Mahindra’s Maruti Brezza-rivaling S201 compact SUV SPIED again

Mahindra is continuing high-altitude testing of its upcoming compact SUV, the Ssangyong Tivoli-based code-named S201 sub-4 meter offering. The S201 will be launched in India early next year, and will square off against vehicles, such as the Maruti Brezza, Ford EcoSport and the Tata Nexon. The SUV was recently spotted testing in the western Himalayas, along with the XUV700. These images were sent in by CarToq reader Parveen Sihag.

The S201 will be Mahindra’s 3rd offering in the sub-4 meter compact SUV segment. The automaker already sells the TUV300 and Nuvosport in this segment but both vehicles are ladder frame-equipped SUVs. The S201 will be a full monocoque SUV, with front-wheel drive as standard, another contrast to the rear-wheel driven TUV and Nuvosport. The S201 is a shortened Ssangyong Tivoli, chopped adequately to fall in the sub-4 meter segment. Mahindra will be hoping that the new SUV attracts some buyers away from the best-selling Maruti Brezza.

Many class-leading bits are expected on the Mahindra S201, from segment-leading engine outputs to an electric sunroof. The SUV is expected to get 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel engines, both of them turbocharged. While the petrol motor could produce as much as 140 Bhp, the diesel unit is said to be capable of about 125 Bhp. Both figures are class leading and significantly higher than those of the Maruti Brezza. However, it remains to be seen if Mahindra offers the same tune on the production version of the S201.

The Mahindra S201 is expected to be feature-rich. Apart from standard safety features, such as ABS and twin airbags, automatic climate control, reverse parking sensors, a sunroof, touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic transmission options and art leather seats are the various bits likely to be offered on the top-spec S201. The 5-seat compact SUV will have a longer, 7-seat sibling that will be launched a year later. Expect prices of the sub-4 meter SUV to start from under Rs. 7 lakhs.