Mahindra will launch its new global SUV, the XUV500, on September 28, 2011. Pronounced as XUV ‘5 double Oh’, the new SUV is M&M’s first attempt at a monocoque vehicle, powered by a transverse engine.
The XUV500 will be powered by a transversely located 2.2-litre mHawk engine and a five and a six speed gear box. The SUV will be available in both 4×2 and 4×4 options. The Engine generates 140bhp and the company plans to bump it further to 170 in future. Torque is decent at 320Nm.
The XUV will be loaded with safety features like traction control, ESP, and hill descent control.
The new XUV500 will be launched initially in India and South Africa and will be subsequently launched in other markets later on. Both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions will be unveiled together.
The XUV500 will be positioned above the Scorpio and it could cost around Rs 13 lakh for the base 2WD version.
