Mahindra has announced that the market name of Mahindra U301 compact SUV will be revealed at a press conference on 30th July, 2015.
Mahindra has announced that the market name of Mahindra U301 compact SUV will be revealed at a press conference on 30th July, 2015. Alongside, more details on the project would be disclosed. Touted to be a sub-Bolero offering for rural markets, the U301 is one of the two mini SUVs lined up by the Indian automaker for 2015, the other one being the S101.
Mahindra U301 will be positioned as a smaller and modern alternative to the Bolero.
While the S101 is a sub-4 metre monocoque product which will target the urban audience, the U301 is underpinned by a hydro-formed ladder frame chassis that also caters to the new Scorpio. The U301 is also a sub-4 metre offering which will primarily target rural markets as a smaller alternative to the Bolero.
The dashboard seems not far away from production. Noteworthy features include a new multifunction steering wheel, a touchscreen multimedia infotainment system, new instrument console with chrome highlights, chrome accented centre AC vents and a possible faux-wood finish for the centre console.
The top-end variant of the U301 would receive a touchscreen infotainment system and AMT. [Spy Shot: MotorOctane]
The compact SUV is likely to borrow the 1.5-litre miCR three-cylinder twin-stage turbo diesel engine from the Quanto. In its current state of tune, the motor produces 100 bhp and 240 Nm of torque, and comes mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Closer observation of the gear lever surrounds reveals that the prototype is testing an AMT gearboxwhich will also make its way to the Quanto.The fully loaded variant is also expected to offer ABS and Micro Hybrid (Start/Stop System). The new chassis would make the U301 SUV stiffer and lighter than the Bolero.
The 1.5-litre diesel engine and AMT will come from the Quanto [Note: Quanto AMT is also undergoing tests]
Outside, the new Mahindra SUV sports a boxy design like its big brother which would make for generous head room. The car has been on extensive testing for quite sometime now and given that the prototypes now feature production ready panels, the launch should take place in the second half of 2015.As we suspected, Mahindra is going for a new nameplate. Of course, it will end with the letter ‘O’. It would be interesting to watch how the Indian automaker manages to keep the Quanto afloat alongside a superior offering roughly in the same price segment segment. Expect the pricing to be in the range of INR 6-8 lakhs.
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