Toyota Kirloskar Motor just gave the Innova a comprehensive revamp and immediately it caught the market’s fancy. The most successful challenger to the Innova – the Xylo was in dire need of change and so it gets one. But what has changed?

Although the entire model lineup has been changed, but the most number of changes are done to a new top variant – E9.

So let’s run you through the list of changes:

The new Xylo E9 gets a completely re-worked front fascia. The changes are subtle yet distinctive. The most important change is the flat grill that the earlier roundish one. The Mahindra logo is now placed at the lip of the bonnet rather than on the grill as was in the case of earlier models.

The headlamps and the fog lamps have been redesigned to give the Xylo its new distinctive look. The air dams are now slightly wider and the protectors on the front bumper may reduce the aesthetic value but certainly provide freedom from scratches.

On the side, the Xylo keeps its old character lines but gets new rubrails and sandy finish body decals. The alloy wheel design has not been changed but the roof rails are now body hugging then the earlier taller ones.

The B and the C pillar have been completely blacked out.

Not much has changed at the rear. The distinctive changes include a new rear spoiler with integrated brake lights and crystal-clear treatment on the new tail lamps. This wraps up the exterior changes or the new Xylo.

Step into the car and you notice that the interiors are much pleasing than the older one. That’s because the dashboard now features a slightly darker version of brown. The color gels very well with the wood finish and beige interiors.

The steering wheel gets cruise control and voice activated control buttons. The Voice Command Technology (VCT) allows you to order instructions to the car. Unlike the voice command system in the new Ford Fiesta, the technology in Xylo allows to control mechanical actions such locking the door, starting/stopping the wipers, opening the fuel lid etc. Also, unlike the Fiesta, the VCT was developed for Indian accents so it’s more obedient. If you are an XUV500 owner and really feel cheated because you don’t get this technology, wait for 6 months and you’ll find it there.

The superbly comfortable seats now get genuine Italian leather which feels plush. The snack trays, rear laptop charging points and individual AC vents and reading lamps for each passenger are some of the other features which catch your eye.

The Xylo E9, being targeted towards affluent families, is loaded with safety features such as: Dual SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, reverse park assist etc.

On the business end, the Xylo E9 gets Scorpio’s engine with 120bhp mated to an all new 5-speed MT 320 transmission. The company claims a fuel efficiency figure of 14.02 kmpl. Mahindra has also fiddled with the rear suspension set up to provide extra stability. On a short drive, we noticed reduced body roll, really good grunt from the engine but at the same time there was a lot of sound creeping into the cabin and the gearbox is certainly not up to the mark.

Just like the Scorpio, the Xylo is finally beginning to evolve as a product. Early Scorpio owners will agree with me when I say that there is a vast difference between the Scorpio then and the Scorpio now. Same is with this new Xylo. Mahindra has done some really interesting changes in this evolutionary phase of the Xylo. Although it is far from its rival Toyota Innova in terms of refinement, it is definitely a step in the right direction.

• D2 and D4 for commercial segment
• E4 and E8 for family
• E9 positioned as the luxury variant

Mahindra Xylo facelift variant and price (in lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi)

• E9 – 10.25
• E8 (ABS and Airbags) – 9.47
• E8 ABS – 9.10
• E4 ABS – 8.34
• E4 – 8.11
• D4 – 7.77
• D2 – 7.37

Following are the changes and additions on select variants of the Mahindra Xylo facelift

• Headlight, wiper, fuel lid, door locks and personal phone calls operate on voice commands
• Interiors are exactly the same except for the dual tone on the dashboard
• Plenty of changes on the exterior styling which includes a new grille, bumper, chrome accents, body decals, curved bonnet, etc.

Mahindra has mentioned about the “Extra Stability Technology” that looks like an improvised anti-roll bar to cut down body roll. It comes standard on all the variants. Convenience features like Digital Driver Assist System, electrically operated outside mirrors, dual airbags, ABS and EBD are present on the top-end variant.

The Xylo was launched on the 13th of January, 2009. Over 90k units have been sold in these three years to capture a market share of 27%.

Mahindra has introduced the 2.2-liter mHawk engine (from the Scorpio) on the top-end E9 variant that comes with a different transmission.

Mahindra Xylo Facelift Image Gallery

Mahindra sells two versions of the Xylo, one for the personal segment and another for the commercial segment. The facelift has improved the car’s looks as it has cleared the clutter. The front-end looks orderly and some guidance has come from the commercial vehicle twin, Genio.

