Plug In Hybrid Cars Launching This Year: MG Starlight 560 to BYD Sealion6
We have all seen the affordable strong hybrids that are currently on sale in India. However, what we have not seen in India are affordable plug-in hybrids. Well, this year that will be changing for us. This is because by the end of this year we will be seeing the launch of not one but three plug-in hybrid cars in the country. So without any delay, here are the details of the plug-in hybrid cars which will be launched this year.
Before talking about the upcoming cars, we first have to understand what plug-in hybrids actually are. For those who may not be aware, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles or PHEVs are vehicles which use a combination of a petrol engine, electric motor, and a larger battery pack. These vehicles can run using only the petrol engine, only electric power, or both.
The biggest difference between a strong hybrid and a plug-in hybrid is that PHEVs can be charged externally using home chargers or public fast chargers. Generally, plug-in hybrids come with battery packs in the range of 20 to 30 kWh and can offer an electric-only driving range between 50 to 150 km depending upon the battery size and driving conditions.
This setup is very useful for the vehicle owner as they can enjoy EV-like silent driving in daily city usage. Meanwhile, they also do not suffer from range anxiety because the petrol engine can take over once the battery charge gets low. And for this reason, many people believe that plug-in hybrids could become the perfect transition cars for Indian buyers before we see complete EV adoption in the country.
The first plug-in hybrid SUV in India will be the Jetour T2 based plug-in hybrid SUV which will be launched by JSW Motors. The Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Group is entering the passenger vehicle segment with its new subsidiary, JSW Motors. The company will introduce a rebadged version of the Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid SUV in India around the Diwali festive season.
This SUV will be launched in India through the CKD route. It has been reported that it will be assembled at JSW’s new greenfield manufacturing plant located in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar in Maharashtra. In terms of design, the Jetour T2 based SUV will boast a very rugged and futuristic styling. The overall appearance of this SUV takes heavy inspiration from the Land Rover Defender.
At the front, it will feature squared LED headlamps with four LED strips, a black horizontal trim piece, a honeycomb pattern grille, and a muscular front bumper. The SUV will also boast a very upright stance along with pronounced bonnet lines and grab handles mounted near the bonnet edges, which are generally seen on hardcore off-road SUVs.
Moving to the side, this SUV will feature large wheel arches, thick body cladding, and 19-inch alloy wheels. As for the rear, the SUV will come equipped with vertically stacked LED taillights, a chunky rear bumper, and a tailgate-mounted spare wheel. Overall, it will look extremely macho and imposing on the road. This SUV will measure close to 4.7 metres in length and will come with a five-seater layout in India.
On the inside, the Jetour T2 based SUV will offer a premium yet rugged cabin. Its main highlights will include a massive 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. It will also get a panoramic sunroof, wireless charger, ambient lighting, powered and ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a 12-speaker Sony sound system.
Apart from these, its safety suite will include six airbags, ESC, ABS, blind spot monitoring, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and ADAS Level 2. The ADAS suite will include autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning.
As for the main highlight of this SUV, its powertrain. This SUV will be offered with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine paired with dual electric motors and a 26.7 kWh battery pack. In EV-only mode, this SUV will be capable of offering a claimed range of 139 km. The petrol engine alone makes 154 bhp and 220 Nm of torque.
However, the combined output from the hybrid system could be around 375 bhp and 610 Nm of torque. The SUV is expected to be offered in both front-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive configurations. Pricing of this SUV is expected to be between Rs 35 to 45 lakh.
Apart from JSW Motors, MG Motor India, which is also majorly owned by the Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Group, is also preparing to launch a new plug-in hybrid SUV in India. This SUV will reportedly be called the MG 520, and it will be based on the Wuling Starlight 560 sold in international markets.
The launch of the MG 520 is expected to take place around October this year during the festive season. Dimensionally, this SUV will measure 4,745 mm in length and offer a wheelbase of 2,810 mm. When compared to the Mahindra XUV 7XO, it will be slightly longer and offer more cabin space as well.
In terms of design, the MG 520 will feature a bold and muscular appearance. It will come with dual-pod projector LED headlamps, LED DRLs, a honeycomb pattern grille, and a sporty front bumper. Other highlights will include large alloy wheels, roof rails, an integrated spoiler, and wraparound LED taillights.
Moving inside, the MG 520 will come loaded with features like other MG models in India. Its feature list will include a 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, powered and ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera, and ADAS Level 2.
Powering the MG 520 will be a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with a front-mounted electric motor and a 20.5 kWh battery pack. It is believed that the combined output from this setup will be around 197 bhp and 230 Nm of torque. MG claims that despite being a large SUV, it can sprint from 0 to 100 kmph in just 9.7 seconds.
In EV-only mode, the MG 520 will be capable of covering around 100 km. Pricing of this SUV is expected to remain between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 35 lakh.
Last on this list is the Chinese automaker BYD with its plug-in hybrid SUV, the Sealion 6. The company has already started teasing this SUV officially, and test mules have also been spotted on Indian roads. The teaser from BYD highlights the advantages of plug-in hybrids.
In terms of dimensions, the Sealion 6 will measure 4,775 mm in length and come with a wheelbase of 2,765 mm. Design highlights will include sleek LED headlamps, a sporty front bumper, connected LED taillights, and conventional pull-type door handles.
Inside the cabin, the Sealion 6 will feature a premium dual-tone interior finished in tan-black or white-black themes. It will also get leatherette upholstery, a 15.6-inch rotating infotainment touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Other features will include a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, a 360-degree camera, ADAS, a 10-speaker sound system, front and rear parking sensors, and seven airbags.
Internationally, the BYD Sealion 6 is offered with both naturally aspirated and turbo petrol engine options. These are paired with either an 18.3 kWh or a 26.6 kWh battery pack. The naturally aspirated version produces around 218 PS. Meanwhile, the turbo petrol version generates between 324 PS and 344 PS.
The biggest highlight of the BYD Sealion 6 will be its massive combined driving range, which can exceed 1,000 km. Once launched in India, it will directly rival the upcoming MG 520 and Jetour T2 based plug-in hybrid SUV. It will most likely be priced in the range of Rs 35 to 45 lakh.