Mahindra KUV100 announced, launch on January 15, 2016 - IAB Report

Debuts new 1.2-liter petrol and diesel "mFalcon" engines.

Mahindra & Mahindra revealed that its upcoming hatchback crossover, referred to thus far as the Mahindra S101, has been christened as the Mahindra KUV100 (Mahindra KUV one double-O). The sub-4m crossover’s nomenclature stands for ‘Kool Utility Vehicle’, and will be available in four variants: K2, K4, K6 and K8.

The company aims to lure buyers looking at B-segment compact hatchbacks like the Hyundai Grand i10 and Maruti Swift, whilst offering the road presence of an SUV, decent equipment list and a new fuel efficient range of engines.

Mahindra executives said that the S101 project was an ambitious one, which was developed at the Mahindra Research Valley in Chennai. Judging by the teaser image, the Mahindra KUV100 will adopt a more curvaceous and contemporary styling that will attract young buyers looking to own a sub-compact SUV.

It is the second product in Mahindra's range to be based on a monocoque platform, first being the Mahindra XUV500. Powering the Mahindra KUV100 is a new range of "Falcon" engines, which includes 1.2-liter three cylinder petrol (mFalcon G80) and 1.2-liter three-cylinder diesel (mFalcon D75) engines.

The dual VVT petrol unit outputs 82 bhp at 5,500 rpm and 114 Nm at 3,500 rpm, while the diesel engine produces 77 bhp at 3,750 rpm and 190 Nm between 1,750-2,250 rpm. As for safety features, ABS will be standard fitment, while airbags are optional across all variants.

The company has announced that bookings for the Mahindra KUV100 will be accepted at all dealerships across India from tomorrow (December 19), and the car will go on sale from January 15, 2016. It will be manufactured at the company's plant in Chakan (Pune) where its bigger monocoque brother, the XUV500, is manufactured.