JSW Motors to launch Combat plug-in hybrid SUV in India on December 4

Launch Date And Vehicle Details

JSW Motors will unveil its first vehicle for India, the Combat SUV, on December 4. This launch marks the company's entry into the Indian automotive market as a standalone passenger vehicle brand, following its partnership with MG Motor. The 5-seater SUV was originally planned to debut around Diwali but faced delays, and it will be brought into the country initially via the CBU route. According to Autocar India, the expected price range for the Combat is Rs 40 lakh to 50 lakh ex-showroom. The vehicle is based on the Jetour T2 from China's Chery Automobile, with which JSW has a licensing and component supply partnership that will also bring future models like the Jaecoo J5, Jaecoo J7, and iCar V23 to India.

Design And Features

The India-spec JSW Combat is expected to feature a boxy silhouette, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a spare wheel mounted on the boot door. While the Jetour T2 recently received a facelift internationally, spy shots indicate that India will get the pre-facelift version with slightly revised headlights and bumpers, along with COMBAT lettering replacing JETOUR at the front. Inside, the cabin includes a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital driver's display, powered and ventilated front seats with memory functions, and a 12-speaker Sony sound system. Safety equipment features 6 airbags, a 540-degree camera, and Level-2 ADAS.

Powertrain And Specs

The SUV is powered by a plug-in hybrid system combining a 1.5-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol engine, an 18.4 kWh battery pack, and two electric motors driving the front wheels through a 3-speed dedicated hybrid transmission. Total system output reaches 360 hp and 610 Nm of torque. It offers an all-electric range of 90 km on the NEDC cycle, while the combined range with a full fuel tank goes up to 1,100 km. Manufacturing for future JSW vehicles is also being developed at a facility in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra.

Context

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles combine a conventional internal combustion engine with an electric motor and a battery that can be charged from an external source, offering the flexibility of electric driving for daily commutes and fuel efficiency for longer trips. The entry of new automotive brands through strategic partnerships with established global manufacturers highlights the rapid expansion and diversification of the Indian passenger vehicle market.