While there have been multiple sightings of the Baojun 530 testing on Indian roads, it is for the first time that a mule has been photographed wearing an MG grille.
The MG-badged Baojun 530 has a hexagonal grille with a black mesh flanked by LED DRLs on either side. In comparison, the donor model has a twin-slat grille that has been seen on earlier test mules. The twin-pod headlamps have been positioned close to the bottom corners of the new grille. A set of rectangular foglamps can be found near the air dam. Other than a revised front fascia, the exterior styling will remain mostly unchanged. The interior, however, will have more in common with the bigger Baojun 560.
The MG-badged Baojun 530 will measure around 4.66-metres in length, 1.83-metres in width, and 1.76-metres in height. While the donor SUV is on sale with a range of petrol engines, the Indian-spec model will be powered by an FCA-sourced 2.0-litre MultiJet II diesel engine. For the Jeep Compass, this oil-burner outputs a maximum power of 173 PS, while for the Tata Harrier, it produces 140 PS. It comes mated to a six-speed manual transmission as standard. The petrol engine planned is a 1.5L direct injection motor that will pair with a seven-speed automatic transmission.
The MG-badged Baojun 530 will be produced at the company's facility in Halol, Gujarat, at the erstwhile plant used by General Motors to manufacture Cruze and Tavera. The first-ever SUV from MG Motor India is expected to cost less than INR 20 lakh. Other than the Compass and Harrier, it will offer some competition to the Hyundai Creta and the production-spec Kia SP Concept.
Also See: MG eRX5 (Roewe ERX5) pure electric SUV showcased at Delhi's Move Summit 2018
The MG-badged Baojun 530 will launch in India in Q2 2019. MG Motors India will establish a network of 300 outlets across the country.
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