Spied - Mahindra S101 caught on test
The Mahindra S101 (codename) was caught on test recently on Bannerghatta road, Bangalore by a reader of Autoz. The S101 is Mahindra's compact SUV due for a 2015 launch, and will be the smallest car ever made by the Indian UV major.
Measuring under 4 meters in length, the S101 is a Ford EcoSport challenger in size and application (cars like the EcoSport are considered as soft-roaders in India as they're not offered with 4WD). Unlike Mahindra's previous and half-hearted attempt of chopping off the Xylo MPV to arrive at the Quanto to enter the sub-4m SUV segment, the S101 is a brand new car from the ground up as its based on an all-new monocoque platform.
The compact S101 would be offered with a 1.2-liter petrol engine and a 1.5-liter diesel engine. The former is newly-developed and a joint effort between Mahindra and Ssangyong, also to benefit the Ssangyong X100 compact SUV.
Inside, spyshots have revealed that the S101 will get a dashboard-mounted gearlever, thus freeing up space in the front for an extra shopping bag. Seating for six in a 3+3 layout can also be not ruled out.
Cars like the S101 and U301 (next gen Bolero) are Mahindra's big ticket launches planned for the next three years.
[Images from - Autoz]