MG has introduced the Hector Tomahawk PHEV as India’s first mass-market plug-in hybrid, with prices ranging from Rs 25.70 lakh to Rs 27.80 lakh (ex-showroom). It combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 20.5kWh battery and electric motor, allowing it to offer electric-only driving as well as the longer range of a petrol engine. But how does the Hector Tomahawk PHEV’s hybrid system work, and how does it differ from the strong-hybrid systems already offered by Maruti Suzuki, Toyota and Honda? Let’s take a closer look.
MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV powertrain: All you need to know
Gets an electric motor powered by a 20.5kWh battery and a 1.5-litre petrol engine
The Hector Tomahawk PHEV combines a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with a 20.5kWh battery and an electric motor. The petrol engine uses the Atkinson cycle and produces 102hp and 125Nm, while the permanent-magnet synchronous motor develops 201hp and 237Nm. The system sends a combined 198hp and 230Nm to the front wheels.
The petrol engine is paired with a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) with an e-clutch, while the battery uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry. Unlike a conventional hybrid, the Hector Tomahawk PHEV’s battery can be charged externally, allowing it to operate as an EV for more than 115km, according to MG, before the petrol engine kicks in.
How is the Hector Tomahawk PHEV different from a strong-hybrid powertrain?
Honda, Toyota and Maruti Suzuki offer strong-hybrid powertrains in models such as the City Hybrid, Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Innova Hycross, Grand Vitara, Victoris and Invicto. These systems also use an electric motor and battery, but their battery packs are charged through regenerative braking and the combustion engine rather than an external power source. They can drive the wheels on electric power for short periods but do not offer the extended electric driving capability of a plug-in hybrid.
The Hector Tomahawk PHEV’s 20.5kWh battery can be charged from the grid, giving it a greater electric driving capability. It supports 25kW DC charging, which MG claims takes 35 minutes for a 30-80 percent charge. A 3.3kW AC charger is said to take 7.5 hours for a 10-100 percent charge.
MG claims a 43.2 percent thermal efficiency for the petrol engine and around 50kpl combined fuel efficiency. The company pegs the combined range with a fully charged battery and the 52-litre fuel tank brimmed at over 1,100km.
MG offers it with four primary drive modes
The MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV can operate in four primary drive modes: EV, Series Hybrid, Parallel Hybrid and Engine Direct. Each mode uses the petrol engine, electric motor and battery differently. Here is how each one works.
- EV mode: The battery alone powers the electric motor, which drives the wheels. The petrol engine remains switched off, making this the mode used for electric-only driving.
- Series Hybrid mode: The petrol engine runs as a generator to produce electricity. It recharges the battery pack, which powers the electric motor driving the front wheels. The engine therefore does not directly power the wheels in this mode.
- Parallel Hybrid mode: Both the petrol engine and electric motor drive the wheels. This allows the powertrain to combine the engine’s output with electric assistance when higher performance is required.
- Engine Direct drive mode: The petrol engine drives the wheels directly through the hybrid transmission, reducing energy conversion losses associated with generating electricity and then using the motor to drive the wheels. This mode is primarily suited for high-speed cruising.
However, MG is offering no way to change these drive modes manually. The automaker claims the system shuffles between the modes in just 0.1 seconds, depending on the Hector Tomahawk PHEV’s state of charge, speed, throttle input and road conditions.
MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV prices
Although it’s a plug-in hybrid, the Hector Tomahawk PHEV comes with a BaaS option
Both the Exclusive and Essence trims get the same powertrain, but certain features differ. Interestingly, the Hector Tomahawk PHEV is being offered with a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) scheme, just like the manufacturer’s EVs. This scheme reduces the upfront cost by a significant Rs 3.91 lakh.
As mentioned earlier, the MG Hector Tomahawk PHEV is the sole plug-in hybrid in India, offering a more fuel-efficient alternative to three-row SUVs such as the Tata Safari and Mahindra XUV 7XO.
Prices are ex-showroom, India.
Uday Singh
Glenn Noronha
Aditya Panicker
