Mahindra KUV100: First look

The KUV100 gets striking design; to come with 1.2-litre petrol and diesel engines; to be priced under Rs 4 lakh; launches tomorow.

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has released the first official pictures of the all-new KUV100, earlier codenamed the S101. The KUV100, pronounced as ‘one double oh’ in keeping with M&M’s tradition of christening its cars with names that end with an O, is a compact SUV which, as the numeric ‘100’ suggests, sits below the TUV300 in M&M’s portfolio.

The KUV100 is the smallest and most affordable SUV M&M has ever made, and is a big leap of faith by the company into the ultra-competitive hatchback segment. The KUV100 will be directly pitted against giants like the Suzuki Swift and Hyundai Grand i10 and M&M has ambitions of stealing market share from these segment leaders. It’s a tall order no doubt but M&M is banking on the fact that the KUV100’s crossover design will be the differentiator and help it stand out in a sea of conventional hatchbacks. 

Mahindra KUV100 rear styling spy pic

In fact, the KUV100’s design is anything but conventional and it’s guaranteed to stand out in the parking lot. However, M&M’s designers who don’t believe that less is more, have once again gone overboard with the styling. There’s a mishmash of design elements and excessive detailing which makes the KUV100 look a bit kitsch. 

The nose has many layers and the pinched grille seems to have been inspired by the Range Rover Evoque. In fact, there’s a bit of Nissan Juke as well. The tough-looking skid plate lends to the KUV100’s SUV credentials but the talking point will be the very striking pair of headlights with LEDs that stretch back almost to the A-pillar.

The smooth and rounded sides are less extreme except for the pronounced fold or character line that extends from the rear doors into the tailgate. You can’t miss the bulging wheel arches either which make the 14-inch wheels and tyres look disproportionately small. 

The rearward sloping roofline and hidden handles for the rear doors, as found on the Chevrolet Beat, give it a sleek profile and the roof line is more hatch-like than SUV. 

The cab-forward design, with the A-pillar starting just after the front wheel arch, hints at spacious interior room, and earlier spy pictures have shown the car gets a bench seat for the front row to make the KUV100 a six-seater. Unlike the Datsun Go which has a pseudo sixth seat, the KUV100’s +1 in the centre comes with a lap belt. However, it’s not the place you’d want to be in, in the event of a crash.

To accommodate the front bench, the gearstick is mounted on the dash, while a smart instrument binnacle layout includes multimedia controls and space for a small screen.Underpinning the KUV100 is an all-new platform developed from a clean sheet of paper. It’s the second monocoque chassis after the XUV500 and uses a similar transverse front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout. There are no plans to introduce a 4x4 version as there would be few takers for it in the segment and would unnecessarily add to cost and weight. The suspension system is quite conventional with MacPherson struts up front and a twist-beam axle in the rear.

The KUV100 also sees the introduction of Mahindra’s all-new engine family badged mFalcon and two other engine options – an 82bhp 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and 77bhp 1.2-litre three-cylinder diesel engine, both mated to an all-new five-speed manual transmission. M&M is also working on an automatic version with a Magnetti Marelli-sourced AMT unit.

Four variants of the KUV100 will be available, with ABS and airbags standard across the entire range. Top-spec variants are expected to be well equipped and higher variants of the diesel will come with a dual-mass flywheel for better refinement.

There’s no word as yet on the prices but sources indicate that the KUV100 range will be very aggressively priced with the base version expected to start under Rs 4 lakh when it is launched later this month.

With its ‘love it or hate it but you can’t ignore it’ styling, clever interiors and SUV appeal, the KUV100 could be the cat amongst the pigeons in the hatchback segment.

The new mFalcon engine line-up

The KUV100 is the first Mahindra to be powered by the mFalcon range of engines developed in-house by M&M. The company has invested Rs 500 crore to design and develop this all-new engine family which includes petrol and diesel engines in three and four-cylinder configurations with cubic capacities ranging from 1.2 to 1.6 litres. This new engine family will power future models from both Mahindra and SsangYong. In fact, the SsangYong Tivoli, which uses a 1.6 petrol and diesel, is the first recipient of the new powertrain.

Six engines – three petrols and three diesels – will be spawned from this new family and additionally, future petrol engines will get turbo-charging and direct fuel injection which could push power as high as 140bhp in the 1.2 three-cylinder turbo-petrol. M&M has invested in a very flexible engine plant in Chakan and both petrol and diesel engines will be made on the same assembly line.

The 1.2 three-cylinder petrol engine is a full-aluminium, lightweight unit with an offset crankshaft and a very stiff aluminium block for better refinement. It gets four-valves per cylinder and twin overhead camshafts to achieve the optimum valve angles and combustion chamber design. The 1.2 diesel also has similar valve gear but comes with a cast-iron block that again has been extensively stiffened for lower noise and vibration.

