MG Motor testing Starlight 560 Hybrid SUV in India: Spy images, details

JSW MG Motor India appears to be preparing a new three-row SUV for the Indian market. A heavily camouflaged test vehicle was recently spotted near in India. This is believed to be the upcoming Starlight 560-based SUV.

The upcoming SUV is internally codenamed 520 and could arrive in India around October this year. The model is expected to be positioned above the Hector in MG’s line-up.

The test vehicle is understood to be based on the Wuling Starlight 560 sold in international markets. The SUV measures more than 4.7 metres in length and features a wheelbase of over 2.8 metres, making it larger than several rivals in the segment. The final name for the Indian version has not been confirmed yet.

MG Starlight 560: Powertrain

The SUV is expected to be offered with a plug-in hybrid system. It combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine producing about 105 hp and 130 Nm with an electric motor mounted on the front axle. The combined output is rated at 195 hp and 230 Nm. MG claims the SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 9.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 170 kmph.

As part of the hybrid setup, it gets a 20.5 kWh battery pack. It is expected to deliver around 100 km of pure electric driving range, while some global figures indicate up to 125 km under CLTC testing conditions.

An all-electric version of the SUV is also available internationally, although the test vehicle seen in India is likely the plug-in hybrid model. The upcoming SUV is expected to be among the first new locally manufactured MG models introduced after the Windsor EV. More details are likely to emerge closer to launch.