[Updated] Report - Mahindra XUV500 AT variant with Ssangyong-developed gearbox launching in mid-2015

Update: Mahindra and Ssangyong have signed up with Japanese company Aisin Seiki who will supply these automatic transmissions.

Mahindra will launch an automatic transmission variant of the popular XUV500 in the middle of next year, reports Autocar India.

The Mahindra XUV500 automatic will feature a 6-speed transmission developed by group company Ssangyong. Ssangyong's current automatic transmissions are retired Mercedes-Benz gearboxes.

Ssangyong developed this transmission unit for the upcoming Ford EcoSport rival, a concept version of which debuts at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The new hardware will be used first on this Ssangyong product when it enters production early next year.

Y I Lee, President and CEO of Ssangyong Motor Company, is quoted telling the publication that Mahindra is considering this gearbox for the XUV500. Mr. Lee says that it would be "great" for volumes if Mahindra were to use this gearbox, and that it would be cost effective as well.

Of all models, Mahindra offers an automatic transmission only on the Scorpio. However, before the XUV500 AT is launched, Mahindra could introduce an automatic transmission on the Quanto.

At the recently concluded Auto Expo 2014, the carmaker showcased the Quanto with an automated manual transmission. The Quanto AMT gets a 5-speed gearbox developed by Ricardo and is claimed to be more efficient than the manual. The Mahindra Quanto AMT also featured a regenerative braking system and a new body colour.

[Source - Autocar India]