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From BYD to Renault, five companies to launch new hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUVs in India over the next six months
Hybrid technology has gained strong traction in India with the arrival of locally built affordable models such as the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder/Maruti Grand Vitara and the Toyota Innova Crysta/Maruti Invicto in recent years. In the coming months, five more partially electrified models are coming to Indian showrooms, and most of them will be locally manufactured, affordable models.
1. Renault Duster Hybrid
The all-new, third-generation Renault Duster is set to receive a hybrid powertrain around Diwali this year. It will have a 1.8-litre petrol engine under the hood, assisted by an electric motor that relies on a 1.4 kWh battery pack. In the city, Renault claims up to 80% of the driving will be done in EV mode, making drives much smoother than the ICE Duster, and more efficient, too.
Also Read: Renault Duster To Likely Get Localised Hybrid Tech Under Geely JV’s Plan
2. Kia Sorento Hybrid
The fourth-generation Kia Sorento, introduced in 2020 and given a facelift in 2023, is finally coming to India, likely in the fourth quarter. It will be offered only with a hybrid powertrain, possibly one based on a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated or turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.
The Sorento Hybrid is available in 5-, 6-, and 7-seat versions internationally, but only the three-row configurations are expected to be offered in India. Unlike its rivals, the Skoda Kodiaq and VW Tayron, it will be locally manufactured and thus could be priced much more attractively.
3. MG 520
JSW MG Motor plans to launch a new SUV positioned above the MG Hector, aiming to compete with the Mahindra XUV 7XO and Mahindra XEV 9S. Codenamed ‘MG 520’, this model will be derived from SAIC-GM-Wuling’s Wuling Starlight 560 and be offered in plug-in hybrid and electric variants. This SUV could debut on July 16.
The plug-in hybrid variant will employ a 105 hp/130 NM 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 194 hp/230 Nm permanent magnet synchronous motor. The latter will be powered by a 20.5 kWh LFP battery pack, which should deliver an electric range of over 100 kilometres. It will likely be offered only as a seven-seater.
Also Read: Honda Lines Up New SUVs, Hybrids & A Localised EV For India
4. JSW SUV
JSW Motors’ first model will be a rugged D-segment plug-in hybrid SUV based on Chinese automaker Chery’s Jetour Traveller C-DM and compete with the likes of Toyota Fortuner and MG Majestor. It will likely be powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and two electric motors, with the latter expected to rely on a 27.2 kWh LFP battery pack that delivers a zero-emission range exceeding 100 kilometres. This model will be assembled locally from knocked-down kits imported from China.
5. BYD Seal U
The BYD Seal U is also a D-segment plug-in hybrid SUV, and it will likely be assembled locally from China-made knocked-down kits. It will be offered here with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a single electric motor. The latter will rely on an 18.3 kWh LFP battery pack that delivers an electric range of 126 kilometres. BYD will likely launch the Seal U in the third quarter of the year.
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