India is about to get a brand-new carmaker, and its first car is not a small hatchback or a safe, soft-roader. JSW Motors, the standalone passenger vehicle arm of the JSW Group, will make its official India debut on December 4 with the Combat, a big, boxy plug-in hybrid SUV. The launch event runs over two days, December 3 and 4, and the Combat is expected to reach buyers between December and early 2027.
The Combat is based on the Chery Jetour T2, a rugged SUV sold in several overseas markets, and it will be assembled at JSW’s new plant in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra. Early units could be imported while local assembly ramps up. JSW has tied up with Chery International, China’s largest car exporter, for the product, and this is the group’s first car under its own JSW Motors name. JSW is already present in Indian cars through JSW MG Motor India, but the Combat marks the start of a separate, homegrown brand.
360 hp and a claimed 1,100 km range
The headline numbers are the ones buyers will remember. The Combat uses a plug-in hybrid setup built around a 1.5-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol engine, two electric motors and an 18.4 kWh battery pack. Total output is rated at 360 hp and 610 Nm, sent through a 3-speed dedicated hybrid transmission to the front wheels.
On a full charge, the SUV is claimed to cover up to 90 km on electric power alone on the NEDC cycle, enough for most daily city commutes without using a drop of petrol. With a full battery and a full fuel tank, the claimed combined range stretches to 1,100 km. That combination is the real pitch here: silent, cheap electric running during the week, and a petrol engine that removes range anxiety on highway trips.
For comparison, the Jetour T2 on which the Combat is based measures 4,785 mm long, 2,006 mm wide and 1,880 mm tall, with a 2,800 mm wheelbase and 220 mm of ground clearance. India-specific dimensions have not been confirmed yet, but the Combat is clearly a large, five-seater SUV, not a compact crossover.
What the spy shots have shown so far
Test mules of the Combat have been spotted on Indian roads in recent weeks, wrapped in camouflage, and the interiors have been photographed too. Reports based on those sightings point to a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, ventilated seats and Level 2 driver assistance features. The upright, squared-off styling is the car’s calling card: a flat bonnet, chunky grille, flared wheel arches and a tailgate-mounted spare wheel on the international T2.
That look puts the Combat in the same rough-and-ready territory as rugged five-seaters such as the Mahindra Scorpio-N and Thar Roxx, though the plug-in hybrid powertrain is something none of its direct rivals currently offer in this shape.
Price is still the big unknown
JSW has not announced prices, and reports differ widely. Some estimates put the Combat between Rs 40 lakh and Rs 50 lakh, ex-showroom, while others suggest a starting point closer to Rs 25 lakh to Rs 35 lakh. Until the December 4 event, any figure is a guess, and the final price will decide whether the Combat is a niche enthusiast buy or a genuine challenger in the premium SUV space.
What is clear is the intent. A new Indian brand, a factory in Maharashtra, a plug-in hybrid with serious power and a claimed four-figure range: JSW is not easing into the car business. The December 4 debut will reveal the price, the variant line-up and the booking details. For now, the Combat is the most interesting new name on India’s launch calendar.
FAQs
When will the JSW Combat launch in India?
JSW Motors will debut the Combat on December 4, 2026, at a two-day brand launch event. Sales are expected to begin between December 2026 and early 2027.
What powers the JSW Combat?
A plug-in hybrid system with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, two electric motors and an 18.4 kWh battery, producing 360 hp and 610 Nm.
What is the electric-only range of the JSW Combat?
The claimed electric-only range is up to 90 km on the NEDC cycle, with a combined range of up to 1,100 km on a full battery and full tank.
Where will the JSW Combat be built?
It will be assembled at JSW Motors’ new plant in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, with early units possibly imported.
What will the JSW Combat cost?
Prices have not been announced. Reports estimate a range anywhere from around Rs 25 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, ex-showroom. The official price will be revealed at the December 4 debut.
The Combat is JSW’s opening move in a crowded market. If the price lands right, India’s newest carmaker could start with a genuine talking point.
