A new Mahindra LCV codenamed P601 is in the works at the company's R&D facility near Chennai. The new gen LCV is expected either to succeed the Mahindra Maxximo Mini Truck or to be positioned above the Maxximo to rival the Tata Super Ace and the Ashok Leyland Dost.
The vehicle was caught testing near Chennai by IAB reader Mr. Saravanan Jayapalan. In a typical Mahindra fashion, the test mule has not been given complete production spec body, suggesting the launch is quite a while away. However, from the spyshots it's clear that the cabin has grown in size compared to the Maxximo and there is a front quarter glass panel to mask the increase in dimensions. The headlamps are mounted higher than in the Maxximo.
Earlier spyshots reveal that the test mule borrows its steering wheel from the Maxximo while the interior design is new with a dashboard mounted gear lever. The basic interiors make do without an air-conditioner, a feature that is available in the Super Ace and the Dost as an option.
The Maxximo has a GVW of 1,815 kg with a payload of 850 kg. Given that the test mule clearly looks bigger than the Maxximo, it's expected to have a payload of at least 1 tonne. The powertrain details are not clear as of now.
According to one media report, the Mahindra P601 LCV would be manufactured at the company's upcoming facility in Cheyyar, Tamil Nadu, which will also roll out the S101 compact SUV. The plant is expected to go on stream sometime in 2015-16.
