IAB Reader spies the Mahindra U321 MPV (Toyota Innova rival) up close

To launch in India in the middle of FY 2017-2018, reportedly.

The Mahindra U321 MPV has been spied up close by "IAB fan & obsessionist" Sowmya Chennai, close to where Mahindra’s vehicle development centre – Mahindra Research Valley – is located. The Innova rival is still under development and is reported to launch in India in the middle of FY 2017-2018.

The spyshots give a pretty a good idea as to what we can expect with respect to exterior design. Instead of following the trend of beefing the exterior to stand out as a crossover, which seems to be the fad these days, the Mahindra U321 appears to be a conventional MPV. It has the characteristic Mahindra toothed grille, bulbous headlamps with projector lens, and what seems to be a split radiator grille. The rear-end slightly slopes to the front and features wraparound taillamps, and large windscreen with rear wiper.

While the Innova is based on a ladder-frame platform, the Mahindra U321 is reported to be based on a monocoque platform. This is expected to make it lighter and more composed than the Innova. It is reported to be riding on an all-new platform developed by the Mahindra North American Technical Center (MNATC) in Troy, Michigan.

Also Read: Mahindra & Ford mulling over a technical partnership – Report

Reports suggest that one of the multiple engine options for U321 is an all-new 1.5L diesel engine co-developed with Ssangyong, while others proclaim that the 1.9L and 2.2L mHawk motors from the Scorpio have found a place in the U321. A petrol option is also likely, given that Mahindra has plans of exporting the U321.