JSW MG Motor India is gearing up to launch its new-generation MG Hector Hawk in India on August 26, 2026. The upcoming SUV will be one of the first models based on the company’s newly introduced ADAPT (Advanced Drive Architecture Platform Technology) platform, marking a major step in MG’s electrification strategy for the Indian market.
The Hector Hawk is based on the Wuling Starlight 560, and MG has now released an official teaser of the SUV ahead of its launch. While the teaser confirms the arrival of the new model, the big question for buyers is whether the Hector Hawk will be a pure electric SUV or a plug-in hybrid. Current information indicates that MG plans to introduce the model with both EV and PHEV powertrains, although the electric version is expected to arrive first.
MG’s ADAPT platform is designed specifically for new-energy vehicles and can accommodate multiple electrified powertrains, including pure electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, range-extender EVs and strong-hybrid systems. This flexibility allows MG to use the same basic architecture for different powertrain technologies depending on market demand.
For the Hector Hawk, the EV version is expected to use a 69.2kWh battery pack, with reports suggesting a claimed range of around 530km on the CLTC cycle. The electric motor is expected to produce around 198bhp and 310Nm, with power sent to the front wheels. These figures could make the Hector Hawk EV a strong competitor in India’s growing electric SUV segment.
The PHEV version is expected to combine a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and battery pack. International versions of the Starlight 560 are available with different battery configurations, including a 20.5kWh PHEV battery, and the India-spec Hector Hawk is expected to receive a similar electrified setup with market-specific changes. Reports indicate that the PHEV could offer more than 100km of electric-only driving range, although final India-spec specifications will be confirmed at launch.
The use of the Starlight 560 as the base model also gives an indication of what to expect from the Hector Hawk in terms of packaging. The SUV is expected to offer a spacious cabin and a three-row layout, making it potentially one of the more practical electric SUVs in its segment. MG is also expected to equip the model with a long list of connected-car and premium technology features, continuing the brand’s focus on feature-rich SUVs.
The MG Hector Hawk EV will be particularly significant because it could become MG’s first major new electric SUV based on its ADAPT architecture. With the Indian EV market expanding beyond compact SUVs and hatchbacks, the Hector Hawk could give MG a new product to compete with upcoming electric SUVs from Mahindra and other manufacturers. The PHEV version, meanwhile, could help MG target buyers who want electric driving capability without completely depending on charging infrastructure.
MG is expected to reveal the final specifications, battery capacity, range, features and pricing of the Hector Hawk at its August 26 launch. For now, the available information points towards an EV-first launch, followed by a PHEV version, making the Hector Hawk an important model for MG’s future new-energy vehicle portfolio in India.
