Mahindra Marazzo will soon come with AMT gearbox option but it will be replaced by torque converter unit with the updated BSVI engine next year
Mahindra introduced the much awaited new Marazzo last year and it is available only with a manual gearbox. The company announced during the launch that the automatic variant of Marazzo will be introduced later. According to a new report, Mahindra is planning to launch the AMT version of Marazzo by next month.
The company decided to introduce AMT variant because the automatic gearbox with updated BSVI engine is still some time away as it is likely to be introduced close to the deadline of April 2020 only and customers in this segment prefer automatic gearbox. The new generation of Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, which was introduced by the end of last year also comes with an automatic gearbox (only with petrol).
The AMT gearbox will be sourced from Magneti Marelli and it will be short term solution only as the MPV will get a proper torque converter gearbox from Aisin with the upgraded BSVI engine, which will make it more appealing for the customers. Mahinda might also introduce the petrol version of Marazzo at the same time as they are waiting for the BSVI norm.
The petrol engine could be the same 1.2L turbocharged unit from XUV 300 and the company might tune the engine to produce slightly more power. We are not expecting the company to make any other changes for the MPV. Mahindra sold 3504 units of Marazzo last month and the sales of the MPV is hovering between 3000 and 4000 units monthly.
The Marazzo posted 9 per cent Month-On-Month growth in January 2019 but Maruti sold more than 6000 units of Ertiga. The company developed a new 1.5 L turbocharged diesel for the Marazzo and it produces 123 PS of power and 300 Nm of torque. This engine is mated to 6-speed manual gearbox and it comes with two different power modes – Economy and Power.
According to ARAI, this engine returns 17.6 Kmpl and the company has used crank-offset technology to reduced vibrations. The Marazzo comes with so many features like touch screen infotainment system, climate control, aircraft-inspired AC vents, electronically controlled mirrors, dual airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, ISOFIX child seat mounts.