Mahindra Marazzo platform is scalable in nature and can give birth to C-segment seven-seat and eight-seat vehicles in the near future
The newly launched Mahindra Marazzo is offered in seven- and eight-seat configurations and comes priced aggressively between Rs. 9.99 lakh and Rs. 13.90 lakh (ex-showroom) as it goes head-to-head with Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and Toyota Innova Crysta. It is no secret that Mahindra is also planning the launch of rebadged Rexton SUV later this year, before the arrival of the all-important S201 compact SUV with volume aspiration.
The Marazzo is a highly promising product from Mahindra with Shark-inspired design language and is also based on a new modular hybrid chassis with scalable outputs and the new transverse-mounted engine. The construction is a blend of ladder frame and monocoque levering the advantages of both and Mahindra has several patents on the vehicle.
The new U321 platform is developed with engineering and conceptualisation inputs from Mahindra Research Valley and Mahindra North American Technical Centre (MNATC) in Detroit Michigan. In a latest interview, Rajan Wadhera, President – Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra, has said that the scalable platform “can take a seven- to eight-seater product…”
It could either be a crossover or a thoroughbred SUV. He emphasised that a typical seven- and an eight-seat C-segment vehicle can be born out of the architecture. The flexible platform can be scaled up or down to develop “compact segment car” as well indicating the foresight nature of the brand.
Going by his inputs, we could well be looking at a seven-seat Jeep Compass rival in the coming years. It may as well target the likes of Hyundai Tucson and the seven-seat derivative of the Tata Harrier that would launch within a year after the five-seater’s debut early next year.
With Jeep India planning a compact SUV in the sub-10 lakh space and a three-row mid-size UV for the domestic market, Mahindra’s collaboration with Ford may come in handy, as the partnership had already confirmed to give rise to a mid-size SUV amidst global commitments.
With Mahindra reportedly not launching any new product until 2020 after the S201, the co-developed midsize SUV is expected to be based on the Marazzo’s hybrid chassis and could be launched in the early parts of next decade. It is more likely to use the same 1.5-litre diesel engine with perhaps uprated power and torque ratings.