Developed along with AVL, M&M says it has pushed the envelope on technology with the mFalcon family of engines and has applied for 18 patents.

Q&A PAWAN GOENKA, GROUP PRESIDENT, M&M AUTO & FARM SECTOR

On the significance of the new engine family

This is a full engine-platform strategy, where we wanted to start with a 1.2-litre diesel and petrol, and move on from there. This is very important for Mahindra because it’s the first time we are building a grounds-up petrol engine; earlier, we have derived petrol versions from diesel engines. Of course, thirty or forty years ago, we had gasoline engines, but those were inherited from Jeep. Now, we are also coming up with a new diesel engine at the same time.

On Concerns About Three-Cylinder Engines

It’s true that three-cylinder engines derived from four-cylinder engines were not very well balanced. But grounds-up three-cylinder engines are very good and I don’t think anyone needs to feel apologetic about the NVH. We know that small engines are certainly going to be the future and therefore, there is scope for the three-cylinder to be refined considerably.

On the impact of the anti-diesel sentiment on petrol

Definitely, there will be a higher push for petrol, and all our plants that are set up for both petrol and diesel engines. In the case of the KUV100, the push for petrol will be higher.

On the prospects of petrol SUVs

Petrol will never give you diesel-like driving pleasure unless you go to gasoline direct-injection (GDI) and then you need turbo-charging for low-end performance. It’s very expensive but is fuel efficient too and I believe that’s what will be required for SUVs because Indian customers will not like petrol SUVs without the low-end torque.

Read More

Mahindra S101 compact SUV to be called KUV100

Official KUV100 teaser released; to come with 1.2-litre petrol and diesel engines; official details on this new model to be released on December 18, 2015.

Mahindra will name its upcoming compact SUV, KUV100. Earlier rumored to be called the XUV100, this new model is currently known by its codename S101. The carmaker has released an official teaser of this new model. 

According to our sources, the rationale behind naming this vehicle as KUV100 is that Mahindra wants to position it as a completely different vehicle from its popular XUV500 SUV.  Also, one of the major reason was that the carmaker did not want to dilute the XUV500 brand (commonly known as XUV in the mass-market) with a smaller and cheaper vehicle.

The ‘K’ in the ‘KUV100’ moniker stands for “Kompact”, company sources told Autocar India. Official details of this new sub-four meter vehicle will be revealed by the carmaker on December 18, 2015.

The KUV100 was seen recently with only few of its exterior bits veiled. It gets a cab-forward design, where the A-pillar starts just aft the front wheel arch, which indicates more interior room. It gets a longish wheelbase and the overall profile is unmistakably more compact crossover than SUV.

It gets a crossover-like stance and pillar-mounted door handles for the rear doors – similar to the ones on the Chevrolet Beat. A thick, curved character line runs from the rear door all the way towards the rear hatch. The tail-lamps are large but simple, and merge with the boot lid. The vehicle gets part black, part body-coloured rear bumpers, as well as cladding along its sides. There is a prominent rear spoiler present as well. Higher-spec variants will come with alloy wheels and with the option of a chrome trim.

An earlier set of spy pictures revealed few details of the crossover’s interiors. The KUV100’s cabin has a single binnacle instrument cluster, with two rectangular AC vents that sit on top of the centre console. There are multiple buttons that could be multimedia controls, and some space for a small screen too. 

Under this are three HVAC switches positioned vertically. Interestingly, the S101 gets a bench seat in the front, with the gear lever moved to the dashboard, like in the Datsun Go. The Mahindra KUV100 will come with an all-new set of 1.2-litre three cylinder petrol and diesel engines. While the diesel motor will deliver an estimated 75bhp, the petrol will be good for 80bhp. Like the TUV300, it will get an AMT transmission as well. Sources tell us that the base KUV100 will be priced around Rs 4 lakh, which will put it right in the middle of the mass-market compact hatchback category.

Read More

Mahindra unveils KUV100 compact SUV; new mFalcon engine family revealed

The all-new KUV100 will be launched on January 15, 2016; bookings commencing from 19th December,2015.

Mahindra has officially unveiled its new compact SUV called the KUV100. Earlier known by its internal codename S101, the KUV100 is Mahindra’s new entry-level compact SUV that will sit below the firm’s other compact SUV models – the TUV300 and the Quanto. The KUV100 is an addition to the carmaker's ever-expanding portfolio of SUVs. The vehicle has been designed at the Mahindra Research Valley in Chennai.

Unlike the recently launched TUV300 which sports a squarish silhouette, the KUV100 gets a round and muscular appearance, more in line with modern-day small crossovers like the Ford EcoSport. It gets a cab-forward design where the A-pillar starts aft the front wheel arch pointing to more interior room. It gets a longish wheelbase and the overall profile is unmistakably more compact crossover than SUV.

