A report published by Autocar India claims that the Mahindra XUV500 petrol will feature a 2.2 L engine based on the same mHawk diesel block that powers the current car. The report is consistent with the news of the Scorpio and XUV500 getting a 2.2 L petrol engine from February last year.
Specifications of the 2.2 L petrol unit are unknown at this moment. What is known, however, is that there will be manual and automatic transmission options on offer. The report adds that the Mahindra XUV500 petrol will be available in a new G-spec variant only.
Mahindra is investing about INR 1,000 Crores into the development of the petrol engines. There are three petrol engines in the pipeline - 1.5 L, 1.6 L, and 2.2 L. Currently, Mahindra has one petrol engine in its portfolio, the 1.2 L mFalcon G80 that powers the KUV100. In the past, the company has said that all Mahindra products will come with a petrol engine option 2018 onwards. In a note to investors, the company said in February this year that it would roll out the petrol variant of the XUV500 before the Scorpio, this fiscal.
The Mahindra XUV500 petrol has been spotted testing on public roads in the past. In fact, the LHD test mule snapped in Dubai in June is said to be petrol powered as well as diesel SUVs are hardly used in the UAE. Based on the market response to the Mahindra XUV500 petrol, the company will take a call on whether to launch the petrol variants of the Scorpio.
[source - Autocar India]
