Mahindra & Mahindra has silently launched the XUV300 BS6 in a price range of Rs 8.69-12.69 Lakhs (Ex. Showroom, India) in the country. The pricing of the updated BS6 models have been kept the same as the BS4 models, while the W8 AMT variant has been phased out. The AMT gearbox is now available in a couple of grades only which are W6 and W8 (O). Mahindra XUV300 BS6 diesel sees a marginal drop in power output as compared to the BS4 model, while it will be up against the likes of Maruti Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Ford EcoSport and Tata Nexon in the Indian market.
There are no cosmetic updates to the BS6 range of XUV300, nor any new features have been added. The company had already updated the petrol variants to BS6 emission norms in December last year and with the updation to diesel range now, the whole XUV300 lineup is now BS6 compliant. Though, the peak power has dropped by nearly 2bhp from 117bhp to 115bhp but the torque figures have remained intact at 300Nm while the 6-speed manual and AMT gearboxes have been retained from the BS4 models. The Mumbai-based automaker had also showcased a more powerful Sportz variant at the 2020 Auto Expo with a new 1.2L direct injection turbocharged petrol engine with power output and torque performance of 130bhp and 230Nm, respectively.
The new 1.2L petrol engine belongs to mStallion family of Mahindra engines with power and torque higher by 20bhp and 30Nm, respectively, than the ongoing turbocharged petrol engine. It is also expected to go on sale in the next couple of months once things settle down and normalcy returns after the Coronavirus outbreak. The deadly virus has caused huge losses to the automakers and resulted in delaying of several product launches and media drives. All the automakers have temporarily shut down their production facilities while minimising workforce at the dealerships and R&D centres as a part of preventive measures. We hope to see a slew of new products from Mahindra in the next few months.