Like the Mahindra XUV500, the basic proportions of the KUV100 work very well for the model. Up front the KUV100 gets a pinched grille with large headlights that look a bit similar to the Range Rover Evoque's. The multi-layered bumper and chin give the KUV100 a grown-up appearance from the front. The KUV100’s sculpted bonnet gets a clamshell shape and muscular character lines on either side. It gets a rearward sloping roofline which overall gives it a sport appearance when viewed from the rear three quarters. Moving on to the sides, the raised fenders do look muscular along with the squarish wheel arches. However, the design cuts and thick character lines on the body are slightly overstated. The KUV100 gets a pillar-mounted door handle, just like the Chevrolet Beat, which gives the compact SUV a coupé-like appearance when viewed from the sides.

Spy pics of the interiors seen earlier showcased interesting details like a bench seat for the front row, just like the Datsun Go with the gear lever moved to the dashboard. The KUV100’s cabin is likely to get a single binnacle instrument cluster, with two rectangular AC vents that sit on top of the centre console. There are multiple buttons that look like multimedia controls, and space for a small screen too. Under this are three HVAC switches positioned vertically.

With the KUV100, the carmaker has introduced its new family of engines badged mFalcon. These include diesel and petrol derivatives. The petrol motor on duty will be a three-cylinder 1.2-litre engine churning out 82 bhp at 5,500rpm, while the diesel will also be a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder unit good for 77bhp. 

The Mahindra mFalcon diesel engine family includes petrol and diesel engines with three primary displacements – 1.2-litre, 1.5-litre and 1.6-litre – which will be further separated by its derivatives and power ratings. While the 1.6-litre engines have already been launched on the SsangYong Tivoli crossover sold overseas, the 1.2-litre range will make its debut in the KUV100. The 1.5-litre range, however, is still under development and will be seen on future products from Mahindra or SsangYong.

Mahindra’s new engine mFalcon family can be seen as its answer to Ford’s popular EcoBoost engine range. There are also talks of turbocharging and direct-injection tech to be added to this new engine family, all of which can deliver a max power output of upto 130bhp from the mFalcon 1.2-litre petrol motor. 

The KUV100 will come in four variants. Mahindra will offer a safety pack that includes dual airbags across all variants. ABS will be standard across all trims. The KUV100 will be launched on January 15, 2016 and bookings for the model will commence from December 19, 2015.

Read More

Mahindra's new range of petrol and diesel engines detailed

The new engine family from Mahindra features three petrol and three diesel engines; capacities range from 1.2 to 1.6 litre.

Way back in March 2013, we broke the news that Mahindra is working on an all-new engine family that will be featured in its future range of vehicles. This new engine line-up will be seen in offerings from Mahindra as well as in models from the SsangYong brand sold in India and overseas. The carmaker has invested around USD 800 million in development of this all-new engine range. This range will include three main derivatives, with more sub-derivatives under each, depending on power and torque output and other specifications.

The new engine family includes three petrol and three diesel engines with capacities ranging from 1.2 to 1.6 litre. Developed on a modular architecture, the base 1.2-litre motors will be three-cylinder units, while the higher capacity 1.5- and 1.6-litre engines will have four cylinders.

The new set of engines use common parts and have a common 'bore center spacing' to optimise manufacturing costs. They are also being developed to be capable of clearing emission norms as high as Euro VI for use in international markets. While the engine development is an undertaking between Mahindra and its Korean affiliate, it's the parent company that will take the lead in this ambitious programme. Hence, the bulk of the development will be carried out in the Mahindra Research Valley (MRV), the company's state-of-the-art R&D facility outside Chennai.

The first set of engines from this range was launched internationally in the SsangYong Tivoli crossover. This model gets the top of the line 1.6-litre four-cylinder derivatives in both petrol and diesel versions, called e-XGi160 and e-XDi160 respectively. The 1.6-litre petrol delivers 126bhp while the diesel is good for 113bhp. These engines are mated to Aisin-developed six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes.

The recently unveiled KUV100 is the second model to benefit from this engine family. Mahindra has christened this range as the mFalcon engine range. The KUV100 gets the 1.2-litre versions of these engines. The three-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol is dubbed G80 while the 1.2-litre diesel powerplant is called D75. The G80 gets an aluminium block with dual-VVT setup and a plastic intake manifold, variable oil pump and low friction seals. It generates 81.8bhp of power and 11.73kgm of torque.  The D75 gets advanced turbo charger and like the G80, comes with some plastic parts to reduce weight. This motor also features an advanced fuel pump, plastic intake manifold, next generation turbocharger, and advanced thermostats and churns out 76.43bhp and 19.37kgm of torque. Both powerplants are likely to be mated to a five-speed manual gearbox in the KUV100. An AMT gearbox will be offered, but at a later stage.

