Just seconds ago Mahindra announced the prices of the much awaited Thar jeep. The launch will be organized in a phase manner. Mahindra will introduce the vehicle in 5 cities first (Delhi, Chandigarh, Bangalore, Mangalore and Jaipur) by end-December and pan India by the end of January 2011. The following are the vehicle’s prices -
5.99 lakh rupees (ex-showroom Delhi) for the CRDe engine with 4WD (BS4)
4.47 lakh rupees (ex showroom-Jaipur) for the 2WD version with the DI engine (BS3)
The DI variant will be manufactured at the Kandivali facility while the CRDe model will be manufactured at Nashik. There’s a souped up Thar from Mahindra customs on display.
Mahindra Thar is available in four colors – Fiery Black, Toreador Red, Mist Silver and Rocky Beige.
The Thar is very much a jeep with retro looks and modern technology though we need to spend some time with it to understand what that modern technology is capable of. A CRDI engine is certainly modern technology that comes with undeniable benefits, but how effective, we don’t know yet.
We have received a couple of spyshots as well as a video of the Mahindra World SUV testing on the outskirts of Chennai city. The World SUV (CODE – W201) is expected to have a gamut of technology and futuristic styling. It goes without saying that this product is what Aria is to Tata Motors.
The World SUV is built on a completely new platform. Its frame is monocoque type. The test mule which we spotted earlier had certain in-dash components from the Xylo. As it was a test mule, there isn’t much we can understand on the level of finish or quality that is expected.
The World SUV could have features like cruise control, climate control, reverse parking sensors, flexible seating, electrically-powered seats, high level of refinement and comfort. We could even see Mahindra plonking a brand new V6 petrol engine under this vehicle’s bonnet. We expect them to use the 2.2-liter mHawk diesel engine on the base model for the economy-conscious SUV buyer. There could also be 4×4 option and automatic transmission variants completing the line-up.
Mahindra hopes to take this vehicle across seas and in America, such a vehicle, priced aggressively could result in Mahindra sitting pretty. Mahindra will launch this model in India during the first quarter of FY 2012.
The shake-up could lead to good or bad news. The decision is just weeks away
The Indian wing of French carmaker Renault will restructure the JV it signed four years ago with Mahindra. The first and only offering of this partnership, the Renault Logan, which got off to a flying start has simmered down to a level of 500 units a month raising difficult questions. The Logan has received no cosmetic makeovers in its lifetime here in India. It also has not received new engines, transmissions or any mechanical upgrades.
One possible outcome of the restructuring could be a sub-4 metre Logan with a 1.2-liter petrol engine which makes it a small car. Renault could tinker its body, install new grilles and headlamps and sell it with a smaller diesel engine. But that is easier said than done.
Chief operating office Sudhir Rao, Renault India -
We are exploring all options. A final decision on this will be taken in 30 to 45 days
There have been countless theories on what Renault plans to do in India. One story claims they would end the joint venture, while the other claims they would use the Logan’s platform to produce a hatchback and other variants as part of the venture. Guess the end to all this is near its own end.
Mahindra could launch Xylo variants this fiscal including pickup and panel van
Mahindra will launch about seven new variants of its existing models in the next fiscal year. The company, which now also manufactures two-wheelers and heavy duty trucks, is looking to enhance its product portfolio.
As per its announcement earlier, Mahindra would launch the World SUV in India which will sit above the Scorpio. This vehicle could come with a bigger engine and the presence of two exhaust pipes emerging from the rear bumper hints at two banks of cylinders.
According to Autocar India, Mahindra is also working on a mini SUV (Code: S101) with a 1.5-liter diesel engine and monocoque body construction. The 1.5-liter engine would be a 3-cylinder version of the 2.2-liter mHawk engine that is used on the Scorpio.
M&M President (Automotive) Pawan Goenka -
Next fiscal we will be launching 6-7 new variants of our existing models. The new variants will cover all segment including utility vehicles, commercial vehicles and three wheelers.
The company could launch variants of the Mahindra Xylo which include the panel van introduced recently in SA and the pickup truck version which is currently being tested near the plant. The Scorpio hybrid is also a strong possibility. The Maxximo EV is also in the pipeline for an October release.
Indian Autos Blog will not be updated on Wednesday (28th October) as we will be at the Premier-Zotye Rio launch in Mumbai. Following this launch, in the afternoon, we have been invited to attend a Mahindra product launch also. We don’t know what the product is, we’re told its not the refreshed Renault Logan, Sandero or other Renault products.
Some of us are hoping that it will be the world SUV displayed above. What we really don’t want to see is a taxi variant of Xylo or a Scorpio variant with airbags. Mahindra has not created any hype regarding this unveil, so we don’t know what really to expect.
We will come back from both the launches and post high quality images with first hand information.
This is a rare occurrence. To me these guys were competitors and not potential partners or never have I envisaged a concept of them coming together before. Recession has forced a lot of manufacturers to tie-up with each other and develop cars and technology to shave costs. In India, recession hasn’t caused this occurrence for sure.
They say sometimes reality can be stranger than fiction.
The trio will venture into making lithium-ion batteries, controller and electric motor technologies, essential components of a hybrid powertrain. The partnership will be governed by by I V Rao, R&D chief of Maruti Suzuki and additionally charged with the post of chairman of the committee on National Hybrid Propulsion Programme.
Mahindra’s hybrid vehicle dreams began with the Scorpio hybrid which is production ready. Tata Motors has the electric vehicle technology which looks promising on the Indica Vista EV and the Indica EV.
Maruti Suzuki hasn’t shown interest in developing hybrid or electric cars in the past, but this is a good place to start as hybrid vehicles are undeniably the next phase of evolution in the automobile industry. The three are committed to making the most out of this partnership and the results will be displayed during the Commonwealth games next year.
The French carmaker, Renault in collaboration with Indian UV maker Mahindra is planning to launch the Sandero hatchback in the Indian market by the year 2010. The plan will help both companies to make use of the full capacity at the Nashik plant, as Logan sales are drowning in India.
