Next-Gen Mahindra XUV500 To Be Called XUV700; Launch in Q2 FY2022
Mahindra has been working on a replacement of the current-gen XUV500 for quite some time now. Internally codenamed as the W601, we have seen several spy images of the upcoming SUV over time. Mahindra have now revealed that the next-gen XUV500 will be known as the XUV700 in India. With this new XUV700 name, Mahindra now has the possibility of keeping the current-gen XUV500 on sale or perhaps use the XUV500 moniker for a 5-seater version of the XUV500. Slated to be launched around October this year, it will be manufactured at its Chakan facility in Pune, Maharashtra.
Mahindra XUV700 - New Details
Along with the new name, Mahindra has also revealed a few interesting details about the upcoming XUV700. It will be based on the stiffer W601 monocoque platform and will be considerably larger - both in terms of length and width - than the current-gen XUV500. Mahindra have also confirmed that it will be offered with both petrol and diesel engines along with manual and automatic gearbox options. Hardcore SUV lovers will be very pleased with the fact that the XUV700 will even come with an all-wheel drive system.
Although Mahindra has not revealed much details about the engine options, we suspect it will be powered by the brand new 2.0L turbo-petrol engine and the 2.2L mHawk diesel engine that the company recently debuted with the all-new Thar. It could however come in a higher state of tune than what is available with the Thar.
Also Read : Next-Gen Mahindra XUV500 Rendered Based On Spy Shots!
Mahindra XUV700 - What We Know So Far
We have seen numerous spy images of the XUV500-replacement on test in India before. Based on the spy images, we can confirm that the XUV700 will come with Mahindra's drop down LED DRL lighting theme as we have seen with the Mahindra XUV300. The one on the XUV700 will, however, be C-shaped and it looks quite quirky. The radiator grille has also grown larger than before and features Mahindra's typical seven-slatted design. Although the face has a resemblance to the current XUV500, it looks significantly more stylish.
In profile, the XUV700 will continue with the cheetah-inspired kink in the shoulder line post the C-Pillar, just like the XUV500. The upcoming SUV will also feature flush-fitting door handles, a first in the segment. There will be generous body cladding all around the SUV. It will come with a completely redesigned rear with new tail lamps and bumpers.
One of the biggest talking points about the upcoming XUV700 has to be its interior and its Mercedes-like twin screens for the instrument console and infotainment system. The system is housed within a single slab of glass with a binnacle-of sort on the top and it sits neatly on the dashboard. The quality of the interior of the XUV700 is also expected to be a huge step up from the current-gen XUV500. The upcoming SUV is also set to bring in segment-first Level 1 autonomous driving technology, which brings in features like autonomous emergency braking, parallel park assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and more.
Hinting at the features and technology on offer, R Velusamy, chief of global product development, M&M Ltd, said,
“The XUV portfolio has always stood for creating disruptions and setting new benchmarks with models such as the XUV500 and the XUV300. The XUV700 is built on an all-new global SUV platform, W601, with expert partners across the world and will boast of first-in-segment technologies and features.”
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