Based on the SsangYong Tivoli, the obvious design interpretations in the compact SUV are visible as it gets a boxy pattern like main rival Maruti Vitara Brezza
Mahindra & Mahindra has long been the biggest passenger UV manufacturer in the country with its entire portfolio comprising of popular vehicles. However, the recent surge in sales of SUVs and crossovers has resulted in other brands jumping in the bandwagon and succeed in front of its own eyes. FCA relies completely on a single product, the Jeep Compass, for its local sales currently and since launching in July 2017, well over 25,000 units have been retailed.
Maruti Suzuki, on the other hand, targeted a volume-based sub-four metre segment and the Vitara Brezza has shattered competition for more than two years by registering 10,000 average monthly units. While it reigns as the best-selling SUV in the country currently, Hyundai Creta reassured the potential of compact premium SUVs and is going strongly with more than 9,000 examples being sold every month.
Also Read: Upcoming Mahindra S201 (Maruti Vitara Brezza Rival) – All You Need To Know
Amidst the continued support for Bolero and Scorpio among customers with the facelifted XUV500 recording good numbers, Mahindra does not have a brand new vehicle that would act as a breakthrough yet. Mahindra did not endure the popularity it had hoped for with the KUV100 and the TUV300 in the hotly contested subcompact space did not shine above the rest, despite being an early comer.
The scenario has pointed the finger at all-new upcoming vehicles as an Innova Crysta rivalling MPV and a Vitara Brezza competitor reportedly waiting to arrive before the end of this year. Codenamed S201, the compact SUV has been spied several times this year and it will be enable Mahindra a second try at the sub-4m space with an all-new product.
Also Read: Mahindra U321 MPV India Launch Expected In November
Based on the SsangYong Tivoli, the obvious design interpretations are visible as it gets a straight-forward boxy pattern like the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. It boasts round-shaped projector headlamps with integrated DRLs and the turn signals are positioned at the extreme ends. The rear end features a spoiler, wraparound tail lamps and fog lamps integrated neatly into the bumper. `
Stepping inside, the cabin gains black and beige theme with plenty of silver accents while there is a touchscreen infotainment system, red operating buttons, automatic climate control, big rotary dial and vertically stacked AC vents with piano black bezels. Mahindra will sell the all-new compact SUV with both petrol and diesel engine options as a 1.6-litre unit developed in association with SsangYong is expected to be featured.
With a completely new flavour, Mahindra is fancying a big share in the bunched up space led by Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport, Honda WR-V and others. The U321 MPV signals the premium direction Mahindra is heading and both these vehicles could get the firm right back in the hunt in two of the appealing segments.