Upcoming Mahindra SUVs – New Models and Facelifts

Snapshot – The competition is nipping at the SUV market leader Mahindra’s heels and the Indian utility vehicle major will respond with a big bunch of products over the next couple of years. While facelifts will seek to give Mahindra’s existing line of SUVs a modicum of freshness, new growth for the automaker will come from the all-new range of SUVs and crossovers that are being lined up. These products will lead Mahindra’s offensive into new segments, and will the automaker target a new crop of car buyers in India. Here’s the round up of what Mahindra will launch in the SUV space in 2014 and 2015.

Scorpio Facelift 

Expected Launch Time Frame – 2nd half of 2014

Codenamed W205, the facelifted Mahindra Scorpio is said to be more than just a cosmetic upgrade. Revised suspension is likely to be a major change on the facelifted model. Other changes on the Scorpio will include revised styling and interiors that get a major spruce up. Additional features borrowed from  the XUV500, projector headlamps and LED tail lamps will also feature on the facelifted Scorpio. In terms of mechanicals, the 2.2 liter mHawk turbo diesel engine (120 Bhp-290 Nm) is expected to be retained along with 5 speed manual gearbox. A shift-on-the-fly four wheel drive system will also be retained. The Scorpio Facelift will be launched in the second half of 2014.

Quanto AMT

Expected Launch Time Frame – September 2014

The Mahindra Quanto compact SUV will gain a 5 speed automated manual transmission (AMT). One such example outfitted with the AMT was displayed at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo. The AMT will be sourced from UK based engineering major Ricardo and the gearbox will have two models, economy and regular. The Quanto AMT’s success is expected to spur Mahindra into launching more vehicles equipped with the latest transmission fad in town. The Quanto AMT is expected to be launched during September 2014.

XUV500 Automatic

Expected Launch Time Frame – Second Half of 2015

S101 compact SUV

Expected Launch Time Frame – Second Half of 2015

To consolidate its position as the market leader of the SUV segment in India, Mahindra will enter a new market, one that is dominated by B-Segment hatchbacks. The upcoming S101 SUV will lead Mahindra’s charge into the B-Segment hatchback space with a price close to the 5 lakh rupee mark. Mahindra and Ssangyong are working on a range of new petrol engines and a 1.2 liter-3 cylinder unit sourced from the new petrol engine range will power the S101 compact SUV, apart from the usual sub-1.5 liter turbo diesel motor. The monocoque bodied S101 will be front wheel driven.

U301 SUV

Expected Launch Time Frame – 2015 End

The U301 SUV will replace the Mahindra Bolero, a best selling product. The Bolero is over 12 years old and due for a replacement. The U301 is expected to make major improvements in terms of kerb weight and fuel efficiency. The ladder frame chassis will see hydroforming to cut down on weight while the 2.5 liter M2DICR and DI turbo diesel engines are expected to be replaced by the powerful, yet fuel efficient 1.5 liter twin turbo diesel motor that currently does duty on the Quanto. The U301 SUV will also feature new styling.