Mahindra showcased an electric-diesel hybrid verison of XUV500 at the Auto Expo 2014. Now, according to a report by ACI, the Mahindra XUV500 Automatic will be launched in mid-2015.
According to the report, this new automatic gearbox will be a six-speed unit, which will be used in a future SsangYong compact SUV and then later in the Mahindra XUV500. “Yes, we are going to install a six-speed automatic, which is coming in January 2015 and Mahindra is also considering that same gearbox for the XUV500, so in terms of volume that is great for us and we can save some money,” said Y I Lee, President and CEO of Ssangyong Motor Company.
Today, Mahindra only has the Scorpio in the utility vehicle segment to be equipped with an automatic transmission. Australian company, Drivetrain Systems International (DSI), which supplied the transmissions for the Scorpio is now owned by the Chinese auto major- Geely.
Mahindra also showcased the Quanto with an automated manual transmission along with the hybrid XUV500 and Halo electric sportscar recently at the Auto Expo 2014. With the automated manual transmission tech being used by Tata(on the upcoming Zest compact sedan) and Maruti in their cars already, we won’t be surprised if the XUV500 comes with the automated manual transmission.
What do you think ? Should Mahindra launch the XUV500 with a normal automatic transmission or an automated manual transmission ? Do let us know your thoughts by penning them in the comments section below.
Stay tuned to Motoroids for more updates on the Mahindra XUV500 Automatic variant.