: The Mahindra U301 is inching closer to the launch and the latest interior spyshot reveals the dashboard mild camouflage.
: The Mahindra U301 is inching closer to the launch and the latest interior spyshot reveals the dashboard mild camouflage. The car gets silver accented steering wheel, hexagonal centre console and a brand new design.
Original article
The interior of the upcoming Mahindra U301SUV (codename) has been snapped up close, revealing the basic layout and design. The prototype is still some distance away from being completely prepared for production since it lacks door trims and certain dashboard panels but it should be ready in a few months’ time.
The interior design is completely new and much more upmarket than the current Bolero.
To be positioned as a mini Bolero, the sub-4 metre SUV targets audience who are looking for a upmarket design and features whereas the existing Bolero attracts rural customers for its flexibility and low maintenance. The vehicle has been testing extensively for the past several months and is slated to be one of the two SUV launches by Mahindra this year, the other one being the EcoSport-rivaling S101which is also not far away from start of production.
The recent spyshot reveals a new steering wheel, a dual-tone black-beige dashboard with silver accents for centre console and AC vents and chrome highlights for the instrument dials. The prototype sports a audio system with a square display on the centre console. The gear knob and handbrake lever are lifted off the new Scorpio’s parts bin.
The gear knob is borrowed from the Scorpio.
The exterior styling will feature a modern front fascia but the Bolero’s boxy appearance has been inherited. This should result in decent headroom and a useable boot space.
The U301 is reported to be based on the Scorpio’s hydroformed ladder frame chassis which should make for good rigidity and off-roadability. The sub-4 metre SUV would be powered by an improved version of the Quanto’s 1.5-litre three-cylinder twin-stage turbo diesel engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox or an AMT as revealed by older spyshots. In its current state of tune, the motor which is essentially the 2.2-mHawk unit minus a cylinder produces a good 100 bhp and 240 Nm of torque.
It will be interesting to see how Mahindra positions the U301 and Quanto in the same segment.
Mahindra’s passenger vehicle sales have slowed down in the recent months and with the new SUV duo, the automaker would be attempting to gather momentum.
Spy Image: MotorOctane, Motorbeam
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