Baojun 510 SUV Spied in India: MG Motor’s new Hyundai Creta challenger

MG Motor is all set to make its entry into the Indian car market. The first product that the company will launch in India will be a mid-size SUV. Last month they officially revealed the name of the SUV as Hector. MG is expected to launch this SUV in first half of 2019. It seems like Hector is not the only SUV that MG will be launching in India. Recently, a smaller SUV from MG – the Baojun 510 was spotted testing on Indian roads.

Spyshot courtesy ACI

This is the first time that this SUV is spotted in the country. SUV in the pictures has steering on the Left hand side. MG could be just testing a model smaller than Hector to take on the cars like Hyundai Creta. MG Hector which is based on Baojun 530 will be a premium offering from the brand.

The Baojun 510-based SUV will be placed below Hector with prices for the base variant likely to be starting under Rs 10 lakh. Once launched Baojun 510-based SUV will be the least priced model from MG motors until a new sub-four meter SUV comes in.

The Baojun 510 was first showcased in 2016 and has received an update late last year. It is a five-seat SUV and shares a lot of interior bits with the larger Baojun 530 or MG Hector. Its exterior styling too has a close resemblance to its larger sibling.

Other details including the engines and transmissions of the Baojun 510 are yet to be revealed. The SUV is likely to offer both petrol and diesel engine options as the market leader – the Hyundai Creta – offers both. Similarly, manual and automatic gearboxes are also expected to be on offer.

Meanwhile, the MG Hector – the brand’s first SUV for India – will be launched in the first half and will take on cars like Jeep Compass, Hyundai Tucson and recently launched Tata Harrier. Hector will be a feature rich SUV with 360 degree parking camera, flat bottom steering, dual tone dashboard, largest in-segment sunroof, touchscreen infotainment system and a flat rear floor for maximum space.

The Hector will be powered by a 2.0 liter Multijet diesel engine from Fiat. It is expected to generate about 170 Bhp of power. It is the same engine that is seen on Jeep Compass and Tata Harrier. It will also get a 1.5L petrol engine and a 6-Speed DCT gearbox. In terms of pricing, the MG Hector is likely to sit in the Rs. 14-18 lakh bracket. Value-pricing will help the SUV take the fight to established rivals.