Mahindra XUV500 W4 variant launched at Rs. 10.83 lakh!

As expected, Mahindra has launched the W4 variant of the Mahindra XUV500, days after Diwali, the Indian festival of lights and a period when car sales peak. This year, manufacturers are stuck with high inventory level as the negative sentiment in the economy has lowered the lustre of the festive season sales.

Amid all this gloom, Mahindra has launched a budget edition of the XUV500 in the form of the W4 variant. Priced at Rs. 10.83 lakh, ex-showroom Mumbai, the XUV500 could turn out to be bittersweet for Mahindra since its pricing directly clashes with that of stablemate Scorpio. Also see: Mahindra XUV500 W4 variant prices leaked

Instead of the XUV500 giving the Scorpio a tough time, Mahindra would be hoping that the compact SUV duo of the Renault Duster and the Nissan Terrano face the heat from the W4 XUV500’s cut-throat pricing. More than a full Rs. 1.06 lakh cheaper than the W6 variant, the XUV500 in W4 guise loses a few features for its value-price. Yes, we say value-price because the XUV500 does retain many safety features and creature comforts, stuff that isn’t offered at this price level even on smaller SUVs such as the Duster and Terrano. Here’s what you still get on the new XUV500 variant, notwithstanding the lower price tag:

·         Projector Head lamps with LED lamps

·         Dual Tone Interiors

·         Dual Airbags

·         ABS, EBD

·         Side Impact Beams

·         Crash Protection with Crumple zones

·         All-wheel disc brakes

·        Micro Hybrid start-stop system

·         Integrated Music system with CD/MP3 & with 4 Speakers

·        Twin HVAC (front and rear)

·         Power & Tilt Steering

·         Power adjustable outside mirrors

·         Remote central locking

·         6-way adjustable driver seat

·         Reclinable and fully foldable 2nd & 3rd row seats

·         Rear wiper and defogger

With Mahindra leaving  the XUV500’s imposing looks untouched even in the W4 guise (minus the fog lamps and alloys), the crossover does manage to retain its refined yet macho street cred, an important factor that buyers look for in an SUV. If you do see sales of the Duster, Terrano and perhaps even the Scorpio taking a hit in the next few months, you know the reason. Mahindra has revisited history once again, for the XUV500 was launched at an “introductory” price of Rs. 10.8 lakhs, two Diwalis ago. Ever since, the automaker has sold 74,000 copies of the SUV in India, and a smaller number abroad. Will the cut price variant kickstart another booking frenzy for the XUV500? Or has that mad rush subsided?