Mahindra To Launch 7-Seater XUV300 With 1.5-Liter Turbo Petrol Engine

Mahindra has already begun work on a 7-seat version of the Mahindra XUV300. The new XUV is at least a couple of years away from market launch in India though. What this means is, test mules of the 7-seat XUV300 should soon start appearing on Indian roads as Mahindra usually begins testing of a new vehicle at least a couple of years before launch. The 7 seat version of the compact SUV is expected to be called the XUV400, and is currently code-named S204. It’ll slot in between the XUV300 and the XUV500, and is likely to be a much cheaper alternative to the likes of the Kia Seltos and the Hyundai Creta. With three rows of seats, the XUV400 is likely to be aimed at those seeking a compact SUV capable of transporting seven people. According to a leaked document from a leading auto portal, it’ll borrow the 1.5 liter-4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine from the Marazzo MPV, which will soon get this engine option.

The diesel engine is likely to be carried over from the XUV300 though, with bumped up power and torque outputs. Currently, the XUV300 is offered with two engines: a 1.2 liter-3-cylinder turbocharged petrol with 115 Bhp-200 Nm, and a 1.5 liter-4-cylinder turbocharged diesel with 115 Bhp-300 Nm. 6 speed manual gearboxes are standard on both engines, and the diesel also gets a 6 speed AMT as an option.

Similar gearbox options are likely to be offered with the XUV400 as well. The SUV will continue to use the SsangYong Tivoli’s X100 platform, which the XUV300 is also based on. A market launch of 2021 is likely for the XUV400 in India. It’s likely to be offered in international markets a year down the line.

Like the XUV300, the XUV400 will be a monocoque offering. Expect it to be loaded to the brim with creature comforts and safety features considering how well equipped the XUV300 already is. From front parking sensors and an electric sunroof to 7 airbags, leather seats and tyre pressure monitoring system, the Mahindra XUV400 is likely to be a segment benchmark in terms of features. It’ll be Mahindra’s first stab at the compact SUV segment in India, which is now dominated by two Koreans – the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos. The XUV400 is likely to have the same wheelbase as the XUV300, but with increased length to accommodate an additional row of seats. Potential buyers will want a decent boot as well given the fact that this is the biggest weakness of the XUV300.