Mahindra has confirmed that the third derivative in the family, the 1.5-litre setup, is under development and will be introduced in a future Mahindra product, which is still some time away.

The KUV100 will be launched on January 15, 2016 and bookings for the model are open now. The KUV100 will be offered in four variants. Mahindra will offer a safety pack with dual airbags across all variants. ABS will be standard across all trims of the new compact SUV.

Read More

Mahindra XUV500 facelift review, test drive

Mahindra XUV500 gets an update and it is all the better for it. 

DETAILS

• Make  Mahindra
• Model  XUV 500
• Edition  2015

 

 What is it ?

This is the facelifted version of the Mahindra XUV500 and one that builds on the last round of updates made to the SUV in 2013. While the basic shape is the same as before, there’s a revised nose that’s home to a more contoured bonnet, a toothy new grille (à la the Scorpio), and upgraded headlights with new Z-shaped LED light guides. The front bumper is new too and has thankfully lost the fussy ‘cheetah-inspired’ details seen on the original model. The whole look now is less of a mishmash of varied elements, but gaudy details are still abound such as the chrome shrouds for the new high-set auxiliary lamps. A new design for the 17-inch wheels, rear view mirrors with integrated puddle lamps, chrome lining for the window line and a chrome garnish above the number plate are the most notable changes elsewhere on the exteriors of the revamped XUV.

There’s a whole lot different in the cabin too. The new black and beige interior looks upmarket, and fit and finish seems improved as well — those shiny soapbox plastics on the centre console are finally a thing of the past. Sporty aluminium pedals and blue backlighting (in place of the earlier red) have also helped in bettering the new feel. Also significantly reworked is the Visteon-developed 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The touch interface is among the smoothest around and also boasts enhanced functionality as it doubles up as a display for the new rear-view camera. While we couldn’t test it, Mahindra’s updated Blue Sense app also allows occupants to hook up their phones to the system to control audio and air-con settings — handy for the chauffeur-driven. The new XUV also sees the addition of a fourth and range-topping W10 variant that gets features like keyless entry and go, an electric sunroof and even a six-way adjustable powered driver’s seat. Like before, seat comfort is good as long as the occupants don’t intend to make much use of the cramped third row.

What is it like to drive?

In terms of the mechanicals, there’s nothing radically different on the revised XUV. It still runs the same 138bhp 2.2-litre, mHawk engine and buyers still have the option to choose between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. The notchy-in-operation six-speed gearbox is the same too, but final gearing has been revised to aid in-town driveability. While we didn’t find a drastic change in the way the XUV drives, it did feel more responsive to throttle inputs in lower gears. What helps here is the clutch that is more progressive and a lot easier to modulate now. Owners will be happy to note, ARAI-tested fuel economy figures are up 0.9kpl to 16kpl. Helping in part here is a ‘smart’ alternator that decouples when it detects the fully charged battery, thus reducing load on the engine.

Improvements have been made to the XUV’s dynamics too. The steering, dampers, springs and anti-roll bars have been optimised while Bosch’s latest ESP system has also been drafted in. While the smooth surface of Mahindra’s Chakan test track wasn’t ideal to pass a definitive judgment on ride quality, we did find a marked reduction in the unnerving nose dive under hard braking and torque steer in heavy acceleration. But before you think otherwise, the XUV is still not perfect in this department. The front-wheel-drive version is prone to understeer and strong steering kickback remains an unresolved issue.

Should I buy one?

The new XUV does make a more compelling case than before, with revamped styling, improved cabin ambience and longer equipment list build on the XUV’s traditional strengths. At the same time, the XUV has become better to drive too. Sure, there is still room for improvement but to the average buyer looking for an all-round SUV that meets style and value, the XUV remains among the best options around. More so when you consider that variant for variant, the XUV costs about the same as before. The lower W4 and W6 variants have been priced at Rs 11.2 lakh and Rs 12.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) respectively, while the higher-spec XUV500 W8 costs Rs 14.2 lakh (in front-wheel drive form) and Rs 14.9 lakh (all-wheel drive). The new W10 variant has been priced at
Rs 14.99 lakh (front-wheel drive) and Rs 15.99 lakh (all-wheel drive).

 

Read More

Mahindra Verito Vibe is a hatchback

Mahindra's sub-4-metre Verito derivative gets tail gate and large luggage area.

These are the first undisguised pictures of the Mahindra Verito Vibe which confirms that this sub-4-metre iteration of the Verito saloon, due for launch next month, is clearly a hatchback. 

Instead of simply chopping the boot, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has given the Vibe a two-box body style with a large tailgate straddled by equally large tail lights that sit on a new C-pillar. A prominent lip in the tailgate and roof rails attempt to give a touch of sportiness. However, the sharp rake of the C-pillar is at odds with the Vibe’s otherwise upright stance and is far from cohesive with the rest of the car.  Ahead of the C-pillar, the Vibe is, as expected, identical to the Verito saloon sharing the same doors and body panels. The only difference is up front where the Vibe sports a different grille and front bumper. 

