Mahindra U301 interior with AMT - Spied

Auto climate control unlikely even on top-spec variant.

Autocar India has published the first image of the interior of the Mahindra U301 SUV, touted to be the spiritual successor to the Bolero.

Based on the shorter platform of the new Scorpio, the U301, likely a sub-4m SUV, will get a combination of faux aluminium and chrome inserts. The instrument cluster has two large, circular, chrome-ringed dials like the XUV500, a new three-spoke steering wheel, with the high-end variants expected to receive steering-mounted audio controls.

Two rectangular air vents are seated on the top of the dashboard having a faux brushed-aluminum finish. A prominent screen is embedded below the vents, similar to the XUV500. Also visible are USB and aux-in ports, and as is a 12V power outlet.

Sources tell Autocar India that the variant spotted is the 1.5-liter diesel ZLX, and the rotary air-con knobs connote that even the top-end variants won't get auto climate control.

Perhaps the biggest feature on this mule is the Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) gearbox. Mahindra has showcased the Quanto with the tech, but is yet to bring it to the market. Sources also tell Autocar India that the U301 will come only in the 2WD guise.

Competitors: Tata Movus, Chevrolet Tavera, Tata Sumo
Expected Price: INR 6-8 lakhs, ex-Showroom
Launch Date: Late-2015 (Tentative)

[Source - AutocarIndia.com]