Report - Following S101, Mahindra S102 & S103 compact vehicles planned

Economic Times has reported that Mahindra is working on two more light utility vehicles besides the S101, scheduled to launch around next year.

The second product codenamed S102, is the first vehicle from the Mahindra-Ssangyong synergy. It is based on the Ssangyong X100 platform, and while the Ssangyong version would begin sales in the first half of next year worldwide, the Mahindra offspring would reach India end of next year or in early 2016. British publications had earlier received confirmation from Ssangyong executives of a Geneva premiere for this entry-level crossover.

The S102 is also reported as an EcoSport competitor, though we think this would be longer than four meters and have higher seating capacity. The S102 is more likely to attack the Nissan Juke and Peugeot 2008, which are at the premium end of the B-SUV Segment, while the S101 takes on the Taigun, EcoSport, Brio SUV, etc.

ET also reports that the S102 would be manufactured at M&M's Nashik plant which manufactures Scorpio and Xylo.

As it turns out, Mahindra-Ssangyong is also developing a compact 1-litre turbocharged petrol engine with variable valve timing and direct injection similar to the Ford Ecoboost engine. The work load is being shared by engineers from India and Korea and is conceived for the S1xx series.

The S103 is the third vehicle "silently" under discussion. The Ertiga/Mobilio challenger would also be built on the X100 platform, and perhaps could also succeed the Xylo.

[Source - Economictimes.Indiatimes.com]