Mahindra XUV500 Launches

Notice: Mahindra Planet will refrain from the usual flow of low key, snark-filled comments about Mahindra in the US in the following post.

Why the reprieve from MP’s de rigueur glibness?  Because the XUV500 really is a vehicle that Mahindra and India is (and rightly should be) extremely proud of.

The Mahindra XUV500 officially launched yesterday in India.  It is Mahindra’s first completely in-house automotive design and engineering effort.  Mahindra has spent years developing the XUV500, with test mules being spotted around India on and off for last three years alone.

As MP has described before, it is a front engine, 4-cylinder diesel, front wheel drive or all wheel drive, unitized construction, SUV.  Performance and driving evaluations are yet to be available, but judging by the overall look of the SUV and the known performance of the 2.2 liter mHawk engine, it certainly seems like the Mahindra should at least be competitive with other vehicles in its class.

 The styling is fantastic.  Mahindra did a great job of retaining brand identity and creating a unique design which will make a lasting impression.  The interior details look great, and fit and finish appear to be miles ahead of any other Mahindra SUV or pickup.

ZigWheels.com has put together a comprehensive article with a huge series of great photos of the XUV500.  Go there to see more details:  Mahindra XUV500: Exclusive Photo Feature

Official: W201 is Mahindra XUV500, December Launch Expected

Mahindra announced today that its long anticipated global SUV will be called the XUV500 (according to the press release, pronounced XUV ‘5 double Oh’), and launch this December in India and select global markets.

Mahindra Planet has detailed what is known of the new SUV on several occasions, and it appears that not much has changed.  The XUV500 will be positioned above all other current Mahindra products and target global competitors like Toyota, Mitsubishi, GM, and Ford.

The XUV500 will be a unitized (monocoque or unibody) design with a front transverse diesel engine layout and likely all-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive versions available.  The XUV500 presents somewhat of a landmark for Mahindra, as it is the first complete vehicle to be designed and developed in-house, and represents a significant departure from the less refined, rugged trucks they currently build.

While the XUV500 was designed for world markets (including the US), it is likely that they will focus on utilizing existing Ssangyong distribution networks and initially focus on markets that Mahindra already has a presence in (like Africa).  However, don’t hold your breath for the XUV500 or other Mahindra products in the US any time soon.

Click HERE for the press release (which doubles as a great drinking game if you down a shot every time they mention the word “truly”).

Source: Mahindra, The Wall Street Journal, Burn Your Fuel