MG Starlight 560 and Jetour T2 - New Plug-in Hybrid SUVs Launching in 2026

We have already seen PHEVs mostly in luxury models in the Indian market. However, JSW Motors and JSW MG Motor India are planning to introduce Plug-in Hybrid powertrain with their upcoming mass-market SUVs. PHEVs can be the perfect tech to fill the void between the ICE and EVs, giving customers best of both worlds. The car can run exclusively on electric powertrain in urban roads, and one can drive the vehicle purely on petrol. 

JSW MG Motor India has confirmed that it will launch the Plug-in-hybrid SUV before the end of this year. On the other hand, JSW Motors Limited in partnership with Chery has teased the Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid vehicle. This SUV will be launched by festive season, before Diwali 2026. 

MG Starlight 560

JSW MG Motor India will launch an all-new SUV with both EV and PHEV derivatives, and is expected to be positioned against the Mahindra XEV 9S and XUV 7XO. Internally codenamed 520, the new MG SUV will be based on the Wuling Starlight 560 SUV which is on sale in the Chinese market as the Xinguang and in the Indonesia market as the Wuling Eksion. The SUV is available in 5-and 7-seat layout; however, the India-spec model is likely to get the 7-seater derivative. 

Measuring 4,745mm in length, the new MG Starlight 560 is 50mm longer than the XUV 7XO and rides on 2810mm long wheelbase. The Plug-in hybrid version comes fitted with a 1.5-litre 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. The SUV is claimed to offer an electric range of 100km. The Starlight 560 can achieve 0-100kmph in 9.7 seconds before hitting an electronically limited top speed of 170kmph. 

Jetour T2

JSW Motors Limited will launch its first model in the third quarter of 2026, and it will be based on the Chery’s Jetour T2 SUV. The new SUV would carry a JSW badge and will be assembled at the brand’s upcoming Greenfield manufacturing plant in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra. The company will launch the T2 i-DM with 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid powertrain, and is available with both AWD and FWD versions. The powertrain produces 154bhp and 220Nm of torque. It is packed with a 26.7kWh battery pack, and the SUV can run up to 139km purely on electric power. The combined power and torque output stands at 221bhp and 390Nm, respectively. In terms of proportions, the T2 is 4785mm long, 2006mm wide and 1875mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2800mm. It has a minimum ground clearance of 205mm. 

Also See - Maruti Suzuki to Launch 2 New Hybrid SUVs