Upcoming launches from Mahindra!

Mahindra is gearing up to launch several new products in the coming financial year which starts April 2012.

There are five models scheduled for launch. The first will be a minivan, (hard-top vehicle) based on the Maxximo platform according to Pawan Goenka, president of automotive sector, Mahindra & Mahindra.

T he new Rexton SUV from Ssangyong’s stable and the next generation NXR under the Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicle stable will also get launched in the second quarter (July – September 2012) of the next financial year. The last of the five models to be launched will be the compact version of Verito sedan.

Here’s CarToqs ready reckoner about the launches we expect from Mahindra in the upcoming fiscal year.

Maxximo passenger van – June 2012

The passenger version of the Maxximo minivan will be launched during the first quarter (April –June 2012) of the next financial year. Mahindra launched the Maxximo minivan (commercial segment) in 2011 at Rs. 3.2 lakh. The Maxximo squarely aims at Tata Ace Magic priced at Rs. 2.92 lakh. Both the vans are soft-top vehicles with eight seats (2+3+3 and are used to ferry people for short distances.

Looks: The Maxximo minivan looks like a box on wheels. Derived from the Maxximo small truck, the Maxximo minivan has a cabin instead of load bay area in the pick-up version.

Performance: At present, the Maxximo Minivan is powered by a 2-cylinder CRDe motor that puts out 25 bhp of power and 55 Nm of torque and mated to a 4-speed manual gearbox. There are no details about the engine specifications of the upcoming Maxximo passenger van.

Expected Features: The Maxximo minivan lacks features such as power steering and AC. However, the passenger variant may likely have these features.

Expected Price:  The Maxximo passenger van  will most likely be sub-4 meter van and hence will get benefit from excise duty sops. Expect the Maxximo passenger van to be priced in the range of Rs. 4 lakh – 5 lakh. The Maxximo passenger van may take on the Tata Venture, but a lot depends on its engine specifications and comfort features.

Mahindra Ssangyong Rexton – September 2012

 

Mahindra showcased the Rexton at the 2012 Auto Expo. The Rexton is a seven-seat, premium SUV.

Looks: The Rexton looks a lot more handsome in flesh than it does in photos. It stands on large wheels and has a bold front chrome grille with detailed headlamps. The car’s rear ends like that of an MPV with a bland boot door and vertical taillamps. The interiors too have a premium feel with a shiny dashboard with impressive fit and finish.

Performance: The Rexton is powered by a 2.7-litre turbocharged common-rail diesel motor that puts out 182 bhp of power and 402 Nm of torque. Expect the engines to come with 5-speed manual and 5-speed automatic transmission.

Expected Features: The Rexton will be equipped with technologies such as catalyzed diesel particulate filter and VGT (Variable Geometric Turbine) turbo charger which reduces carbon emission.  It also features tire pressure monitoring system, Enhanced Parking Brake Technology, a forward collision warning and avoidance system. Four-wheel (4WD) and disc brakes in all the 4 wheels are standard features.

Expected Price: Mahindra is setting up a plant to assemble the Rexton at Chakan, near Pune. Local assembly will help Mahindra to price the Rexton competitively at around Rs. 20 lakh. The company aims to sell 500 – 600 units of Rexton per month.

Mahindra Reva NXR – September 2012

Mahindra showcased the Reva NXR at the 2012 Auto Expo.  The Reva NXR will be launched during the second quarter of the 2012 financial year (July – September 2012).

Looks: The Reva NXR looks lot more stylish and up-market when compared with its predecessor, the Reva. Based on the cars photos, one can expect the Reva NXR to be a proper car with 4 adult seats and a boot space too.

Performance: The NXR will likely be available with either lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries. The Lithium-ion powered NXR can achieve a top speed of 104 kmph and can accelerate from 0 to 40 kmph in 8 seconds. On a single charge, the Reva NXR will run for 160 km.

The lead-acid powered NXR can achieve a top speed of 80 kmph and can run for 80 km per charge. This variant can be charged using regular house-hold power socket and will take 8 hours to full charge the car’s battery pack.

Expected features: There are no details available regarding the features in NXR. Expect basic features such as multi information display, AC, power steering and power windows in this electric small car.

Expected Price: Expect the Mahindra Reva NXR to be priced around Rs. 6 lakh for the lithium-ion variant. In case, the sales of NXR are quite good, expect other car makers such as Tata Motors and Chevrolet to launch Nano electric and Beat electric respectively in the coming years. Read more about Mahindra Reva NXR.

Mahindra Mini Xylo – November 2012

The much awaited Mahindra mini Xylo will be launched a few days before the Diwali festival on 13^th November 2012.

Looks: The mini Xylo is a 5-seater SUV, with the complete boot section of the present Xylo removed. In overall shape, it looks similar to the Premier Rio. The mini Xylo, however is shorter than the Xylo as it seems to run on 14-inch wheels.

In profile, the area up to the C-pillar is identical to the present Xylo, which means this is going to be a very spacious vehicle, as the front and rear seat legroom will be the same as the present Xylo – and that’s very spacious.

Performance: The mini Xylo is expected to be powered by a 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder diesel motor. Expect mileage of the mini Xylo to be close to 18 kmpl in highways, which is impressive and in par with diesel hatchbacks. The 4×4 system may make the mini Xylo a true SUV. But, guess, Mahindra may gauge the market response first by launching the 4×2 and if demand arises, may launch the 4×4 version.

Expected Features:  The mini Xylo may get similar trim levels like premium hatchbacks. Expect the mini Xylo to come with safety features such as dual airbags and ABS. Comfort features may include AC, power steering, power windows and music system with USB and aux-in ports.

Expected Price: The mini Xylo is expected to be priced in the range of Rs. 4 lakh – 6 lakh. The mini Xylo may have to attract buyers who may otherwise go for premium hatchbacks in the same price range. Read more about Mahindra Xylo.

Mahindra Verito compact sedan – March 2013

Mahindra will launch a shortened version of the Verito, a sub-4 meter car that saves on excise duty. It has to be noted that cars with a sub-4 meter length are taxed only 10% while those above 4-meters attract 22% excise duty. The Verito compact sedan is now scheduled for a launch in last quarter of the 2012 financial year that ends in March 2013.

Looks: The Verito compact will copy the same design and dimensions till the C-pillar. After which, the boot section will be shortened (similar to Maruti old Dzire – new Dzire) in order to make its length measure below four meters.

Performance: Mahindra’s Verito compact sedan will likely be powered by two engines: a 1.2 litre petrol motor and a 1.5 litre diesel motor that power the current Verito petrol and diesel models respectively. The 1.5 litre diesel engine makes 65 bhp of maximum power and 160 Nm of maximum torque.

Expected Features: The Verito compact sedan is expected to carry over all the safety features available in the Verito sedan. This includes ABS, EBD, driver-side Airbag, remote door locking, central locking and rear defogger.

Expected Price: The face-lift version of Verito will likely come in same trim levels (G2, G4, D2, D4, D6) priced 10 -15% less than the present model which ranges between Rs. 4.85 lakh and Rs. 6.62 lakh. The new Verito will compete with the Tata Indigo CS, the Maruti Dzire compact and upcoming Tata Manza compact sedan. Read more about Mahindra Verito.