5 upcoming SUVs with 400 Nm

Half a decade ago, 400 Nm was a torque number that almost no affordable SUV managed to touch. The Hyundai Santa Fe was the first sub-30 lakh rupee SUV to breach this mark, and was soon followed by the Chevrolet Captiva. We now have the Chevrolet Trailblazer, upping the ante with a full 500 Nm of peak torque. The game has moved on and even affordable Indian SUVs are soon going to join the party. 400 Nm is the new normal, and here are 5 upcoming, mostly affordable SUVs with torque numbers of 400 Nm and above.

Tata Safari Storme

The Tata Safari Storme will be a dress rehearsal of sorts, for the Hexa, which will arrive in 2016. The Storme, a slow seller compared to the Mahindra XUV500 or even the Scorpio, will be the first Indian SUV to hit the 400 Nm button. Yes, the 2.2 liter Varicor turbo diesel engine on the Storme is all set to get a revision, with power going up to 154.8 Bhp, and torque to a full 400 Nm.

This engine will also be used on the upcoming Hexa. The other good bit is the 6 speed manual gearbox, one that should make the Storme much more eager. The 400 Nm state of tune may be offered only on the top-spec VX 4×2 and 4×4 variants though. According to Autocar, the SUV could be priced at 13.37 lakh rupees, ex-showroom Mumbai. Expect the 0-100 Kph timing, currently at about 14.5 seconds, to hit the mid 12 second mark.

Ford Endeavour

The Endeavour is weeks away from being unveiled in India. The big, butch 7 seat Ford SUV will replace its 10 year old predecessor. The new Endeavour will be offered with 2 engines, 2.2 liter-4 cylinder and 3.2 liter-5 cylinder units. The 3.2 liter unit makes 197 Bhp and a whopping 470 Nm. This will make the Endeavour one of the most powerful sub-30 lakh rupee SUVs to be launched in India for the next year and a half, of course under the mighty Chevrolet Trailblazer, which has 500 Nm on tap. The new Endeavour will be offered with 6 speed manual and automatic gearboxes, and a four wheel drive system with terrain response.

Tata Hexa

The Tata Hexa, a crossover that is likely to be aimed at the Mahindra XUV500, will arrive into India early next year. Large and luxurious, this 7 seater will also feature the 2.2 liter Varicor turbo diesel engine in its most powerful state of tune ever, making 154.8 Bhp and 400 Nm. 6 speed manual and automatic transmission options are likely to be on offer. The Hexa is one of the best looking Tata SUVs in a long time, and the butch good looks and the added pep could do their bits to make the vehicle a success. A lot will depend on the pricing though.

Toyota Fortuner

The all-new 2016 Fortuner isn’t coming to India until 2017, but when it actually arrives, it’ll do so with a bang, for there’s a lot cooking. For starters, there’s the 2.8 liter-4 cylinder turbo diesel engine from the GD line up, putting out 175 Bhp and 450 Nm. Brute torque apart, this motor promises great driveability and stellar fuel efficiency. Even the cut price variants of the new Fortuner, with the smaller 2.4 liter GD motor, will have 148 Bhp-400 Nm. 6 speed manual and automatic gearboxes will be served up. As Toyota has plans to build the new GD turbo diesel engines in India, the Fortuner could be served up at an attractive price tag. Competition, watch out.

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

The Pajero Sport is another SUV that will arrive into India only in 2017, but like the Fortuner will pack in enough punch to make the wait worth your while. Downsizing is big, and like most other SUVs, the Pajero Sport will go small on displacement, but big on power and torque. The new, 2.4 liter turbo diesel engine on the Pajero Sport puts out 178 Bhp-430 Nm. The party trick? An 8 speed automatic transmission that will make the SUV a segment leader. This transmission should make great use of all that torque, giving the Pajero Sport some swift legs indeed.

 Also see – Torque monster SUVs of India