 

Unlike other sub-4 metre saloon derivatives like the Indigo eCS, Maruti Swift Dzire and Honda Amaze, which are aimed at saloon car buyers, the Vibe is targeting hatchback owners who don’t mind trading the prestige of a three-box car for practicality and luggage space. In fact, the Vibe, despite being cut to under 4 metres is likely to be the hatchback with the biggest boot. 

 

The rest of the Vibe is similar to the Verito or the Renault Logan on which this car is originally based. It is powered by the same Renault K9K 1.5 litre diesel engine, which puts out a modest 68bhp. The weight difference between the Vibe and regular Verito is expected to be marginal and hence the hatchback’s performance is likely to be similar to the saloon’s. There is no petrol engine option planned for the Vibe which at launch, will be available with just one engine option

M&M is expected to launch the Vibe sometime in May for an estimate price of around Rs. 5.75 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base model. M&M currently sells an average of 1,200 Veritos a month but mainly to the taxi market. With the Vibe, M&M hopes to at least double the combined sales of the Verito saloon and Vibe but more importantly, attract private buyers with its new hatchback. 

Read More

Mahindra e2o review

Mahindra has launched its electric car, the e2o, at a price of Rs 5.96 lakh in Delhi. Here's our first impression of what it's like to drive.

Mahindra Reva’s e2o is a new-generation electric car that has had a long gestation period. It started life as the NXR concept designed by Dilip Chhabria (DC), benefited hugely by the experience of Mahindra when the Indian UV maker bought into the company  and is today built in a futuristic, all-new state-of-the-art plant in Bangalore. Electric cars haven’t managed to penetrate into the mainstream and the company’s earlier car, the Reva i was pretty far off from being either practical or useable. The new e2o, however, promises to deliver more of both. 

It achieves this partially. It is a two-door car, so access to the rear seats is poor, luggage space is limited, and then there’s the fact that you can’t roll the rear windows down. Generic electric car limitations reduce practicality as well. A full charge takes five hours and the car has a real-world range of 80-90 kilometres (Reva claims a range of 100km). Still, if these don’t bother you too much or if you can get around the said issues, Reva’s new electric car is a huge step forward.

Mahindra has done a decent job of translating DC’s NXR concept into the production e2o, but as often happens; a considerable amount has been lost in translation. Fit and finish of the multi-layer high-impact plastic body is improved, but some large gaps, like the one for the door, remain.  

The big surprise, however, is that once you are sat in the back, the rear seat is actually quite roomy, comfortable and useable. The front seats are even more comfortable with plenty of thigh support from the wide seats. Even things like the roof lining and dashboard fit and finish don’t disappoint. A large touchscreen interface has been well integrated and the monochrome digital speedo-slash-information pod looks sufficiently high tech. There are still a few tacky bits like the gear selector and the power window switches, but overall, the insides really do work. 

First impressions from the behind the wheel are pretty good too. The pedals are massively off-set and take getting used to, and the gearlever also is a bit fiddly. Squeeze the accelerator, however, and the e2o takes off from rest smoothly and in a jerk-free manner and it is quite easy to keep pace with traffic. 

But ask for more power or a sudden burst of acceleration and the e2o disappoints. For improved performance you need to select ‘B’ or ‘boost’ via the gear selector. Once you do this, throttle reposes are slightly sharper and there’s a bit more tug in the mid-range. Acceleration till around 40kph is quite strong, but after that the power delivery soon tails off even in boost mode. And the e2o tops off around 80kph. 

Mechanical refinement has also been improved vastly over the earlier car.  The electric motor only whines at high speed and the suspension works in a near-silent manner. The e2o’s ride also comes as a pleasant surprise. It is silent and comfortable even over big bumps, which is great. The soft suspension means that there is a bit of body roll when you steer into corners and handling isn’t sharp. The non-powered steering also could get heavy at parking speeds with a full load. 

The e2o’s mechanical layout is similar to earlier Revas. Its uses a tubular and box section chassis, the body is made of high-strength plastic and the electric motor sits behind the rear wheels. The all-important lithium-ion batteries are placed below the front seats. The new car has been crash-tested in Spain, it uses 10 on-board computers and Reva has come up with a number of innovative solutions for which it has filed 30-odd patents. You can plan your trip with the help of Google Maps, the software telling you how far you can go before having to turn back. You get an additional 10km of ‘limp home’ range before your battery completely dies and Reva can even ‘revive’ your dead battery and give you a further 10km still, all via a remote link to your car. A 15-minute quick charge can get you 25 additional kilometres, you are connected to the car via a phone app that can start your air-con for you, lock and unlock the Reva, and the company even sells a solar charger for the car for approximately Rs 1.5 lakh (The Sun2Car program can get you a free 50-60 percent charge every day, sunlight willing).

