Post the buzz around the Hyundai Creta and the Maruti S-Cross, the Mahindra TUV300 (Mahindra TUV3OO) is set to be the next sensation in the compact SUV segment. Here are the top 5 things we know about Mahindra's latest entrant in this segment:
1. Battle-tank inspired design:
For design inspiration, Mahindra's designers looked towards the battle tank, and have given the TUV300 a rugged, yet old-school SUV design. Mahindra's executive director and president of automotive and farm equipments sector, Dr. Pawan Goenka, told reporters that the TUV300 will be a "true blue" SUV and not a crossover.
2. All-new mHawk80 diesel engine:
Mahindra has confirmed the TUV300 to get a new diesel engine called 'mHawk80', with "superior" levels of refinement and NVH. This engine is likely to be a 1.5-liter three-cylinder unit, and would be paired to manual and automated manual transmissions.
3. 4WD will not be offered initially:
The TUV300's platform (likely a hydroformed ladder-frame platform) will support a 4WD system, however, this technology will not be offered on the vehicle at the time of its launch, Mahindra confirmed. Mahindra could introduce a 4WD variant of the TUV300 later on in its lifecycle if customers are willing to shell out extra for it.
4. TUV300 be a global product:
Mahindra confirmed that it will manufacture the TUV300 at its Chakan plant in both right- and left-hand drive configurations. Mahindra recently entered the private car market in Philippines (a left-hand drive market) which could be one of the several export countries earmarked for the TUV300.
5. Market launch in 6 weeks:
The market launch of the TUV300 will take place in six weeks from now, (mid-September) the company confirmed. With a high-degree of localization and a sub-4 meter length, the TUV300 is expected to rival the Ford EcoSport on price.
