Mahindra TUV300 announced, launch in mid-September - IAB Report

New sub-4m SUV will launch in mid-September.

Mahindra & Mahindra today confirmed that its upcoming compact SUV, referred to thus far as the Mahindra U301, has been christened the Mahindra TUV300 (Mahindra TUV 3 double-O' or Mahindra TUV3OO). The sub-4m SUV's nomenclature stands for 'Tough Utility Vehicle'.

The company said that it will launch the TUV300 in six weeks from today, which puts its D-Day in mid September. Mahindra sought help from Italian design house Pininfarina for the design of the TUV300, which is based on a new platform. Contrary to earlier reports, the TUV300 is not a replacement to the Bolero or any Mahindra product.

Powering the model is a new-generation diesel engine Mahindra calls the 'mHawk80'. The turbocharged mHawk80 has superior NVH levels and performance than the current 1.5-liter engine used on the Quanto.

While the TUV's platform is ready for a 4WD system, Mahindra will not offer it at the launch. It is a 'global product' and will have a LHD version, Mahindra confirmed. The vehicle was developed at the Mahindra Research Valley in Chennai and will be manufactured at the Chakan plant, which presently makes the XUV500.

At the unveiling, Mahindra said the TUV300's design is inspired by a battle tank.