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Chinese automakers have been introducing an average of 3.6 new models per day over the past five months. That pace inevitably pushes some of these new models beyond China. The MG Hector Tomahawk is exactly such a case: the three-row SUV has just arrived in India, and buyers are offered a full EV or a plug-in hybrid.
What’s in a name
The name may hint at a link between models, but in reality the Hector Tomahawk shares no parts with the regular petrol-powered Hector. Instead, MG has rebadged the Wuling Starlight 560 — a car that was unveiled in late 2025 and reached Chinese showrooms in early 2026.
Visually, the electric and plug-in hybrid versions can be told apart by the grille and front bumper. The plug-in hybrid has a body-coloured front end, a larger air intake, plenty of black plastic cladding and a skid-plate-style trim. The EV looks simpler and more rectilinear, almost repeating the Wuling design.
Dimensions and interior
Regardless of the powertrain, the crossover is 4,745 mm long, has a 2,810 mm wheelbase and 230 mm of ground clearance. The right-hand-drive cabin can have two or three rows of seats. In the five-seat version, the boot holds 610 litres, while with the third row unfolded only 192 litres remain.
Equipment includes a 15.6-inch multimedia screen, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, gesture control for the touchscreen, a two-section panoramic roof, ambient lighting with 256 colours and a ten-speaker audio system. The highlight is an AI assistant with a karaoke mode and a library of more than 8,000 songs across various genres.
Powertrains
The electric Hector Tomahawk has a single front-axle electric motor producing 201 hp (150 kW). The 69.2 kWh battery provides more than 500 km of range, supports 90 kW DC fast charging, as well as V2L and V2H functions for powering external devices or a home.
The plug-in hybrid combines a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre generator engine with one electric motor and a smaller 20.5 kWh battery. The total range exceeds 1,100 km, including 115 km on pure electricity.
Battery leasing
MG is offering a Battery-as-a-Service scheme in India, meaning the battery can be rented rather than bought. The full price of the EV ranges from ₹19.49 lakh ($20,400) to ₹23.49 lakh ($24,500). Under the BaaS program, the initial price drops to ₹13.99 lakh ($14,600), but every kilometre driven will cost ₹4.90 ($0.05), or ₹7.89 per mile.
The plug-in hybrid starts at ₹25.70 lakh ($26,900) if bought outright. If taken under BaaS, the price falls to ₹21.79 lakh ($22,800), and the battery rental rate reaches ₹3.20 ($0.03) per kilometre.
Sales launch
First deliveries of the electric version are expected to begin in September, while plug-in hybrids will reach customers in November.
Why it matters
This model is another example of how Chinese platforms are being used to quickly conquer new markets. MG did not develop a unique car specifically for India; it took a ready-made basis from Wuling, adapted the design and launched it under its own brand. The battery rental scheme makes the EV more affordable at the start, but at the same time forces the buyer to count running costs. Therefore, the choice between buying the battery outright and BaaS depends on how intensively you plan to use the car. For a market where competition among crossovers is constantly growing, this approach may be a strong argument for those who have not yet decided between electric power, a hybrid and a traditional internal combustion engine.