The e2o is not as practical as an everyday hatch. The two-door configuration means access to the rear is poor, the batteries have a limited range and build and construction aren’t really up there with most hatches from Hyundai or Maruti. Accept its limitations, however, and the e2o is a surprisingly usable city car. It is a bit underpowered, but it is smooth, silent, easy to drive, surprisingly high on tech, and at the end of the day, has what it takes to get the job done. Mahindra will launch the car in six cities in the first phase. Prices in Delhi start at Rs 5.96 lakh (on-road) after a subsidy from the state government to the tune of Rs 1.8 lakh. But even at this price, the car isn’t cheap. Look at prices outside Delhi (see table below) where very little subsidy exists and prices are well into saloon segment levels. This makes the e2o difficult to justify as a logical buy, even when you consider the negligible running costs. Like most electric cars around the world, this is a car you buy if you like the idea of owning and driving an electric vehicle; it’s as simple as that.

Fact File

Price Range (in lakhs)*

Ex-showroom price

Rs 5.96 lakh (on-road, Delhi)

Engine

Type	3 phase induction motor
Power	19kW (25.5bhp) at 3750rpm
Torque	5.40kgm at 3400rpm

Dimensions

Length	3280mm
Width	1514mm
Height	1560mm
Wheel base	1958mm

Suspension

Front	MacPherson strut, anti-roll bar
Rear	Non-independent, coil springs

Brakes

Front	Discs
Rear	Drums

Economy

Tank size

Range: 100km (under test conditions) Battery: 48V Lithium-ion battery; 5 hours full charge

Read More

New sub-four metre Verito spotted

Mahindra's sub-four metre Verito seen testing, likely to get a 1.5-diesel motor.

After the launch of the sub-four metre Quanto, Mahindra looks all set to launch its next offering in the segment. We found evidence of this as our alert reader Senthil Kumar spotted the Verito-based compact being tested in Chennai and sent us spy photographs.  

The sub-four metre Verito is expected to sport styling cues similar to the recently facelifted Verito. We expect the front bumper of the car to be altered a bit. It will use the same basic structure as its bigger sibling, though Mahindra’s engineers have chopped off a large chunk of the boot while having retained the wheelbase. As seen in the photos, the tail-lamps have been moved upwards on the D-pillar. 

As far as mechanicals are concerned, unlike the Verito saloon which is powered by 1.4-petrol and 1.5-diesel motors, the compact version may come with only a 1.5-diesel motor.

With the sub-four metre Verito, Mahindra will be ready to take the fight to Maruti's Dzire and Tata's Indigo eCS. The sub-four metre variant will be sold alongside the existing saloon.

Read More

Mahindra Verito Executive launched

M&M launches a new Executive edition trim for its Verito, which includes new interior and exterior bits; priced at Rs 7.75 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has announced the launch of the Verito Executive edition. This new trim has been priced at Rs 7.75 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The Verito Executive edition’s interior gets Italian leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and matching door inserts. The car also comes equipped with a touchscreen navigation unit with Bluetooth capability. New alloy wheels, body decals, ‘Executive’ badging, and what the company calls ‘blue vision’ headlamps round up the additions to the exterior of the car.

Speaking on the launch of the Verito Executive edition, Pravin Shah, chief executive, automotive division, M&M, said, “The Verito Executive edition will add a premium and aspiration quotient to the sedan. Together with the proposition of space and mileage, which the Verito is already known for, this new edition will provide premium interior and exterior features to our customers. The features of the Verito Executive edition have been carefully chosen to meet the increasing customer demand and aspiration for a stylish sedan. This will clearly take the Verito to the next level in terms of style, premiumness, convenience and comfort.” 

Read More

New Mahindra electric car is e2o

Mahindra e₂o to be produced in Bangalore and will be priced at around RS 5.5-6 lakh.

                                      Mahindra Reva e2o                                   

Mahindra has officially revealed that the replacement of the Reva electric car will be called the Mahindra e₂o. The e₂o was earlier showcased at the Auto Expo as the Reva NX-R. We broke the news of the Reva NX-R being called the e₂o in October last year. 

According to Mahindra, the e₂o is a result of the group’s vision of the ‘future of mobility’. It involves the creation of future-ready vehicles that meet the 5 Cs framework of – clean, convenient, connected, clever and cost effective.

 

The e₂o will be manufactured at Mahindra’s new plant in Bangalore. This plant, according to the company, has a rated annual production capacity of 30,000 cars.

