New MG Plug-In Hybrid SUV Spotted In India For First Time

JSW MG Motor is gearing up to launch its new flagship SUV in India – the Majestor. The D-segment SUV recently made its debut and it is expected to go on sale from April this year. Meanwhile, MG has already started working on another three-row SUV that has been spotted on Indian roads for the first time.

Speculated to be based on the Wuling Starling 560, this upcoming SUV is expected to be slotted between the Hector and Majestor in MG Motor’s India lineup. A heavily camouflaged test mule of the SUV was spied testing on the streets of Vadodara in Gujarat. Internally codenamed ‘520’ this SUV is likely to make its way to the Indian market around October 2026.

The camouflaged test mule is seen sporting red temporary registration plates starting with “GJ 17,” indicating the Vadodara RTO region. The sighting of the test mule near the Halol facility indicates that local validation and road testing are likely underway. MG has been expanding and reconfiguring its Gujarat plant to support upcoming models, including new energy vehicles (NEVs) built on flexible architectures.

The Wuling Starlight 560 sold in China measures more than 4.7 metres in length and features a wheelbase of over 2.8 metres, making it longer than MG Hector and all its segment rivals. However, the most significant highlights about the Starlight is its powertrain. When launched, this could be MG’s first plug-in hybrid SUV for India.

Internationally, the Wuling Starlight 560 is available in both plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and fully electric derivatives. The PHEV is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally  petrol engine that is good enough to produce 105 bhp and 130 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a 20.5 kWh battery pack that powers the front wheels, taking the combined system output to 195 bhp and 230 Nm. 

Also READ: Study Finds Plug-in Hybrid Mileage, Emissions Much Worse Than Manufacturers’ Claims

Under the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC), the PHEV claims an all-electric range of 100 km and a total driving range of 1,100 km. The manufacturer also states a 0–100 kmph acceleration time of 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 170 kmph. The India-spec model is most likely to get the same PHEV powertrain.

Coming back to the spy shots, the images reveal sleek dual-pod projector LED headlamps with LED DRL strips positioned above and below them, along with a honeycomb mesh grille—both closely resembling the Wuling Starlight PHEV. On the Starlight EV, this grille is replaced by a blanked-off panel. A front camera module and a radar-based ADAS sensor are also visible.

An air dam on the lower section of the bumper and dual-tone alloy wheels can be seen as well. Although the rear remains heavily camouflaged, the body contours suggest a wraparound tail-lamp setup, again similar to the Starlight PHEV. A roof-mounted spoiler, rear wiper, and roof rails are also apparent.