All-new Mahindra XUV500 to get mild hybrid

Mahindra is working on the new generation of XUV500 for quite some time now. We have seen its test mules running on Indian roads many times. Now, according to the latest reports, 2021 XUV500 will come with mild-hybrid technology. It will not be offered initially when the SUV is launched but will be introduced at a later stage, after a year or so. This will be done to prepare for the implementation of CAFE II & RDE norms. Mahindra is currently planning to decrease its CO2 average through electrified vehicles or pure electric vehicles. The manufacturer had already showcased the XUV300 Electric and the eKUV100 at the Auto Expo 2020.

“But it’s not a single solution. It’s multiple things that we are doing. For example, 48V hybrid might come on some vehicles, electric vehicle. Sensors will help, improving efficiency of diesel and gasoline, both. So – direct injection gasoline engine, GDI. All of these things will help in meeting the regulations.” said Dr Pawan Goenka, CEO & MD of Mahindra & Mahindra during the Q1 FY2021 Earnings call in August 2020 when questioned about CAFE II & RDE.

We know that the XUV500 will get a 2.0-litre mStallion turbocharged, direct-injection petrol engine and a 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine. The 2.0-litre petrol engine is expected to produce 190 bhp of max power with 380 Nm of peak torque and the 2.2-litre diesel engine will be producing 180 bhp of max power and 380 Nm of peak torque. Both the engines will be offered with 6-speed manual gearbox and 6-speed automatic transmissions. Both the engines will be in their highest state of tune, making the XUV500 the most powerful in the Mahindra line-up. The SUV is also expected to come with 4×4 drivetrain.

Also read: MG Hector Facelift to be launched in 2021

As the Alturas G4 might get discontinued soon, the XUV500 will be the new flagship for the homegrown manufacturer. Due to this, they are ensuring that they offer everything that they can with the XUV500. So, we expect the SUV to come with a lot of bells and whistles.

The SUV will come with one of the largest panoramic sunroofs that we have seen on any SUV that is on sale in India. It should also come with ADAS or Advanced Driver Assistant System features which should help Mahindra attract a lot of attention. There are rumours that Mahindra will place a radar for ADAS in the lower half of the air dam and a camera near the interior rearview mirror that will monitor the front vehicles. Equipment like this should enable XUV500 to come with Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Park Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control. Mahindra is sourcing the ADAS equipment from Mando, a South Korean company.

MG Motor is also working on a Hector Plus’s variant that will come with 4×4 and ADAS features. The new variant will be Savvy and will be the new top-end variant of the Hector Plus. The XUV500 will compete against the Tata Safari, MG Hector Plus which is already offered as a mild-hybrid and the upcoming Hyundai Alcazar which is basically a 7-seater SUV. The 2021 XUV500 is expected to hit the Indian market by mid of 2021.

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