M&M has two big launches in its business plan for 2018. These are the Maruti Vitara Brezza challenger, the Mahindra S201, and the Maruti Ertiga/Toyota Innova rival, the Mahindra U321. A video of the two vehicles was uploaded to a YouTube channel that goes by the name - Area of Interest.
The clip shows the test mules of the Mahindra S201 and two of the Mahindra U321 with production-ready bodies. The pre-production units of the former are in different grades with one getting steel rims while the other features 5-split spoke alloy wheels. Both vehicles are wholly camouflaged successfully hiding the design details from public eye. Earlier spy shots revealed the LED signature of the tail lamps as well as the dashboard design of the upcoming compact SUV.
Being a sub 4 m offering, there will be 1.2 L petrol and 1.5 L diesel engine options in the U321. The former will also benefit from turbocharging and is likely to produce a class-leading output of around 140 hp. Expect automatic transmission variants on offer.
The Mahindra U321's test units had alloy wheels, but only one of them had a visible set of LED DRLs up front. Previous spy shots have revealed projector headlamps and vertically stacked tail lamp clusters. The interior of the U321 has been spied in the past revealing the dashboard layout. The upcoming MPV will be a true 7-seater.
A new 1.6 L diesel engine will reportedly power the U321. It will have a power and torque output of 125 hp and 305 Nm. A petrol engine is also expected to be offered, details regarding the same scarce at the moment.
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As per a report from March 2018, the launch of the Mahindra S201 and Mahindra U321 will take place by this festive season. The S201 will take the fight to the Maruti Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport, and the Tata Nexon with an aggressive pricing strategy. Mahindra's MPV is likely to slot in between the new Maruti Ertiga and the Toyota Innova Crysta, in price positioning.
