Extended rear will accommodate third-row front-facing seats while the 2.2L mHawk will take charge under the bonnet.
Mahindra's upcoming TUV300 XL or, as it is referred to by online media, Mahindra TUV500, has been spotted testing once again by a Motoroids reader in Chennai.
The 7-seater uses the same boxy design as the TUV300, which has the battle tank as inspiration. In profile, the TUV500 is identical to the TUV300 until the C-Pillar, and the wheelbase appears to be the same 2680 mm. The images also reveal the headlamp design, front grille and fog lamp enclosure that are identical to the TUV300. Rear angle reveals a slightly more raked windshield as compared to the donor car. The extended portion will enable Mahindra to ditch the TUV300's jump seats for a more comfortable front facing third row.
Moving to the cabin, the dashboard features hexagon-shaped centre bezel, piano-black centre fascia, an infotainment system comprising 2-DIN audio, Bluetooth, USB and AUX, steering-mounted audio and phone controls along with a twin pod instrument cluster.
According to reports that emerged in January 2017, Mahindra will offer the utility vehicle with the 2.2-litre mHawk diesel with 120 hp on tap. This engine powers the Scorpio and XUV500, both of which are due for a facelift this year and will ascend to a higher output tune. It will come mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Mahindra recently discontinued automatic variants of the Scorpio, and the SUV is reportedly receiving the new 6-speed Aisin AT. Whether the TUV300 XL gets the Aisin unit or the AMT remains to be seen.
While Mr Rajan Wadhera, Executive VP, R&D and Global Product Development, M&M (Automotive Sector) has confirmed the launch of facelifted versions of the KUV100, Scorpio, and XUV500 for 2017, Mahindra is quiet on the launch plans of the extended TUV300. It is expected to arrive this fiscal with a possible Auto Expo 2018 (next February) unveil.
Prices of the Mahindra TUV500 could range from INR 9 lakh to INR 11 lakh (ex-showroom), and the vehicle is viewed as a replacement for the Mahindra Xylo, positioned just below the upcoming U321 MPV.
[Source: Motoroids]
