NDTV suggests that the Mahindra XUV500 facelift is purportedly scheduled for a May 25 launch. This will be the XUV500’s first, significant overhaul since it was launched in September 2011.
So what’s new here?
- Stylistically, the front fascia has been revisited to accommodate a new grille and a refreshed bumper.
- The double barrel headlamps now have a slim DRL strip snaking through their insides.
- The fog lamps have now been repositioned below the headlamps, and now leave a trail of chrome.
- The new air dam is an extension of the grille, the latter featuring the traditional toothy style in a new flavour with chrome highlights.
- The sides seem to have been left alone, while the back gets a larger chrome trimmed rear registration plate surround.
- The XUV500 facelift will also ride on a set of newly designed 10-spoke alloy wheels.
- These spy images, courtesy Team BHP, also reveal a new ‘Purple’ shade, while the interiors seem to be largely identical, apart from changes in upholstery.
Mechanically, it is expected that the XUV500 facelift will continue to be powered by a the same 2.2-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine outputting a maximum power of 140 bhp @ 3750 rpm and a peak torque of 330 Nm between 1600 and 2800 rpm. Mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox, the XUV500 face-lift will continue with the current 2WD and 4WD options.
The face-lift might add a slight tune to to drive-train for better performance and fuel economy. Word is that a new automatic transmission might get introduced with the face-lift (possibly at a later stage), which will reportedly be the same Aisin 6-speed unit that debuted with the recently launched SsangYong Tivoli compact SUV.
Watch this space.
UGLY!!