Trademark filings hint that MG's upcoming plug-in hybrid SUV could be named Hector Hawk
The new energy vehicle is expected to debut around July 16, 2026, based on the Wuling Starlight 560 PHEV
JSW MG Motor India is preparing to introduce its first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in the country, and a fresh trademark filing suggests it could carry the name Hector Hawk. The badge would extend the already well-known Hector lineup rather than introduce an entirely new identity, a move that plays to the recognition the nameplate already enjoys among Indian buyers. The trademark's current status is listed as opposed, though this is a routine part of the registration process rather than an indication that the name has been abandoned.
The upcoming SUV is expected to be a rebadged and re-engineered version of the Wuling Starlight 560 PHEV, a model already sold in select ASEAN markets. It has been spotted testing on Indian roads on multiple occasions over recent months, fuelling speculation about its imminent arrival.
Teaser Campaign Hints At Debut Date
A recent teaser released by the company referenced the phrase "Internet Inside" and spoke of powering the next evolution of new energy vehicles in India. This phrasing is being read as a deliberate callback to the original Hector, which was marketed as India's first Internet Inside vehicle when it launched. The connection strengthens the case for Hector Hawk being the chosen name, since it ties the new plug-in hybrid directly to the SUV that helped establish MG's presence in the country.
Based on the teaser messaging, the new energy vehicle is widely expected to be unveiled on July 16, 2026. While the company has not confirmed specifics, the timing and tone of the campaign leave little doubt that this is the plug-in hybrid that has been spied testing.
Expected Design And Specifications
If the Hector Hawk does share its underpinnings with the Wuling Starlight 560, it would measure 4,745 mm in length with a 2,810 mm wheelbase, and come with three-row seating.
Expect boxy SUV proportions, a spacious cabin, generous equipment levels, upmarket cabin materials and a comprehensive safety suite, all traits that MG has leaned on with previous launches.
On the powertrain front, the Starlight 560 offers up to 100 km of pure electric range from a 20.5 kWh battery pack, a figure that dwarfs the roughly 0.5 kWh to 0.75 kWh packs found in most self-charging hybrids currently sold in India. Those smaller systems tend to deliver efficiency gains only in specific driving conditions, whereas a larger plug-in battery promises meaningful real-world electric driving.
Why MG Is Betting On A Plug In Hybrid
MG has built a reputation for spotting gaps in the Indian market, with the Windsor EV and its battery-as-a-service pricing model being a recent example. With hybrid vehicles gaining traction but genuine plug-in options still rare, the Hector Hawk would position MG among the first mainstream carmakers to offer a proper PHEV in India, ahead of a similar model reportedly being planned in partnership with Chery Automobile.
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