The MG Hector TOMAHAWK PHEV, a seven-seater plug-in hybrid electric vehicle from JSW MG Motors India, has finally arrived in two variants. These two trims are Exclusive and Essence; the former one is available with an ex-showroom price of ₹25.69 lakh and the latter with ₹27.79 lakh. They also have provided the BaaS option with ex-showroom prices of ₹21.79 lakh and ₹25.69 lakh, with battery subscriptions at ₹3.20 per km.
This electrified SUV is available in a 2-3-2 layout featuring two individual seats for the driver and co-passenger, a three-seat bench-like structure that can easily accommodate three adults, as it is one of the SUVs that have decent legroom in the second row to make the long journey convenient, and a third row have two seats in a bench-like structure, but they are designed for kids and pets.
Before the driving seat, a two-spoke steering wheel in D-shape with physical buttons and an MG logo is available, under which there is an 8.8-inch slim digital instrument cluster. The centrally mounted screen, i.e., the infotainment system, measures 15.6 inches; it is integrated with a 10-speaker Infinity audio system and supports wireless connectivity via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for video and audio streaming and other functions too.
The features that enhance the cabin premiumness are a double-pane sunroof, a 50W wireless phone charging pad on the central console, a ventilated front seat with a six-way electronically adjustable driver seat with a memory function, a powered tailgate, MG i-SMART with 80+ connected functions with over-the-air software updates, GenAI voice assistants with 30+ Hinglish voice commands, a 360-degree camera and a level 2 ADAS suite.
For every day’s practicality, it has a cargo space of 192 litres when all seats are in use. Folding the rear seats flat enhances the boot space to 528 litres, enabling the carrying of big luggage conventionally. Its dimensions in terms of length, width, height, wheelbase, and ground clearance are 4,745 mm, 1,850 mm, 1,770 mm, 2,810 mm, and 230 mm, respectively. These dimensions are similar to its EV counterpart, which they launched alongside.
Exterior features including a beacon headlamp with the LED daylight running lights; MG’s illuminated logo on the black trim placed between the headlight setup, black wheel arches and lower body cladding; black roof rails with blacked-out pillars; double-toned ORVMs integrating blinkers; body-coloured conventional door handles; LED taillamps; a roof-integrated spoiler with the braking light; and a skid plate on the rear bumper.
As a PHEV it gets both the permanent magnet synchronous motor and the internal combustion engine. Under the hood, it has 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged Atkinson-cycle petrol-powered ICE with a thermal efficiency of 43.2% and PMSM, they are mated with the Dedicated Hybrid Transmission. The engine delivers 101 hp and 125 Nm, and the motor puts out 198 hp and 237 Nm. An LPF battery pack of 20.5 kWh gives an emission-free 125 km range, and a 52-litre fuel tank makes it drive up to 985 km in MIDC-certified conditions.
The combined range when the battery pack is fully charged and the fuel tank is full, on the modified Indian driving cycle, is 1,100 km, the classic leading range in hybrids in India. Its battery supports DC charger up to 25 kWh, which takes 35 minutes to charge it from 30 to 80 per cent, and the alternative 3.3 kWh AC charger takes 7.5 hours for 10 to 100 per cent charging. To accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h, it takes 9 seconds, and top speed is 160 km/h.
With its launch, the MG Hector TOMAHAWK PHEV has become the first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle to be introduced in the Indian market under the segment. There’s no PHEV rival in India for this car as of now, but it may not remain the same because soon BYD will launch the Seal U DM-i, which will have a combined range above 1200 km; however, details regarding its price are still uncertain.
As of now, the newly introduced PHEV under the MG banner will compete with hybrid electric vehicles, including the Maruti Invicto Hybrid, Toyota Innova HyCross Hybrid, and the upcoming Kia Sorento Hybrid. The all-new MG electrified SUV is an ideal choice for a driver who is looking for a seven-seater car for daily city commuting on EV mode and occasional long drives without any range anxiety.
Image Source: AutoX