Mahindra TUV300 is Maharashtra Police Department’s latest patrol vehicle

Mahindra has supplied 100 units of the TUV300, sub-4 meter compact SUV to the Maharashtra Police Department, which will use these SUVs for patrolling duties. The TUV300 is a butch-looking, ladder frame-equipped compact SUV, which competes with the Maruti Vitara Brezza and the Ford EcoSport. The TUV300 is a much taller vehicle and has tremendous street presence compared to other vehicles in its segment. It’s also more rugged thanks to the ladder frame chassis and rear wheel drive layout. The TUV300 is a diesel-only SUV. The vehicles supplied to the Maharashtra Police Department feature blue, yellow and red decals.

The TUV300 is sold with two engine options that are 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder units with twin scroll turbochargers. The engine in a lower state of tune puts out 84 Bhp-230 Nm while the one in the higher state of tune makes 98.6 Bhp-240 Nm. Both engines get five-speed manual gearboxes as standard. A rear wheel drive layout is also standard. Mahindra also offers a five-speed AMT option on the more powerful state of tune. However, the version supplied to the Maharashtra Police Department is equipped with a manual gearbox with the lower state of tune for the diesel engine. Key features such as power steering, tilt adjustable steering, Eco mode, dual airbags and ABS with EBD are available though.

The Mahindra TUV300 traces its origins to the Xylo MUV. The TUV300 is essentially a remodeled version of the Mahindra Quanto, which is in turn a sub-4 meter version of the Xylo. While the Quanto was a spectacular flop, Mahindra used the learnings to come up with a much better looking SUV in the form of the TUV300. Apart from completely new looks, the automaker has also worked on the engine, suspension and interiors of the TUV300. The result is a much more refined, better riding vehicle. While the TUV300 is a moderate success for the brand, it’s still not a big seller. The automaker will launch a brand new, sub-4 meter compact SUV later this year, based on the Ssangyong Tivoli.

Via Auto.NDTV