Mahindra to launch Verito small car in September 2012

Mahindra is planning to launch a hatchback version of the Verito sedan in September 2012.

“We have plans for Verito. We will launch a hatchback version of the car four months from now,” Arun Malhotra, senior vice-president, sales and customer care, was quoted as saying by The Telegraph India.

The company’s Nasik plant will continue to manufacture all variants of the Verito, including the upcoming hatchback. The announcement about the launch of Verito hatchback is a big surprise as there have been no spy photos of the Verito hatchback so far.

So far, there were expectations only about the Verito compact sedan (sub-4 meter notchback) has been scheduled for March 2013 launch. Also read: Mahindra Verito CS vs. competition. Now, with the launch of Verito hatchback, Mahindra is trying to fully exploit the Verito platform and at the same time, will make its entry into the booming small car segment.

The Verito hatchback makes a lot of sense in the Indian market given that nearly 70% of total car sales come from the hatchback segment. The Verito sedan is a wide body car having plenty of shoulder room for three passengers at the rear, making it a proper 5-seater. This USP will likely be carried over into the upcoming Verito hatchback.

Knowing the strong demand for diesel small cars, the Verito hatchback may come with the 1.5-litre diesel motor that powers the Verito sedan. This engine puts out 65 Bhp of power and 160 Nm of torque. The ARAI-certified mileage of the Verito sedan is 21.03 Kmpl. Since the hatchback will have lesser body weight than the sedan, the mileage of the Verito hatchback could be a bit more than the sedan version.

When launched, the Verito hatchback will have to compete with hatchbacks such as the Maruti Suzuki Swift, Hyundai i20, Honda Jazz, Skoda Fabia, Volkswagen Polo, Nissan Micra, Toyota Liva and Tata Vista.