JSW MG Motor India has confirmed August 26 as the reveal date for the Hector Hawk, a new three-row SUV that becomes the brand’s first product built on its ADAPT platform. The company has already put out a teaser showing the SUV’s outline, a sealed-off front grille, and an illuminated MG badge, and it has been spotted testing on Indian roads several times over the past few months.
The Hector Hawk isn’t just a bigger Hector with a new name. It rides on an all-new architecture built specifically for electrified powertrains, and it’s based on the Wuling Starlight 560, a model already sold overseas under the Starlight and Eksion names. That donor model measures 4,745mm in length, 1,850mm in width, 1,755mm in height, and rides on a 2,810mm wheelbase, which is roughly 60mm longer than the existing Hector’s. MG is expected to tweak the styling for India, though how much of that carries over is still unclear.
Two Powertrains, One Platform
What sets the Hawk apart from the regular Hector is that it’s expected to launch with two electrified powertrain options rather than one.
The EV variant is reported to use a 69.2 kWh battery paired with a motor making around 201 PS and 310 Nm, with a claimed range of about 530 km on the CLTC cycle. That’s worth flagging clearly: CLTC figures are typically optimistic next to real-world numbers, and MG hasn’t published an India-certified range yet, so treat 530 km as a starting reference point rather than a locked-in figure.
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The PHEV version, meanwhile, is expected to pair a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a smaller 20.5 kWh battery, giving it around 125 km of electric-only running before the engine kicks in for longer trips. If that number holds up in India-spec testing, it would be a genuinely useful figure for buyers who want EV running for daily commutes without giving up a petrol engine for highway trips or road journeys where charging infrastructure is thinner.
Seating is expected to be offered in a seven-seat configuration for India, matching how MG has positioned the Hawk internationally, though the brand hasn’t confirmed this outright yet.
Where It’s Expected to Sit on Price
Nothing is official yet, but early estimates put the Hector Hawk EV somewhere in the Rs 20 lakh to Rs 30 lakh (ex-showroom) bracket, with some reports pointing to a starting price closer to Rs 18 lakh. Actual pricing, along with the final variant lineup, is expected to be announced separately from the August 26 reveal, with retail sales likely to begin closer to the festive season.
Who It’s Up Against Models
The Hector Hawk is walking into a segment that’s gotten a lot more crowded over the past year, and it’s fighting on two fronts depending on which powertrain a buyer picks.
On the EV side, the closest matchup is the Mahindra XEV 9S, which is similarly positioned as a large, family-focused electric SUV with a comparable range claim. The Tata Harrier EV and Mahindra XEV 9e are also realistic cross-shops for buyers cleared on going fully electric.
The PHEV is a different story. There’s currently no direct mainstream plug-in hybrid rival in this segment in India, so MG could have a genuine first-mover advantage there, at least for now. Buyers weighing the PHEV are more likely to be cross-shopping against conventional petrol and diesel three-row SUVs like the Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV 7XO, since the appeal is electric-only running for city use without range anxiety on longer trips.
What Still Needs Confirming
A fair amount of this is still reported or expected rather than officially locked in. MG hasn’t confirmed final India-spec range figures, the seating layout, exact variant structure, or pricing. The August 26 event is expected to be a reveal rather than a full commercial launch, with actual bookings and deliveries likely to follow in the weeks after, ahead of Diwali.
FAQs
When does the MG Hector Hawk EV launch in India?
confirmed August 26, 2026 as the reveal date for the Hector Hawk. Retail sales are expected to follow in the weeks after, ahead of Diwali 2026.
What is the expected range of the MG Hector Hawk EV?
Reports point to a 69.2 kWh battery and a claimed range of around 530 km on the CLTC test cycle. This is not yet an India-certified figure, so the real-world number is likely to be lower.
What will the MG Hector Hawk EV rival?
On the electric side, its closest rival is expected to be the Mahindra XEV 9S, with the Tata Harrier EV and Mahindra XEV 9e also in the same price bracket.
