Chinese auto conglomerate SAIC will enter the Indian market next year with an MG SUV. MotorOctane reader Ankur Patel has shared spy shots of this model’s test mule spotted on the Vadodara-Halol highway in Gujarat.
The MG SUV SAIC is readying for India is a modified version of the 530 SUV from its low-cost brand Baojun. Reports say that the company will re-engineer it in no small degree and rework on its design before pasting the MG badge on it. Body changes will include a new grille and different bumpers to give it the look of the British brand.
The MG-badged Baojun 530 will measure around 4.7 metres in length, 1.8 metres in width and 1.8 metres in height. It will have a 2,750 mm wheelbase. While the original model comes with 1.8-litre naturally aspirated, and 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine options, FCA’s 2.0-litre MultiJet II turbocharged diesel engine is expected under the hood of the version SAIC offers here. Tata Motors will also source this engine for its Harrier (H5X) and H7X.
Also Read: India-bound MG Motor’s flagship SUV has all-digital instrument cluster & Bose system
Class-wise, SAIC’s first model in India will rival models like the Jeep Compass and Tata Harrier. However, with prices likely to start well below the INR 20 lakh mark, we expect some competition from the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Tusker (production Kia SP Concept) too. The company will launch it in the second quarter of 2019 and plans to introduce a new model every year.
[Image Source: motoroctane.com]
