Spied - IAB reader snaps the 2016 Mahindra Bolero on test

An Indian Autos Blog reader snapped the next generation 2016 Mahindra Bolero on test in Chennai last week.

The new Bolero, which is codenamed Mahindra U301, is one of Mahindra's big launches planned until the end of the decade. The car is spotted on tests regularly in and around Chennai as Mahindra have their R&D center located on the outskirts of the city.

Early reports indicate that the 2016 Bolero will make use of a new hydroformed ladder-frame chassis, and that two derivatives of the SUV - sub-4 meter and longer-than-4 meter - could be launched. Engine options are likely to include a 1.5-liter three-cylinder diesel.

The prototype seen here seems to feature production-ready body panels and doors, though parts like the taillights and the interior are still someway from achieving the production-ready status.

The Bolero name is hugely popular courtesy of it being time proven in semi-urban and rural areas. Now in its 14th year, the SUV brings big sales volumes for the Indian UV maker.

Excluding the pickups, over 100,000 units of the Bolero were sold consecutively in 2011, 2012 and 2013. For the first 5 months of this year, Mahindra sold an average of 9,376 units/month of the Bolero, and the car is on track to achieve annual sales of 100,000+ units again.

Thus, to keep its popularity or brand reach, the all-new Bolero, which is due for launch in 2016, certainly has its work cut out.