MG’s Starlight 560-based ‘Hector Hawk’ EV spied

MG is gearing up to launch its upcoming ‘new-energy vehicle’ based on the Wuling Starlight 560 in August 2026, and it has been spied testing in an EV avatar. Expected to be called the MG Hector Hawk, the SUV will be launched in both PHEV and EV versions, rivalling the Mahindra XUV 7XO, Tata Safari and Mahindra XEV 9S. It will be built on the new ADAPT platform, which was revealed earlier this month.

1. Spy shots show rectangular LED headlights and wraparound tail-lights
2. It could get a minimalist dual-tone dashboard with two screens
3. EV version is expected to have a 69.2kWh battery and 530km range
4. PHEV could get a 1.5L petrol mill and a 20.5kWh battery, offering a 125km all-electric range

MG Hector Hawk spied: What was spotted?

A blanked-off grille suggests that the spotted test mule was the EV version

The spied MG Hector Hawk is camouflaged like the previous test mules, but a few exterior design details are still visible. These include rectangular LED headlights with LED daytime running lamps (DRLs) at the top and bottom. The grille appears to be blanked off, hinting that the spied mule was the EV version.

It appears to have a clean side profile, with images showing a charging port on the left-rear fender and a simple alloy-wheel design. At the rear, wraparound LED tail-lights, a rear windscreen wiper and a roof-mounted spoiler were spotted.

MG Hector Hawk eSUV: Other details

Expected to have a minimalist dashboard with two free-standing screens

Though the upcoming MG Hector Hawk’s interior is yet to be revealed, it is expected to be similar to that of the Wuling Starlight 560. It could therefore get a minimalist dashboard with two free-standing screens, including an 8.8-inch digital driver’s display and a 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and 7 seats with leatherette upholstery.

Other features are also expected to be similar, including a panoramic sunroof, powered and ventilated first-row seats, a 50W wireless phone charger, a 6-speaker sound system and an automatic climate control with rear vents. The safety suite could have 6 airbags as standard, a tyre-pressure monitoring system (TPMS), hill-hold assist, an electronic parking brake, a rear parking camera with sensors and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

Could offer the same powertrains as the Wuling Starlight 560

The MG Hector Hawk will be offered with PHEV and EV versions in India, both of which are expected to be the same as the internationally available Wuling Starlight 560. The Hector Hawk PHEV could therefore come with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 20.5kWh battery pack, offering a total output of 195hp and 230Nm and an all-electric range of 125km.

The Hector Hawk EV version could get a 69.2kWh battery pack and a 201hp front-axle-mounted (FWD) electric motor, offering a CLTC-claimed range of 530km.

Like other MG models, the Hector Hawk is expected to be sold at a competitive price. In MG’s line-up, the PHEV version will be positioned above the Hector, while the EV will sit above the ZS EV.