Tata Xenon: Your Next Dodge Dakota?

Mahindra’s main Indian competitor in the global compact diesel pickup segment is the Tata Xenon. The Xenon pickup was designed to be a world market light truck for Tata. Since its launch in 2007, Xenon has found sales success in Asia, parts of Europe and Latin America. The Xenon is Tata’s best selling vehicle in Europe.

The Xenon competes in the same class as the Mahindra TR20/TR40 (Getaway in India/Pik-Up in Australia) and the Toyota Hilux. Like the Mahindra and the Toyota it’s available as a 4x4 and 4x2 with double cab and single cab versions. In some markets it is also available as a 1-1/2 cab and cab-only versions (no cargo bed).

The Xenon has two engine options: An iron 3.0 liter DICOR (direct injection common rail) 4-cylinder diesel (turbocharged with intercooler) rated at 115hp and 222lb-ft torque, meeting Euro III emission requirements, and an aluminum 2.2 liter DICOR 4-cylinder diesel with intercooled turbo cranking out 140hp and 236lb-ft torque that meets Euro IV emission requirements.

MahindraPlanet has not heard any rumors of Tata bringing a version of the Xenon to the US market. However, we are certain that Tata is keeping a close eye on Mahindra’s entrance to America and they are taking notes for the future.

In the interest of speculation, would it be hard to imagine Tata not bringing the Xenon to the US? Their 2.2 liter engine already meets Euro IV requirements. Requirements Mahindra appears to be striving to attain with their new mDI series engines. Tata owns the Jaguar and Range Rover brands. That gives them some existing US infrastructure if they were to bring a pickup here under the Tata (or another) brand name.

Alternatively, the apparently frozen plan to build Fiat branded Xenons with Fiat engines and drivetrains in Argentina could still become a reality. Fiat and Tata have a well established financial, manufacturing, and technical relationship. Now that Fiat owns Chrysler, could we see Fiat or even Dodge/Ram branded Tata Xenon pickups in the future? Could the current or next generation Xenon be the next Dodge Dakota?

This scenario is a bit of a stretch, and speculation of a Fiat designed unibody pickup to be branded as the next Dodge Dakota is well documented. But maybe there is still room for a body-on-frame compact diesel pickup in the Ram or Jeep lineup based on a Tata design.

We’ll keep our eyes and ears open.

Sources: Tata, PickupTrucks.com and as hyperlinked

Photos:
Top: Tata Xenon XT
Middle: Fiat Strada pickup (unibody)
Bottom: Fiat Pickup Concept rendering, via PickupTrucks.com

Xylo Wins Awards, D2 and Panel Versions Launched

Awards
Mahindra has won three Indian automotive media awards with their multi-purpose/multi-utility vehicle, the Xylo. Xylo was introduced in January of 2009 as a 7-passenger people mover and has quickly become a very successful vehicle for Mahindra in India.

A new version of the recently crowned MUV of the Year, UV of the Year, and MPV of the Year has recently been introduced, the Xylo D2:

Xylo D2
The Xylo D2 comes with the new 2.5 liter mDI CRDe engine which combines direct injection with Mahindra’s common rail diesel engine technology. The D2 version obtains 30mpg with its BS III (Bharat Stage III) compliant engine. The 4-cylinder diesel has 95bhp and 159lb-ft of torque. The D2 engine is 17bhp less than the previous 2.5 liter m-Eagle CRDe engine (non-direct injection), but showcases Mahindra’s latest engine technology and their focus on meeting more stringent emission requirements. This engine would still be a couple of steps away from US EPA requirements (BS III is equivalent to Euro III), but it is interesting nonetheless.

We mention the Xylo here since that platform will likely be the basis for the Mahindra MUC that is teased on the Mahindra North America website. The MUC appears to be an integrated body/cab pickup which could fit somewhere between a Chevy Avalanche and a Honda Ridgeline.

The new mDI engine seems to be a variation (i.e. head configured for direct injection) of the m-Eagle engine architecture which the Xylo was initially launched with. This could also be a look into the development of future (more powerful?) DI diesels from Mahindra for the US and other markets.

Xylo Panel Van
With 30mpg, a large carrying capacity, and low emissions, the Xylo panel van could also be a potential export vehicle for the US. The D2 might be the perfect delivery or transport vehicle for a business that requires a fuel efficient diesel powered van, but needs something bigger than a Ford Transit Connect, yet smaller and cheaper than a Sprinter Van.

Sources: As Hyperlinked