If you’ve been tracking MG’s next big move in India, the wait is finally getting shorter. The SUV that will eventually wear an MG badge in India, currently known internationally as the Wuling Starlight 560, has already had its public debut in Southeast Asia, appearing as the Wuling Eksion at the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) in Jakarta earlier this year. For Indian buyers, that overseas reveal is the clearest window yet into what MG is preparing to launch here, likely under a different name, later in 2026.
Why This SUV Matters for India
MG Motor India has been on an aggressive product push this year, and the Starlight 560 sits right at the center of it. Unlike most of MG’s current India lineup, this SUV is expected to arrive with both a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and a fully electric (EV) powertrain option, a first for the brand locally. That dual-powertrain approach lets MG go after two very different buyer sets with one platform: those wanting hybrid flexibility without range anxiety, and those ready to go all-electric.
Reports suggest the SUV could carry a fresh nameplate in India rather than the “Starlight” name used abroad, with “Hector Hawk” doing the rounds as a strong possibility, positioning it above the existing Hector in MG’s lineup.
What the Indonesian Debut Revealed
At its Jakarta unveiling, the Indonesia-spec version badged Wuling Eksion showcased a boxy, upright SUV silhouette with a wide blacked-out grille, LED headlamps with sharp DRL strips, and 18-inch dual-tone alloys. The rear gets an almost MPV-like stance, with a roof-mounted spoiler and wraparound LED tail-lamps. It’s a design language that leans practical and family-oriented rather than sporty, which fits MG’s target audience well.
Mechanically, the Indonesia-spec PHEV pairs a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with a 20.5kWh battery, producing a combined output in the region of 195-197hp, with an all-electric range of over 100km and a total combined range that can stretch beyond 1,000km. The EV variant, meanwhile, is expected to use a larger battery pack good for roughly 500km of range on the Chinese testing cycle, with front-wheel-drive power delivery.
What to Expect in India
India-spec details are still under wraps, but the SUV has already been spotted testing on Indian roads, and MG has filed a design patent locally, both strong signals that a launch is close. Expect a 7-seat configuration to headline the India lineup, given the segment MG is targeting, with rivals likely to include the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Tata Safari on the PHEV side, and the Mahindra XEV 9S once the EV variant arrives.
Given MG’s pricing strategy with recent launches, this SUV is unlikely to be positioned as an ultra-premium offering. Instead, expect competitive pricing aimed at pulling buyers away from established diesel and petrol SUVs by leaning on the PHEV’s low running costs and long combined range.
Wrapping Up
The Indonesia Motor Show debut wasn’t just a regional product reveal; it was effectively a preview of MG’s next big India launch. With plug-in hybrid and electric variants, a spacious 7-seat layout, and pricing expected to undercut segment rivals, this SUV could be one of the more interesting mid-size launches from MG India this year. All that’s left now is an official name, confirmed pricing, and a launch date, and going by the pace of recent developments, none of those should be far off.
Rajababu Kushwaha is the Founder and Editor of AutoCrest. He covers the latest car news, reviews, comparisons, EV updates, and buying guides for Indian car buyers.