Mahindra & Mahindra is one of the few manufacturers in India who stick to their roots and that is SUVs. Starting from the first jeep to the recently launched Mahindra Xylo, they have all but tasted failure. All their creations have been runaway success. They have even vehicles commissioned to built by the Indian army forces. Their joint alliance with Renault motors gave birth to the low cost Mahindra Renault Logan car and this one was also lapped up by the car buying public as well as the taxi fleet{read Meru}. In keeping with their SUV character, the Nashik based company is releasing a new SUV code named as Mahindra W201. This was one prototype which was been doing the rounds as mules across India. From the prototype pictures doing the rounds on the Internet, it seems to be a pretty much muscular SUV.
As always, Mahindra & Mahindra SUVs are more of muscle than comfort. The Mahindra W201 is said to be the first completely in house built SUV and would be positioned above the Mahindra Scorpio. The Mahindra W201 will use a tweaked version of the 2.2 liter common rail M-Hawk engine from the Mahindra Scorpio. Its newer power figure would read as 140 Bhp. There is also a pimped up 170 Bhp version in the reckoning. To handle all those power, there would be a 6 speed tranmission. It will have the same length as the Mahindra Scorpio but then it would be wider and hence more space would be available than that in the Mahindra Scorpio. It would feature a rakish front flanked by LED projector head lamps. It is said that both front as well as 4 wheel drive drive trains would be offered from the start along with Mahindra & Mahindra’s innovative stop-start system. There would be a lot of power goodies from the Mahindra Scorpio’s bins as well as some new ones like ESP, traction control, hill ascent and descent functions. There would be lots of optional features as well.
The asking price for the Mahindra W201 SUV would be around Rs.14 lakhs and it would be launched by mid 2011. Mahindra & Mahindra are also planning to launch a sub 4 meter SUV based on the Mahindra Xylo. Its code name is Mahindra U203. It will get an entirely new M-Eagle engine which would be 1.5 liters producing 140 Bhp. It would have a different looks as opposed to the Mahindra Xylo. The nose of the Mahindra U203 would be toned down to give it more of a SUV stance rather than the MUV looks of the Mahindra Xylo. The brushed aluminium covers at the rear house the spare wheel. The rear would also be completely redesigned for New Mahindra SUVs. This would compete with the Premier Rio, the other sub 4 meter compact SUV. This car is almost ready however Mahindra & Mahindra are waiting for the budget decision next year from the Indian government. So just after the budget announcement, the Mahindra U203 would be launched. It is estimated that the asking price would be Rs.5 lakhs.
Mahindra & Mahindra would also launch a premium SUV to go against the likes of Chevrolet Captiva, Ford Endeavour, Honda CR-V and the new Skoda Yeti. This is however not a groundsup model and one which is plucked out from the recently acquired Ssangyong Motor Company. It would be the Ssangyong Korando. The Ssangyong Korando will feature a 170 Bhp turbo-diesel. It wouldn’t be badged a Ssangyong Korando though and would be more like a Mahindra Korando. It will feature many segment firsts like reclining rear seats, parking camera, full leather seats, stop-start system and both 6 speed automatic as well as manual transmissions. Prices are expected to be around Rs. 18-20 lakhs since it would initially be a CBU unit and then later on based on demand, manufactured at Mahindra & Mahindra’s Nashik facility. Mahindra & Mahindra may also set up a new factory near Chakan in Pune in lieu of the growing models in its line up. There is also a small or mid-size car which is slated to come and would be slotted below the Mahindra Renault Logan.
Mahindra W201 Specification
Displacement: 2179cc, M-Hawk CRDI and BSIV compliant
Engine Type: Diesel
Maximum Power: 140/170 Bhp
Maximum Torque: 325/380 Nm
Steering: Hydraulic power assisted with Tilt & Telescope
Brakes: Front Ventilate & Rear Solid Discs with ABS, traction control, EBD and ESP
Gears: 6 speed Manual
Seating Capacity: 7
Safety features: 6 air bags, 3 point ELR seat belts, collapsible steering column and reinforced steel zones
w201 is just Wow 2011….