The launch of the new series is conducted tomorrow in Mumbai and as usual IAB, from ground zero, will bring you the prices and changes.

[Source - Facebook.com/groups/rehanandselvin]

The side profile is highlighted with new rub rails and blacked out pillars. The mildly tweaked tail lamp is the only addition we can notice on the rear. Except for the redesigned steering wheel, we’re not able to spot any differences in the cabin.

Details of the powertrain and whether Mahindra will plonk the 2.2L mHawk mill under the Xylo’s bonnet will be understood in under 48 hours. Stay tuned to IAB!

[Source - Team-BHP.com]

There are a few compact MPV options in India, cars like the Tata Venture, Maruti Eeco and Maruti Omni sell in sizable volumes. For families the problem is they tag along a commercial vehicle stigma. However hard they try with their parking sensors or family-filled TV commercials, they look and feel utilitarian.

The mini Xylo need not explain or hard-sell as it has no connections to the commercial vehicle market (the Genios are very distant relatives). Mahindra has waged price wars with every launch in the recent past. A starting price of under 5 lakh rupees, maybe 4.5 lakhs that puts it bang in the middle of the Swift’s territory is not unfathomable.

Mahindra has a new engine under the bonnet. A 3cyl diesel engine displacing under 1.5 liters supposedly produces 70bhp and 160Nm on the test mules. This will be tuned to return not less than 20 kmpl, a lower limit for premium hatchbacks in 2012.

Some test mules have been spotted with an additional row of seats. Its a bit of a squeeze, but for accommodating children there won’t be any problems. Mahindra may not offer the third row on all the variants.

Designers have dropped the idea of reskinning as its an expensive affair. Mounting the spare wheel on thoroughly redesigned rear and adding an aircraft-styled quarter glass at the C-Pillar give it a new personality. This also provides them the chance of marketing it as a mini SUV.

By Diwali this year, the mini Xylo will be out on the market and we can hardly wait to see its effect on the market and the competition.

The front-end has gone through a sea of change and feels like some of the XUV500′s design language has rubbed off on the Xylo’s design team.

The transformation starts at the hood – redesigned using creases relocating to the sides. The bulge along the bonnet’s center has been flattened out. Subtle lines flow towards the center from either corners of the windshield.

The Xylo’s shiny grille takes a more traditional approach sitting on the same level as the headlamps. It replaces the body-colored grille design that forms the shape of an arch. A slim louvre separates the grille and bumper.

They’ve put on what we’ll call protectors under the bumper. The headlamps are not a complete redo. Tiny indicators are placed on the bottom right corner. Mahindra will use the facelift’s launch to add a new variant “E9″ to the lineup.

This cosmetic operation has flushed out the funny taste you may get at the back of your mouth when you see a Xylo head-on. There is no doubt that the Xylo facelift outshines the current model on design appeal.

What are your thoughts?

[Source - Team-BHP.com]

See interior shots of the Mahindra mini Xylo

We’re informed by sources that Mahindra engineers are told to work on the powertrain to cut out vibration and noise after the management was unsatisfied with the results during periodic evaluations.

The engine is likely to be a three-cylinder diesel unit putting out 70bhp of power and 160Nm of torque. These are speculative numbers and may vary on the production vehicle. Certain variants could have two tiny jump seats forming the third row of seats.

As you can see from these spyshots, Mahindra designed a new quarter glass along the C-Pillar. The rear is completely redesigned and houses the spare wheel to pump up aesthetic appeal. Cosmetic changes have been carried out on the front fascia. Interiors are largely the same, certain soft components like cup holders around the gear lever have been included perhaps as a result of market study.

The compact Xylo could be Mahindra’s vehicle to enter the B+ segment hatchback race. Volkswagen, Maruti and Hyundai better watch out.

It has three versions of the Genio (two for domestic market with cost-down body, and an export variant), two engine options and a handful of variants on the passenger model, and a mini Xylo in the pipeline.

See more spyshots of the Mahindra Xylo 4WD version

If you thought all possibilities were exhausted, check this out – A 4WD Xylo powered by the mHawk engine (2.2-liter familiar to Scorpio fans) spied in Pune. Is Mahindra testing the vehicle for a 2012 launch? Or is this like the deluxe edition of the Xylo pickup exclusive to foreign markets? We don’t know yet but we’ll pose these questions to Mahindra at the Auto Expo next week.