Report - Mahindra will have a "competitive petrol engine" in its compact SUVs next year

13/09/2014 - 14:20 Mahindra S101, Mahindra U301, Mahindra Anjan Ravi

Two launches planned next year in the compact UV space.

Mahindra will launch two compact utility vehicles (compact SUVs) next year, which will also see the debut of the company's new petrol engine. The engine in question, going by past reports, would be a three-cylinder motor displacing about 1.2-liters, developed jointly with Ssangyong.

Mahindra S101 spied in Chennai front — Mahindra will launch two new vehicle platforms next year in the compact segment. Seen here is the S101, the first.

According to Dr.Pawan Goenka, the company's president of automotive and farm equipment sector, Mahindra's sales were impacted by two things; narrowing of gap between petrol and diesel and preference of consumers towards compact UVs.

The official stated that Mahindra does not have a strong portfolio of products in the compact UV segment, as the company sells only the Quanto, which accounts for a mere 277 units per month (average calculated for this financial year). He further stated that the new compact UVs would be powered by a "competitive petrol engine".

New Mahindra U301 Bolero spied front — The U301 is the second new platform for Mahindra.

Also read: New Mahindra Scorpio launching on September 25 with new chassis

Mahindra is known to be testing out the S101 and the U301 compact vehicles. Where the S101 has a hatchback-like size exuding the feel of an SUV, the U301 looks like a successor for the aging Bolero.

Mahindra S101 Competitors: VW Taigun, Ford EcoSport, Tata Nexon

Mahindra S101 Expected Price: INR 5-7 lakhs, ex-Showroom

Mahindra S101 Launch Date: 2015

Mahindra U301 Competitors: Tata Sumo, Chevrolet Tavera

Mahindra U301 Expected Price: INR 6-8 lakhs, ex-Showroom

Mahindra U301 Launch Date: Late 2015 (Tentative)