JSW Motors is getting ready to make its entry into India’s passenger vehicle market, and it is not going to do so quietly. The company’s first SUV, the JSW Combat, will make its debut on December 3, marking the beginning of a new chapter for JSW as an independent automotive brand.
But the Combat is only the beginning. JSW Motors is working with Chinese automaker Chery and plans to bring a range of SUVs to India, including the iCaur V23 and Jaecoo J5. All three will bring some form of electrification to the table, giving JSW a lineup that could look very different from traditional Indian carmakers.
JSW Combat Is A 360 Bhp Plug-In Hybrid
The Combat is based on the Jetour T2, a rugged-looking SUV sold internationally by Chery. The India-spec model will be a five-seater and is expected to be assembled at JSW’s upcoming facility in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra.
The biggest talking point will be its powertrain. The Combat is expected to use a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, an 18.4kWh battery and two electric motors. The combined output is claimed to be around 360 Bhp and 610 Nm, with power sent through a dedicated hybrid transmission.
Even more interesting is its claimed range. The SUV could travel around 90km purely on electric power, while its total range with a full tank and charged battery could stretch to around 1,100km.
The styling will remain broadly similar to the Jetour T2, although the Combat gets its own lighting and bumper revisions. A spare wheel mounted on the tailgate, chunky wheel arches and a boxy silhouette give it a proper off-road SUV appearance. Inside, expect a large 15.6-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, powered and ventilated seats, a premium Sony audio system, 540-degree camera and Level 2 ADAS.
iCaur V23 Will Be The Retro EV
The next important model will be the iCaur V23-based electric SUV. This one will target India’s growing mid-size EV segment and could be priced below Rs 20 lakh. The V23 has a distinctive boxy, retro-inspired design that could help it stand apart from the increasingly similar-looking electric SUVs already on sale.
Internationally, it is available with rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The RWD version uses a 59.93 kWh battery and produces 136 Bhp, while the AWD version gets an 81.76 kWh battery and produces 211 Bhp. The latter has a claimed CLTC range of up to 510 Km. Which version comes to India remains unclear, but an AWD option could give JSW a significant differentiator.
Jaecoo J5 Could Bring More Choice
The Jaecoo J5 will be another important addition. While the international model is available with both hybrid and electric powertrains, JSW is currently understood to be considering the EV version for India.
The electric J5 uses a 60.9 kWh battery and a 210 Bhp front-mounted motor producing 288 Nm. It has a claimed 461 Km NEDC range and can accelerate from 0-100kph in 7.3 seconds. The international model also offers features such as a large 14.8-inch touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, 540-degree camera and Level 2 ADAS.
With the Combat, iCaur V23 and Jaecoo J5, JSW is clearly betting heavily on new-energy SUVs rather than conventional petrol cars. The Combat will open the door in December. The V23 and J5 will follow, potentially giving Indian buyers three very different SUV choices from a brand that does not even exist in the mainstream market yet.