Mahindra XUV Aero green lit for production - Report

30/06/2017 - 12:01 Mahindra XUV500, Mahindra Sagar Parikh

Will become the country's most affordable coupe SUV.

The Mahindra XUV Aero coupe SUV garnered a lot of interest from the media and the public when it was unveiled at Auto Expo 2016. Last month it was showcased at the Automobile Barcelona 2017, presumably to gauge the interest of the global market. Citing sources close to Mahindra, a new report from ZigWheels says that the Mahindra XUV Aero has received the approval for production.

Mahindra XUV Aero front quarter at Auto Expo 2016 — Mahindra will soon start testing prototypes of the Mahindra XUV Aero that will give us an exact idea of the roofline and rear.

According to the report, Mahindra will soon start testing prototypes of the Mahindra XUV Aero. Specifications of the production model are unknown, but while reports hint availability of a pure electric variant, it is only logical to assume that the range will include petrol and diesel engine options to achieve volume sales.

At the Auto Expo, Mahindra said the XUV Aero, designed by Mahindra and built by Pininfarina, gets multiple drive and suspension modes - Race, Off-road, Street and Sport. Powered by the mHawk 210 hp engine with the 'Next Gen turbo boost' delivering high torque and power output, the engine comes with a new combustion system with low pressure EGR adaptability "for improved NVH and better fuel efficiency."

Dr Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra and Chairman, Mahindra Electric, has said that a pure electric powertrain is one of the options currently under evaluation for the Mahindra XUV Aero. Among other factors, the cost of the high-volt powertrain technology would also influence the decision. Under the EV 2.0 comprehensive technology and product roadmap, Mahindra Electric is reportedly working with SsangYong on 380-volt system that offers a driving range of over 250 km. Reports say that multiple battery-powered systems are in the works, with outputs ranging from 41 hp to 204 hp. EVs using these powertrains would have a range of 250-350 km and a 0-60 mph acceleration time of as low as 5 seconds.

Mahindra XUV Aero rear three quarter at the Auto Expo 2016 — The Mahindra XUV Aero's engine options may include a 210 hp version of the 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine and a new 2.0-litre petrol engine.

Also Read: 2018 Mahindra XUV500 to get 350-360 Nm torque

The Mahindra XUV Aero's production will take place alongside the Mahindra XUV500 at the Chakan plant in Maharashtra. Mahindra could showcase the future SUV with yet another, further evolved concept, at Auto Expo 2018. Production of the India-made coupe SUV could commence only by 2018 or early 2019.

For this fiscal year, the Mahindra U321 MPV is lined up for launch. The SsangYong Tivoli's X100 platform-based Mahindra S201 SUV is next in the second half of FY2019, following which the XUV Aero could see the light of day.

[Source: ZigWheels]