Following the ban on registration of vehicles with engine capacity of over 2,000cc in the NCR region, Mahindra is working on ways to continue the sales of its SUVs in Delhi and surrounding cities. In a bid to comply with the new norms, Mahindra will equip its SUVs, the Scorpio and XUV5OO with the smaller displacement mHawk engines.
A 1.9-litre engine will propel the vehicles sold in the NCR. Mahindra has already received necessary approvals from Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) for a prototype of the new Scorpio with the smaller displacement engine. The new SUV is expected to reach the dealerships very soon. Mahindra’s premium SUV, the XUV5OO, is currently undergoing the certification process. These new variants would also be made available across the country.
“Despite downsizing, the power and torque is expected to be maintained at the similar level as offered with the 2.2-litre engine,” said a source who is close to the development.
Speaking on the subject, Mahindra Executive Director Pawan Goenka said, “We are certainly prepared for all eventualities. We are coming up with a petrol line-up which will be made available over a period of time. This will be our defence over something like this.”
In an attempt to curb the rising pollution in the city, Delhi government took several steps one of which was a ban on the registration of diesel vehicles with a displacement of over 2,000cc till March 31, 2016. The Delhi government also experimented with the “Odd-Even” numberplate rule which ended today.
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Source: ET Auto