The Mahindra KUV100 compact SUV has been revealed today through official sketches. The name, pronounced as KUV ‘1 double Oh’, stands for “Kool Utility Vehicle”, while the numeric ‘100’ represents the pecking order of the series which comes in below TUV300 and XUV500. Aimed squarely at the youth, the KUV100 will be positioned below the TUV300. The Mahindra KUV100 will be launched on January 15, 2016, at the manufacturer’s Chakan plant near Pune, while bookings will commence from December 19.
Styling of the sub-4 meter long pseudo crossover has been done with inputs from Pininfarina, the famous Italian design studio that was acquired by Mahindra earlier this week. As for Mahindra’s efforts, they claim to have put its youngest and the most creative designers on the job. The KUV100 has short overhangs, a clamshell bonnet, sculpted sides and aggressive bumpers, along with a prominent haunch at the back.
Built on a newly developed monocoque platform, the KUV100 will also usher in the first members of Mahindra’s new family of mFalcon petrol and engines, developed in conjunction with SsangYong. The KUV100 will employ the smallest of the lot – a 1.2-litre, dual VVT motor dubbed the mFalcon80, good for 82 bhp @ 5500 rom and 114 Nm of torque available between 3500-3600 rpm. This engine is essentially the base for the 1.6-litre petrol used in the SsangYong products internationally.
Also on the offing is a 1.2-litre, turbo-charged diesel engine called the mFalcon75, which will develop 77 bhp @ 3750 rpm and 190 Nm of torque available between 1750-2250 rpm. The development cost of the mFalcon engines is pegged at INR 500 crore, while Mahindra assures that there will be six engines in this family running on both diesel and petrol power, with capacities set at 1.2, 1.5 and 1.6 litres.
Speaking at the brand name and engine reveal event, Dr. Pawan Goenka, Executive Director, M&M Ltd. said “We are all set to create a new segment with the launch of the KUV100 which also marks our foray into ground up petrol engines. An ambitious project from the very start, the KUV100, is all set to carve its niche amongst first time car buyers with its unique propositions. I am confident that the KUV100, like its predecessors, will become an extremely popular brand and will be cited for taking Mahindra to a whole new orbit”.
The KUV100 will be available in four variants: K2, K4, K6 and K8, along with 7 exterior colour options, with ABS as standard and airbags as an optional feature from the base variant onwards. Actor Varun Dhawan will be the brand ambassador for the KUV100, while Mr. Keshub Mahindra will be the first owner of the vehicle. On launch, the Mahindra KUV100 will take on the likes of Hyundai Grandi10, Ford Figo and Maruti Suzuki Wagon R.
Pravin Shah, President & Chief Executive, (Automotive), M&M Ltd. said, “With the evolving aspirations of today’s youth we needed a product that will effectively address their needs for an SUV lifestyle. Being a listening organization, we identified the need gaps among consumers and started planning for the product. Coming from our state of the art manufacturing plant at Chakan, the KUV100 is a no-compromise, next-generation compact SUV that will set the stage for the emergence of an all new category.”
Stay tuned to Motoroids for more updates on the Mahindra KUV100.
What I guess is Mahindra gonna positions this KUV 100 in premium Hatch back segment.Not as u said early,its a rival for WagonR,Grandi10 and figo.