
The seven-seater SUV has longer wheelbase than segment leader Toyota Fortuner and is expected to be priced aggressively
Mahindra took the covers off the re-badged SsangYong G4 Rexton at the 2018 Auto Expo after making world premiere at the 2017 Seoul Motor Show. It will be positioned above the XUV500 and is expected to bear the XUV700 nomenclature. The Y400 spied this time around in India has a different grille though, as opposed to the SsangYong’s grille and badge Mahindra used to test it with.
Mahindra & Mahindra is facing increased competition of late in the compact as well as premium SUV segments. The largest SUV manufacturer in the country has to make do with latest rivals like Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Hyundai Creta as both capture sizable chunk in the market when Bolero and Scorpio continue to the brand’s sales movers despite launching new vehicles.
The likes of TUV300 and KUV100 have not been as triumphant as they were expected to be forcing Mahindra to amp up the arrival of a fresh breed of vehicles. Mahindra is all prepared to introduce the seven- and eight-seat versions of Marazzo MPV next month, while the Tivoli-based sub-four-metre SUV is focussing on big volume sales as well.
They will more likely make a huge impact and help Mahindra to raise back up to third in the monthly sales table. They will be complemented by the flagship SUV as the SsangYong G4 Rexton based premium model will compete against the likes of Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and the upcoming Honda CR-V.
A latest spy shot emerged on the interweb showcases the XUV700 with a new front grille whose identity is taped. Mahindra left the rest of the body undisguised as changes will be restricted to the grille portion. It appears to have vertical slats as similar to the show car displayed in February with Mahindra badge placed in the middle.
The number of slats seems to remain at six on either side as Mahindra continues fiddling around with possible options. The high-riding premium SUV will boast Mahindra’s off-roading characteristics to the fullest and is based on the ladder-on-frame construction showcasing its ruggedness.
Expected to be priced between Rs. 25 lakh and Rs. 30 lakh (ex-showroom), the seven-seater has longer wheelbase than segment leader Toyota Fortuner and will be powered by a 2.2-litre e-XDi220 LET turbocharged diesel engine making 187 PS and 420 Nm as in the current Rexton. It is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission sourced from Mercedes-Benz.
The Rexton will be offered in two- and four-wheel drive configurations and a possibility of a 2.0-litre petrol engine with six-speed MT is meagre. The LIV-2 Concept derived SUV will come equipped with features like 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, multi-functional steering wheel with mounted controls, premium interior finishes, nine airbags, LED DRLs, several driver assistance technologies, etc.
Spy Source: Facebook