After Tata Motors, This Brand To Create Trouble For Mahindra! » MotorOctane

Tata has been the leader in electric vehicles in India for quite some time and the Nexon EV and Punch EV were getting sales numbers like no other, but MG disrupted its party with the Windsor. This automaker is now planning to bring another SUV to India, to cause some trouble for Mahindra as well. Could this new SUV put Mahindra in trouble? Let’s find out. 

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New MG SUV Coming Soon?

MG has been struggling in the mid-sized SUV segment for quite some time now. While the Windsor has received a great response, the Hector has faded away. MG is now looking to liven up its SUV range with this upcoming model. 

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The new SUV will be a more premium offering than the Hector and will sit between the Hector and the Majestor in its SUV lineup. Speculation suggests that his SUV will be based on the Wuling Starlight 560, which is already on sale in global markets. It is set to compete with, not one, but two Mahindra SUVs – the XUV 7XO and the XEV 9S. And here’s how. 

Also Read: New Government Scheme Will Save Your Life In Road Accidents!

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New XUV 7XO Rival – Powertrain

This is where things would get interesting. The Starlight 560 would be offered as a plug-in hybrid and an EV. The PHEV will be powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine mated to a 20.5 kWh battery pack (197 bhp & 230 Nm combined), and the claimed electric-only range for this hybrid is an impressive 100 km. And when you factor in the petrol engine as well, the total range of the hybrid SUV is 1,100 km. 

The EV in the global market features a 56.7kWh battery pack (136 bhp & 200 Nm), which can go up to 500 km on a single charge. With DC fast charging, it takes 20 mins to charge from 30% to 80%, and with an AC charger, it takes 9.2 hours to charge from 20% to 100%. We expect the same battery pack to be offered on the Indian-spec version. 

The Starlight 560 would be the only plug-in hybrid in the segment. Moreover, it would also make it the cheapest plug-in Hybrid in India. The plug-in hybrid variant will directly compete against the XUV7XO, while its EV sibling will go up against the XEV9S.

Also Read: New Government Scheme Will Save Your Life In Road Accidents!

New XUV 7XO Rival – Looks And Features

The Wuling Starlight 560 has dimensions similar to those of the XUV7XO. However, it has a 60 mm longer wheelbase than the Mahindra SUV, which means it will be roomier and more practical on the inside. Moreover, it will be offered in 5- and 7-seater configurations. 

While the feature list is yet to be announced, we have gotten a look at what the cabin would look like. The dashboard layout is minimalistic, like most MG cars. When launched, we expect features such as an ADAS suite, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated and powered front seats, wireless charging, and an electric tailgate. 

Also Read: Maruti’s Plan To Trouble Tata Nexon Revealed!

New XUV 7XO Rival – Expected Pricing & Launch

Being a plug-in hybrid, it won’t be cheap. We expect it to be priced between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 30 lakh (on-road, Mumbai). While there are no direct PHEV counterparts, it competes with the ICE-powered SUVs. To stay competitive with the Tata Safari and the Mahindra 7XO, MG would need to price it aggressively. On the other hand, the EV variant has less competition and would go up directly against the XEV9S. The expected pricing for the EV SUV is between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 35 Lakh (on-road, Mumbai). 

The launch details are still fuzzy, but we could see this new SUV by the end of 2026. MG has received a strong response to its EV, the Windsor, and will look to capitalise on this segment with this new car. Indians love fuel economy and range, and the PHEV and EV SUVs could be the perfect answer. 

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