3 Chinese Plug-in Hybrid SUVs Coming to India: Jetour T2, MG Starlight 560

The Indian automotive market is witnessing a significant shift, as buyers preferring hybrid, EV and CNG cars over diesels and petrol. Automakers are now looking at Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) to bridge technology for buyers who want electric efficiency without range anxiety.

Three plug-in hybrid SUVs from China are set to enter the market by 2027 through aggressive partnerships and local assembly. While MG will launch the Starlight 560, JSW Motors to introduce Jetour T2. BYD has also patented the Leopard 8 off-roader, which is also expected to arrive in our market. 

MG Starlight 560

JSW MG Motor India will launch the Starlight 560 based SUV in our market by Diwali. It is globally sold under the Wuling nameplate. The new Starlight 560 will come with a plug-in hybrid engine, and will be aimed at mid-sized SUV category dominated by the Mahindra XUV7XO and Tata Safari. The Wuling Starlight 560 is available in both 5 and 7-seat options in the home market.

The MG Starlight 560 PHEV version gets a 1.5L naturally-aspirated petrol engine that produces 106hp and 130Nm, and a 20.5kWh battery pack with a front-axle-mounted electric motor. The combined power and torque output stands at 197hp and 230Nm, respectively. It is claimed to offer an electric-only range of up to 100-125km and a combined driving range of 100km. The SUV can accelerate to 100kmph from zero in just 9.7 seconds before hitting a top speed of 170kmph.

JSW Motors Jetour T2

JSW Motors to begin its independent automotive journey by introducing a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV based on the global Jetour T2. Scheduled to be launched by Diwali 2026, the Plug-in hybrid vehicles will be assembled at the brand’s upcoming Greenfield plant in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra.  It measures 4785mm in length, 2006mm in width and 1875mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2800mm. 

The Plug-in hybrid version is packed with a 156hp, 1.5L turbo petrol engine and a 26.7kWh battery. It is offered with both front-mounted electric motor (FWD) and dual-motor AWD setup. The AWD T2 offers a combined power and torque output of 381hp and 610Nm, respectively. This setup could be tuned to achieve higher fuel efficiency for the Indian market. Paired to a 3-speed DHT, the battery offers an NEDC-certified all-electric range of 139km. The SUV is claimed to offer a combined driving range of over 1000km. 

BYD Leopard 8

BYD has filed a design patent in India for the BYD Leopard 8, which is a body-on-frame, plug-in hybrid off-roader. Dimensionally, the new Leopard 8 PHEV is 5195mm long, 1994mm wide and 1905mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2920mm. The SUV could be introduced as a direct rival to the Land Rover Defender 110. 

The BYD Leopard 8 is equipped with a plug-in hybrid powertrain comprising a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo petrol engine, a 36.8 kWh battery and dual-motor setup. The combined power and torque output stands at 748hp and 760Nm, respectively. Power is transmitted to the wheels via an e-CVT automatic unit. It is claimed to achieve 0-100kmph acceleration in just 4.8 seconds. The body-on-frame SUV is claimed to offer a WLTP-certified all-electric range of 100km. The SUV offers a driving range of up to 1200km in a full tank, as per CLTC testing.

Also See - Tata to Roll Out New Electric Cars Over the Next Year