 

The Mahindra e₂o will come with an electric motor that derives power from 48-volt lithium-ion batteries capable of powering the car for about 100km on a single charge. Mahindra sees promise in this project and is considering leasing out the batteries which are an expensive component to replace. With prices likely to range from Rs 5.5-6 lakh, India’s latest EV won’t be cheap but SOPs on electric cars could bring prices down in the future.

Read More

Mahindra launches XUV mobile app

M&M’s blue sense app can control the XUV500 infotainment system

Mahindra & Mahindra has launched the Blue Sense app for its XUV500. The app is supported on the W8 model and comes with a host of features. The app is supported on Android phones and connects to the XUV500’s infotainment system. Users will be able to control the infotainment system through the app and also access information related to climate control, TPMS (Tyre pressure monitoring system), fuel statistics. This will also enable users to keep tabs on important maintenance data. 

Speaking about the app, Mr Rajan Wadhera, chief executive – technology, product development & sourcing, said, “The Mahindra BLUE SENSE® APP is designed to take user experience to the next level. This first-of-its-kind smart app will provide greater convenience, accessibility and information to the driver as well as co-passengers to ensure a safe, pleasurable and hassle-free driving experience. We have ensured that over 41000 existing XUV500 owners can also upgrade their XUV500 with the Mahindra BLUE SENSE® APP.”

 

Existing as well as new XUV500 customers can download the app from the Mahindra website.

Read More

M&M Xylo receives ‘Master Brand’ award

Mahindra & Mahindra’s Xylo MPV receives prestigious ‘Master Brand’ award from CMO Asia and World Brand Congress.

Mahindra & Mahindra has announced that its Xylo MPV has been awarded the ‘Master Brand’ award for 2012-13 by CMO Asia and the World Brand Congress.

According to Vivek Nayer, chief marketing officer, automotive division, Mahindra & Mahindra, “This achievement gives us tremendous satisfaction as this is a recognition based on brand reputation, customer loyalty and market acceptance.  It recognizes our continued focus on delivering a strong customer value proposition that is unique and customer-centric. We believe that with the Xylo, we have created a strong brand that appeals to our customers for its technology features, luxurious space and comfort. It is an honour for the Xylo to be selected as a Master Brand amongst a host of other brands that are successful in their own right.”

The ‘Master Brand’ award recognises key parameters such as market dominance, longevity, goodwill, customer loyalty and the overall market acceptance for the brand. Brands are ranked according to their appeal to a very wide set of consumers - from premium to mass, according to the brand’s ability to keep in tune or ahead of ever-changing consumer needs.

Read More

Mahindra electric car to be called E2O; coming this year.

The long-overdue environment-friendly vehicle is expected to be priced at Rs 5.5-6 lakh

Mahindra & Mahindra is in the final stages of developing its new electric car, likely to be called the E2O(e-two-oh). Expected to go on sale by November, the car will be powered by a 29KW(39.4bhp) electric motor and will use 48-volt compact lithium ion batteries. Earlier plans for launching a more affordable lead acid battery-equipped version, it seems, have been shelved for now. What Mahindra is planning to do however, in an effort to make ownership more affordable, is lease the batteries, thus making them a component of running costs. We expect the E2O to cost around Rs 5.5-6 lakh.

The E2O family is also likely to sprout other electric variants which will allow Mahindra to spread the cost of the platform. In an effort to keep costs in check, there is also likely to be sharing of parts from the Mahindra parts bin. The carmaker also says it is expecting to push the car through corporate sales. 

Companies, especially environment-friendly ones, could lease a large number of cars, provide charging points for their employees and help maintain them as well. The E2O will also be the first Mahindra to come out of the recently inaugurated green plant at Bangalore. Pawan Goenka, president of the automotive division, said that investing in an electric car project makes financial sense. Manufacturing an electric vehicle is cheaper than making cars with internal combustion engines and the cost of building a plant with an annual capacity of 6,000 units is not as high as that of a conventional vehicles facility. M&M has invested Rs 2,500 crore in the electric vehicle plant so far. 

What’s also essential for the viability of the project is support from the government. Makers of electric cars in the past received SOPs to the tune of Rs 1 lakh. The National Mission for Electric Mobility (NMEM) however, is expected to announce further benefits that could deliver a substantial benefit to makers of electric cars. 

Read More

Mahindra SsangYong Rexton review

The Rexton is SsangYong's first offering in India after being taken over by Mahindra. Does it pack in enough to put up a good fight?

Mahindra & Mahindra’s acquisition of the Korean Ssangyong brand paved the way for the Indian car manufacturer to further strengthen its position in the SUV segment. And while last year’s launch of the well-received XUV500 marked Mahindra’s first premium SUV offering, M&M has now introduced the Ssangyong Rexton premium SUV to take things up a notch. The Rexton, in a nutshell, is a big, body-on-frame SUV that will compete with the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Ford Endeavour.

