed 520, has now been spotted in Gujarat, close to the company's Halol manufacturing facility.
The new MG plug-in hybrid will form part of JSW MG Motor India's aggressive rollout of hybrid and electric vehicles as the brand expands its NEV portfolio in India.
The test mule carried temporary Gujarat registration plates from Vadodara, located near MG's Halol plant. This suggests the vehicle is undergoing extensive road testing before its official launch.
Globally known as the Wuling Starlight 560, the SUV is available in five-seat and seven-seat configurations depending on the market. The new SUV is part of MG's broader new-energy vehicle (NEV) strategy for India and will be manufactured locally. The model is expected to strengthen the brand's presence across multiple price brackets.
Internationally, the Starlight 560 supports multiple powertrains, including petrol, plug-in hybrid and full electric variants. The configuration most relevant for India is expected to be the plug-in hybrid system, though the EV variant is expected to arrive a bit later down the line.
The PHEV setup combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, producing a combined output of about 194 bhp and 230 Nm. It uses a 20.5 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack.
Pure electric versions of the Starlight 560 are also offered globally, including a variant producing 134 bhp and 200 Nm, which shares its drivetrain with the MG Windsor EV sold in India.
The spied test mule showcased the boxy silhouette of the Starlight 560. Visible design elements include a slatted front grille, roof rails, and large 18-inch alloy wheels shod with 215/55 R18 tyres. The test mule looked substantially large, which is in line with the Wuling Starlight 560 that is around 4,7 metres long.
Once launched (expected in October), the MG-badged version of the Starlight 560 is expected to compete in the midsize SUV segment, which includes the likes of the Mahindra 7XO and the Tata Safari, among others. However, with its electrified powertrain, the upcoming MG SUV will provide quite a different alternative in a segment dominated by diesel power.
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