MG Motor will launch the Baojun 530 as its first
product in India. The SUV sold the Chinese market was recently spotted
undergoing testing by Autocar India. Baojun is a SIAC-owned brand operating in
the Chinese market.
The report from Autocar India claims the instead of
launching a product from its own stable, MG has selected the Baojun 530 for its
foray into the Indian market. The SUV will be re-badged as MG and re-engineered
to suit the requirements of our market.
The Baojun 530 was launched earlier this year in
China. It measures 4,655 mm long, 1,835 mm wide, and 1,760 mm tall making it
bigger than the Jeep Compass and slightly smaller than the Skoda Kodiaq.
However, the report states that MG is targeting to undercut the Hyundai Creta
in terms of pricing. The source adds that the MG SUV based on the Baojun 530
"will be very different from the Chinese one" and will be reworked
"extensively with a strong dose of MG’s DNA."
Design-wise, the Baojun 530 follows an
unconventional approach for the front end. The primary headlamps are placed in
the bumper with LED DRLs positioned on either side of the upper grille. The
Hyundai Konda and new Santa Fe follow a similar design approach. At the back,
the tail lamps are placed on bootlid like in the Audi Q3/Q5/Q7.
The features list of the Baojun 530 includes LED
daytime running lamps, front fog lamps, leather seats panoramic sunroof,
electric seats, a Harman Infinity sound system, side curtain airbags, and an
electric parking brake.
In China, the SUV's engine options include 1.8 L NA
and 1.5 L turbocharged petrol engines, and six-speed manual, automatic, and DCT
transmission choices. A report from March claims that, for the Indian market,
MG's first SUV will make use of the FCA's 2.0 L Multijet II diesel engine that
powers the Jeep Compass.
If MG does plan on undercutting the Creta's price,
then the Baojun 530 based SUV could come in at a starting price of around INR
9-10 lakhs (ex-showroom). In China, the SUV retails for RMB 75,800 to RMB 115,800.