For an SUV that is both longer and wider than the already large Toyota Fortuner, the Rexton lacks the road presence that even the marginally smaller Pajero Sport has in spades. That’s down to the facelifted Rexton’s sloping bonnet, gently peeled-back headlamps and curvy grille, which lend the front a certain softness.

Despite that, however, the car manages to look a whole lot better than the model it replaces and the overall styling, especially at the front, is quite contemporary. That chrome-rich grille gives the front plenty of flash, the headlamps with their projector pods are smartly detailed, and those heavily flared wheel arches give the design much needed muscle. Further back, the wraparound rear windscreen looks quite neat and injects much flair to the tail section.

Open the Rexton’s doors and you will find that the cabin looks plush, everything appears solidly put together, and the leather seats with their soft cushioning and smart stitching are really inviting too. Panel fit is excellent and the soft-touch plastics on the dashboard-top feel like they’re from an expensive German saloon.

The Rexton also comes loaded with features like a touchscreen interface for the audio system, DVD player, Bluetooth telephony, satellite navigation, sunroof, climate control, rear parking sensors, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control and steering-mounted audio controls.

However, it’s when we move to the back that the Rexton’s cabin loses some points. For starters, the slightly low-set seats and high floor compromise the seating posture to some extent, though it’s still better than an Endeavour. The cabin also isn’t as roomy as the large exteriors lead you to believe.

As for the last row of seats, the less said the better. You sit virtually on the floor with your knees pointing towards your chin, and with no headrests for these seats, your neck is left unsupported too. If there’s some consolation, it’s that the rearmost section gets a pair of air-con vents with their own blower speed control.

The Rexton comes with a 2.7-litre, in-line five-cylinder DOHC turbo-diesel motor, with the option of five-speed manual and five-speed auto transmissions. Curiously, the engine is tuned differently for the two gearboxes, so as a manual it produces 162bhp and 34.7kgm of power and torque, respectively, while in the automatic it produces a far more substantial 184bhp and 41kgm. The automatic variant also comes with permanent all-wheel drive, and this allows the Rexton to get off to a clean start and post a quick 0-100kph time of 10.92 seconds.

However, the engine makes quite a racket, one that gets progressively louder as the revs rise. The nine-blade radiator fan is responsible for most of this. Then there’s the slow-witted automatic gearbox that takes much away from the driving experience. You can change gears manually via buttons on the steering wheel, or alternatively, a switch on the gear lever.

While the Rexton Auto’s 11.18kpl ARAI-tested figure makes it quite the diesel-guzzler, its power delivery is nice and linear, and for relaxed driving in the city or on the highway, the engine should cope well enough.

Weighing in at around two tonnes the Rexton is just as heavy as its body-on-frame contemporaries. Its suspension, which is a combination of double wishbones in the front and coil springs and a live axle at the rear, is also similar to what you’ll find on the Fortuner and Pajero Sport. Driving around Mahindra’s test track, we found the Rexton too softly sprung to derive any pleasure out of driving it with enthusiasm. However, the high-profile 235/75 R16 tyres do absorb a lot of the road shock and, in that sense, work admirably to shield you from smaller surface blemishes.

Mahindra’s new flagship, then, is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, it’s smart looking, well-built, comes loaded with features and has a cabin that’s premium enough to give it a serious edge over its rivals. On the flipside, the noisy engine, slow auto gearbox, bumpy ride and mediocre handling all take away from its appeal. Tipping the scales back in its favour, however, is the fact that Mahindra has launched it at a killer price. At Rs 19.67 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai), the Rexton Auto is a few thousand more expensive than the Endeavour 4x2 Auto and a full Rs 2 lakh cheaper than the Fortuner Auto. The lesser-equipped manual Rexton is an even more appealing proposition, with a price of Rs 17.67 lakh, which makes it the most affordable SUV in this class, by far. At these prices, buyers are likely to gloss over the Rexton’s not-so-good aspects and think of it more as a value buy. Mahindra has successfully played on the VFM card before, so there’s no denying the Rexton’s potential to strike a chord with Indian buyers.

Fact File

Price Range (in lakhs)*

Ex-showroom price

Rs 17.67lakh (MT), Rs 19.67lakh (AT)

Engine

Fuel	Diesel
Type	5-cylinder, 2696cc
Power	162bhp (MT), 184bhp (AT)
Torque	34.7kgm (MT), 41kgm (AT)

Transmission

Type	Torque on demand/ All-wheel drive
Gearbox	5-speed manual, 5-speed auto

Dimensions

Length	4755mm
Width	1900mm
Height	1840mm
Wheel base	2835mm
Ground clearance	252mm

Read More

Mahindra Quanto Review

To watch The Whole New Quanto's review click on the link  :-
 
http://autoexpo4.blogspot.in/mahindra quanto review

Read More