Mahindra S101 – In the raging compact crossover segment, Mahindra will drop their baby SUV in, codenamed S101, in early this year. Much like other successful Mahindra products, S101 will have many noteworthy features which will do the selling for the company.
For starters, S101 will be a 6 seater in 3 + 3 configuration, and it will have sizeable boot space. But it will not look like a mundane MPV. S101 is based on an all-new monocoque platform, taking cues from XUV500. So the stance and some design elements will resemble the bold big brother, which is a selling point by itself.
Features-wise, Mahindra S101 is expected to be loaded with all contemporary bits for the segment, in a wide spread of variants just like how Mahindra Scorpio is offered on a platter. In terms of powertrain, Mahindra S101 will host company’s new set of engines, which are part of an elaborate family intended to cater to all products in the portfolio in coming iterations. S101 will be powered by 1.2 litre 3-cylinder petrol and diesel mills, producing hopefully 80 PS and 90 PS peak power respectively.
To top it all, our sources have indicated that introductory ex-showroom price of Mahindra S101 will start at around Rs. 3.99 lakhs, compelling people to jump at the opportunity.
Mahindra XUV500 facelift – With Renault Duster facelift and Tata Safari Storme facelift marching towards launch this year, Mahindra has already redressed the XUV500 for battle. But not too dramatically from the looks of spy shots; camouflages are used to hide new chrome trim in place of black motif in current model and other subtle changes not involving tail lamps and centre stop light at the rear. Even upfront, flaring changes may not be anticipated, same goes for interior as well.
Mahindra XUV500 is still doing consistent sales of over 3,000 units per month, which is not bad at all, considering its chief rival from the French carmaker is not ahead by a far number. However, to keep up appearances, XUV500 facelift is expected to roll out in mid 2015 with a new automatic variant devoid of any big changes to the engine.
Spy Shot Courtesy – Motoring.com.auMahindra U301 – Mahindra Bolero, introduced in 2001, is still doing very good sales, around 9,000 units a month. That is the kind of success only only a few automakers have achieved.
Mahindra is working on a totally new product to repeat the same success story, which is dubbed next generation Bolero. But the company will be retaining the golden Bolero and have a separate mascot for the new product, sitting on its own version of Mahindra Scorpio’s 3rd generation ladder frame chassis.
Mahindra U301 will be built on new 3rd generation ladder frame.Not much about the codename U301 is revealed. It is expected to be driven by motors from the new seven-engine family Mahindra is developing with SsangYong. The new SUV would compete with Ford EcoSport, upcoming Tata Nexon, Renault Duster, upcoming Maruti S-Cross, upcoming Hyundai ix25 and the like.
Thus, in 2015, Mahindra will finish building a strong SUV portfolio stepping into every segment starting from Rs. 4 lakhs to Rs. 22 lakhs, with Mahindra S101, Mahindra Quanto, Mahindra Bolero, Mahindra U301, Mahindra Scorpio, Mahindra XUV500 and Mahindra SsangYong Rexton. Way to go.
Mahindra Quanto AMT – In the first quarter of 2015, Mahindra would launch a new variant of Quanto, featuring Automated Manual Transmission. It will be dubbed Mahindra Quanto Auto Shift (AMT). The model was unveiled at 2014 Delhi Auto Expo in the fashion of a concept, but launch plan was later revealed by the company.
The tail-chopped Xylo is doing very poor sales, in the range of 100 to 200 units a month, largely due to its wardrobe-like looks and availability of highly competitive products in the price range. Will adding an AMT to the variant list improve chances of the mini-MPV getting noticed?
