IAB Exclusive - Special Edition Mahindra XUV500 to launch in 2014

Mahindra will be introducing a special edition variant this year on their flagship model, the XUV500, Indian Autos Blog has come to learn from sources. The special edition XUV will embrace the red color, sporting it in surplus inside and out.

On the outside, the XUV500 special edition will get red body graphics on its sides, while the wheel rims and spokes will also be highlighted in red. The front and rear bumpers will sport a red theme to them, while the boot door would feature a special-edition badge.

Inside, Mahindra will offer a full red livery, extending the color to the dashboard and seats of the SUV. The shade of the color is said to be a 'cherry red'.

The special edition XUV will most likely be made available only in the top-end W8 model. The engine, a 2.2-liter mHawk, four-cylinder motor producing 140 bhp and 330 Nm of torque, will continue unchanged.

Since its launch in September 2011, Mahindra has not cosmetically updated the XUV500, apart from introducing a new Arctic Blue color and an entry-level W4 variant devoid of foglamps. Priced at INR 10.95 lakhs (ex-Showroom, New Delhi), the W4 XUV competes with crossovers a segment below, such as the Renault Duster, Nissan Terrano and Ford EcoSport.

We expect the special edition to come during the course of this year. According to media reports, Mahindra will also launch a refreshed XUV in March 2015.