Mahindra XUV300 AMT Automatic SPIED un-camouflaged ahead of end-2019 launch

Mahindra has begun testing the uncamouflaged version of the XUV300 AMT. The Mahindra XUV300 was launched in India’s sub-4 meter compact SUV space earlier this year, and the vehicle has already managed to find 9,000 homes in India in just 2 months. In fact, the Mahindra XUV300 has already beaten the Ford EcoSport in terms of sales, and has grabbed the third spot in its segment, behind the Maruti Brezza and Tata Nexon. However, the XUV300 does not have an automatic gearbox option currently, a lack that Mahindra will soon address with the AMT option. Both the petrol and diesel engined variants of the XUV300 will receive the AMT option.

The AMT equipped Mahindra XUV300 variants will be launched in India by the end of 2019. The petrol and diesel engines will be unchanged. The petrol motor is a 1.2 liter-3 cylinder turbocharged unit with 110 Bhp of peak power and 200 Nm of peak torque. This diesel is a 1.5 liter-4 cylinder turbocharged motor borrowed from the Marazzo MPV. On the XUV300, this motor makes 115 Bhp of peak power and 300 Nm of peak torque. The AMT that will be offered with these engines will be a six speed unit, and will drive the front wheels of the SUV. As for pricing, AMT variants of the Mahindra XUV300 are likely to be about Rs. 60,000 pricier than equivalent manual variants.

The Mahindra XUV300 is one of the most feature-rich SUVs in its segment. In fact, it offers a slew of class leading features. The SUV gets 7 airbags, traction control, seat belt reminder for all five passengers, electric sunroof, disc brakes on all four wheels, anti-rollover protection, electronic stability program, front proximity sensors, multiple steering modes and a dual zone automatic climate control system. The SUV is based on the Ssangyong Tivoli’s X100 platform. Mahindra has shortened the Tivoli significantly to bring it under the 4 meters length mark, and has also given it a total restyling.

Mahindra is also working on an electric variant of the XUV300. The XUV300 Electric will be shown at the 2020 Indian Auto Expo, and is expected to be launched later next year. It will be Mahindra’s first affordable electric SUV, and is likely to be pegged under the Rs. 15 lakh mark. The electric variant of the Mahindra XUV300 is expected to offer a range of 250-300 Kms, with a 0-100 Kph timing of about 11 seconds. The SUV will have a top speed of about 160 Kph, and a quick charging facility that charges the batteries to 80 % in just an hour. The XUV300 is expected to get a 7 seat, longer version as well. Mahindra is yet to start testing the 7 seat XUV300 on Indian roads though.