Maruti Brezza-rivaling Mahindra S201: What the road-ready compact SUV could look like

Mahindra is months away from launching the Ssangyong Tivoli-based, S201 code-named compact SUV. This vehicle will sit in the sub-4 meter SUV segment, rivaling the likes of the Maruti Brezza, Ford EcoSport and Tata Nexon. Here is a render that shows what a road-ready version of the Mahindra S201 could look like.

Render courtesy IAB

The S201 will be Mahindra first monocoque SUV for the Maruti Brezza segment. It will be front wheel driven, and offered with turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. Class leading outputs are likely and Mahindra is expected to price the new SUV very competitively.

First, the power and torque numbers. The 1.2 liter turbocharged petrol engine on the SUV is expected to put out a class leading 135 PS of peak power. The next most powerful petrol SUV in the segment is the Ford Ecosport EcoBoost, which makes 125 PS.

The diesel engine will be the same 1.5 liter-4 cylinder unit that made its debut on the Mahindra Marazzo. On the Mahindra S201, this motor is expected to have a similar state of tune as the Marazzo – 122 PS-300 Nm. Again, these are class leading outputs. The next most powerful SUV in the segment is the Tata Nexon Diesel, with 110 PS-260 Nm on tap.

6 speed manual gearboxes are expected on both the petrol and diesel variants of the Mahindra S201 compact SUV as standard. AMT options are also likely to be offered with both engine options. An all wheel drive system is unlikely to be a part of the equation considering the low demand for such an option by the predominantly budget conscious buyers of this segment.

The Mahindra S201 will be a five seater, just like the Maruti Brezza and other SUVs in the segment. Expect well packaged interiors, and class leading features. A touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay will be offered. Twin airbags and ABS+EBD will be standard.