3 new plug-in hybrid SUVs from China are coming to India. These include BYD Leopard 8, JSW MG’s Jetour T2 and Starlight 560. It claims to give excellent mileage by running on petrol and electricity.
BhaThree powerful Chinese SUV vehicles are about to enter the Indian car market. These include BYD’s Leopard 8, JSW MG Motors’ Jetour T2 and Starlight 560. All three are plug-in hybrid SUVs, which means they can be run on petrol as well as by charging with electricity. These vehicles boast of excellent mileage and great looks. Let us know the features of these upcoming SUVs.
mg starlight 560
JSW MG Motor India will launch an SUV based on the Starlight 560 in the Indian market by this Diwali. In the global market, this vehicle is sold under the Wuling brand. The new Starlight 560 will come with a plug-in hybrid engine. It will compete with the already existing vehicles like Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Safari in the mid-size SUV segment. The PHEV variant of the MG Starlight 560 has a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, which produces 106 horsepower and 130 Nm of torque. It also has a 20.5 kWh battery and an electric motor on the front-axle. The combined power output of all these is 197 hp and 230 Nm. The company claims that it can run 100-125 kilometers in electric mode only and its combined driving range is 100 kilometers. This SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just 9.7 seconds and its top speed is 170 kilometers per hour.
JSW Motors Jetor T2
JSW Motors is making its independent foray into the global automotive industry with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV based on the Jetour T2. It is planned to be launched by Diwali 2026. The length of this plug-in hybrid is 4785 mm, width is 2006 mm and height is 1875 mm. Its wheelbase is 2800 mm. Its plug-in hybrid variant has a 1.5-liter turbo petrol engine with 156 horsepower and a 26.7 kWh battery. It will be available in front-mounted electric motor (FWD) and dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) setups. The AWD T2 model produces 381 horsepower and 610 Nm of torque. This setup will be tuned for better mileage. Its battery, mated to a 3-speed DHT gearbox, gives an all-electric range of 139 kilometers (NEDC-certified). The company claims a combined driving range of more than 1,000 kilometers.
BYD Leopard 8
BYD has filed a design patent for its body-on-frame plug-in hybrid off-roader, the BYD Leopard 8, in India. Talking about size, the new Leopard 8 PHEV is 5195 mm long, 1994 mm wide and 1905 mm high. Its wheelbase is 2920 mm. It is believed that this SUV will directly challenge the Land Rover Defender 110. It has a plug-in hybrid powertrain, consisting of a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine, a 36.8 kWh battery and a dual-motor setup. It gives tremendous torque of 748 horsepower and 760 Nm. The power is sent to the wheels through an e-CVT automatic transmission. The company claims that it can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. It offers a WLTP-certified all-electric range of 100 kilometers. According to CLTC test, this SUV can give a driving range of up to 1200 kilometers on a full tank.