Mahindra is putting a stop to new alphanumeric names beginning with the G4 SsangYong Rexton. The company will sell this SUV as the ‘Alturas’, a name that doesn’t end with an ‘O’ sound, finally.
According to a report from Autocar India, the name Alturas signifies the new heights Mahindra is trying to reach by reentering the mid-size SUV segment, which is dominated by foreign brands. The Mahindra-badged version will set itself apart from the Korean donor with a distinctive radiator grille consisting of vertical slats in chrome finish and high-gloss black finish, high-gloss black radiator grille frame and chrome bonnet applique.
The Mahindra Alturas will have a ground clearance of 244 mm and a turning radius of 5.5 metres. It will come in two grades: G2 and G4. Both grades will employ a 2.2-litre diesel engine that develops 180.5 hp and 450 Nm of torque. In the SsangYong-badged version, this engine comes in a tuning of 131.1 kW (178.42 hp) and 400 Nm (with 6-speed MT)/420 Nm (with 7-speed AT).
Both grades will feature the Mercedes-Benz-made 7-speed automatic transmission as standard. Only the G4 grade will have a part-time 4WD system. This grade will come equipped with a large touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation and smartphone integration, ventilated seats with memory function, leather upholstery and an electronic parking brake among other goodies.
The Mahindra Alturas will cost much lower than the Toyota Fortuner, the prices of which start at INR 26.20 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Rivalling frame SUVs will include the Ford Endeavour and Isuzu MU-X.
Also See: Base variant of the Mahindra S201 with steel wheels spotted in Mumbai
Mahindra had confirmed last month that it will launch the Alturas on 19 November, and had earlier said that it would be the most expensive Mahindra SUV to date. However, now it has postponed the event to 26 November. The company will display the new flagship SUV in a dedicated space at its modernised dealerships that are called ‘World of SUVs’.
Readers would recall that Maruti Suzuki christered the previous generation Baleno station wagon variant as the 'Altura'.
[Source: autocarindia.com]
