IAB Report - Mahindra Quanto AMT launch confirmed for this financial year

27/09/2014 - 10:46 Mahindra Quanto, Mahindra Anjan Ravi

Could also come with a regenerative braking system.

Mahindra will launch the Quanto with an automated manual transmission (AMT) by end of the financial year. The Indian carmaker expressed its intention of launching an AMT on the Quanto at the Auto Expo this year, and had also showcased the car. Mahindra referred to the technology as 'autoSHIFT'.

Mahindra Quanto autoSHIFT AMT side at Auto Expo 2014 — The AMT system is being developed with UK-based Ricardo.

Pravin Shah, Chief Executive – Automotive Division & International Operations, speaking to IAB at the Scorpio's launch, said -

The Quanto AMT is in the store, and surely by the end of the financial year, the product should be there (on the marketplace).

According to details released at the Auto Expo, the 5-speed AMT is jointly developed with UK-based Ricardo, and could provide superior fuel efficiency than the manual transmission variant. Mahindra said that the system uses an "advanced" ECU and a hydraulic actuation system for quicker gear changes.

The Auto Expo concept was also fitted with regenerative braking technology wherein kinetic energy is recovered through an alternator and stored in a battery, potentially saving 40 liters of fuel per year.

Mahindra Quanto autoSHIFT AMT dashboard full view at Auto Expo 2014 — The Quanto AMT shown at the Expo had a different steering wheel as well.

Also see: New Mahindra Scorpio vs Renault Duster vs Safari Storme spec sheet comparison

The AMT-equipped Quanto should see some renewed interest for the car, which has fared quite poorly in terms of sales. Mahindra sold an average of 364 cars/month (calculated for January - August 2014 period).

Expected Price: INR 7.8-8.2 lakhs, ex-Showroom

Launch date: By end of this financial year