Upcoming MG Plug-In Hybrid SUV Could Be Called Hector Hawk

JSW MG Motor India is set to launch their first-ever PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) in the country. It will be a derivative of the Wuling Starlight 560 PHEV sold in select ASEAN countries. It has been spied testing in India multiple times and is set to be one of the first mainstream PHEV for India.

Outside of JSW MG Motor India, JSW Motor is also set to bring a PHEV in the country in partnership with China’s Chery Automobile. When launched, JSW MG Motor India’s first-ever PHEV for India will probably be called Hector Hawk, leaning on the already popular Hector nameplate in the country.

MG Hector Hawk PHEV

Spied testing multiple times in the country, this upcoming MG Plug-In Hybrid SUV is expected to be launched very soon. Recent teasers suggest MG will debut an NEV (New Energy Vehicle) in the coming days on July 16th, which is highly likely to be their first-ever PHEV for India, spied on testing multiple times.

Now, a probable name has surfaced from India’s IP and name trademarks registry. When launched, MG Hector Hawk could be the name of this upcoming PHEV SUV. The recent teaser carried the message “Internet Inside transformed the way India drove. Now, it’s time to power the next evolution. Join us as we redefine the way India thinks about New Energy Vehicles”.

Internet Inside reference could be a nod to Hector, which was India’s first Internet Inside vehicle. This suggests the upcoming MG PHEV based on Wuling Starlight 560 may be an extension of already established Hector nameplate and may be called Hector Hawk. The trademark registry suggests the same, even though the status says ‘Opposed’.

It could bear similar design, equipment and powertrain as Wuling Starlight 560, which is a 4,745 mm long SUV with 2,810 mm long wheelbase and three row seating configuration. Boxy SUV proportions, roomy cabin, tech-savvy equipment, premium materials for better cabin ambience and intelligent safety suite is expected with Hector Hawk.

Why A PHEV?

The company seems to be good at identifying niches in the country and catering to them. Windsor EV was one such offering featuring a roomy monospace form factor with SUV like comfort along with BaaS pricing model. Now, the company is eying to tackle India’s growing Hybrid vehicle landscape. There are a few vehicles advertised with Hybrid tags.

Some micro hybrids for the namesake and then some strong hybrids, which are self-charging with miniscule battery packs. These offer better fuel efficiency in favourable conditions only with very little real-world contribution. Starlight 560 has up to 100 km of pure electric range from its 20.5 kWh battery, which is much more reasonable than the ~0.5 kWh to 0.75 kWh battery packs in current crop of self-charging Hybrid vehicles.