Base version of Mahindra S201 compact SUV spied testing

Based on the Ssangyong Tivoli.

IAB reader Prabhakaran Sivasamy has spied the Mahindra S201 compact SUV in the outskirts of Chennai. The model looks like a Ssangyong Tivoli that's been heavily wrapped in camouflage, but upon closer observation, there seem to be a few changes.

The Mahindra S201 measures 4,195 mm in length, 1,795 mm in width, 1,590 mm in height and 2,600 mm in wheelbase. Ground clearance seems to have been raised from the Tivoli's 167 mm to better suit Indian road conditions. As with the Verito, Mahindra, with help from Pininfarina, could give a different skin to the vehicle complete with Mahindra's toothed grille and new alloy rims designs (max 17-inch).

The S201 will be Mahindra's third product to be based on a monocoque platform, following the KUV100 and XUV500. As for engine options, reports say it will sport a new 1.6-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, while the petrol version will pack a new 1.5L petrol engine. Transmission options are likely to include a 5-speed manual, while an automatic variant could be on the cards, although we aren't sure whether it would be an AMT like in the TUV300 or a conventional torque converter found in the Scorpio/XUV500.

Also Read: Mahindra KUV100 sales cross 50,000 units in India

M&M Managing Director, Dr Pawan Goenka, has confirmed that the Mahindra S201 will launch in India in 2018, which is quite a long wait. With the S201, Mahindra hopes to capitalise on the volume potential of the compact SUV segment, which products like the TUV300 and Nuvosport have failed to, and pose a real challenge to the Maruti Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport, Renault Kaptur and Hyundai Creta.

We estimate the pricing to range between INR 8.5 Lakhs - INR 10.5 Lakhs (ex-showroom).