Upcoming Plug-In Hybrid Cars: MG Starlight 560 And Jetour T2 SUVs
The Indian automotive market is entering a new phase of electrification. A new large wave of hybrid vehicles is waiting on the wings. In India, the conversation on hybrids has long been exclusive to strong hybrids, especially in the affordable segments. The more advanced plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVs) have been relatively few in number. This is about to change. Here are two plug-in hybrids expected to go on sale in India in the coming months.
JSW has officially revealed its intention to set up an independent automotive vertical, exclusive of the ongoing partnership with MG. Called JSW Motors, this will have a rebranded version of the Jetour T2 as its first product.
The T2 is already on sale in multiple global markets and is loved for its capable powertrain and tall, boxy, Defender-like design. Multiple powertrain options are available abroad. India is likely to get just the i-DM version with the plug-in hybrid powertrain. The seven-seater SUV is expected to be over 4.7 metres in length and will have a roomy, comfortable and technology-packed cabin.
Inside, expect it to come with a 15.6-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12-speaker Sony sound system, ventilated and powered seats, panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control and multiple other features.
As for the powertrain, the i-DM PHEV will have a 1.5-litre petrol engine at the centre. On the international spec, it is paired with a 26.7 kWh battery pack and two electric motors. This setup has a combined system output of 375 hp and 610 Nm. Plus, it will also have an electric-only NEDC range of 140 km. The battery pack can be charged from 30% to 80% in half an hour, on a DC charger.
In the Indian market, the T2 i-DM will compete primarily with the Fortuner. Its powertrain, however, has a clear upper hand over the Fortuner’s when it comes to power and torque figures. Both front wheel drive and all wheel drive (AWD) versions are available abroad. It remains unclear which of these would be brought to India.
The T2, when brought to India by JSW, will have a different name. It will initially be brought as CKD (completely knocked down) kits and assembled at the company’s upcoming greenfield factory in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. The localisation will be increased in a phased manner.
The second plug-in hybrid that is being readied for india is the Wuling Starlight 560. It will be sold as an MG product here. The SUV has already been spied testing multiple times. When launched, it will compete with the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari here. The design is expected to remain largely unchanged from that of the version sold abroad. We expect this product to launch by festive season this year.
The project is currently codenamed 520. The Starlight 560 is available with three powertrain options, globally- 1.5 turbo-petrol, 1.5 plug-in hybrid and all-electric. The turbo-petrol is less likely to be brought to India.
The Starlight 560’s plug-in hybrid powertrain consists of a 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to an electric motor and a 20.5kWh battery pack. The motor sits on the front axle and the total system output is 197hp and 230Nm. The SUV will be able to do the 0-100 kph sprint in just 9.7 seconds. It will have a top speed of 170 kph. The total range will be around 1100km per tank of fuel while the electric-only CLTC range will be around 100 km.
This SUV is likely to be brought as a five-seater first, with the three-row version joining later. It will have a technology-rich cabin. Expect to find features like a 12.8-inch touchscreen, 6-speaker audio, automatic climate control, 8.8-inch digital driver’s display and more.
Plug-in hybrids are very different from strong hybrids. They have much larger battery packs that can be charged using an external power source. Strong hybrids on the other hand, recharge their battery packs internally. The external charging ability allows PHEVs to run much more in all-electric mode than regular hybrids. In short, PHEVs are in many cases, the best of both worlds!
The two vehicles discussed above, interestingly, take two different approaches. The MG Starlight 560 focuses on efficiency, practicality, and everyday usability with its PHEV powertrain. The T2, on the other hand, chases performance with the same.