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 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.
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.
