Upcoming Mahindra XUV700 will be the flagship model positioned above XUV500; to use 9.2-inch touchscreen on top-end variants
Mahindra & Mahindra have busy months ahead following the launch of all-new premium MPV, the Marazzo. Two more products are in the pipeline as the Indian manufacturer will be introducing a Fortuner rival and a Vitara Brezza competitor to have a second dash at the subcompact SUV segment.
While the S201 is expected to grace the market by festive season, Mahindra will bring in a flagship full-sized SUV that is a re-badged form of SsangYong’s globally well-received Rexton. Internally codenamed Y400, the premium SUV with credible off-roading character will sit atop the range above XUV500.
It will go head-on against Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and soon-arriving Honda CR-V. The test mules of the SUV with probable ‘XUV700’ nameplate have been spotted since making its domestic debut at 2018 Auto Expo in either Mahindra or SsangYong badge.
However, as the launch nears the second generation Rexton is almost ready for entering showrooms. As can be seen in our latest spy images, the Y400 in white body colour does not showcase any variant details and the Mahindra emblem is hidden from viewing. But its visual and cabin appearances do give away several information that long stayed as rumours.
Originally making global premiere at the 2017 Seoul Motor Show last year, the SsangYong Rexton had indeed been displayed to shareholders and select dealers at the brand’s Annual General Meeting in Mumbai with Mahindra badge. Mahindra has made some subtle details to the big SUV especially at the front.
The vertically-slated grille and slightly modified bumper section are more aligned with Mahindra’s latest design cues and mechanical changes would have been made to suspension and other components to suit Indian road conditions. Courtesy of localisation, we can expect it to be priced competitively starting from Rs. 24 lakh (ex-showroom).
The interior spy pictures ensure that Mahindra’s version won’t have any significant tweaks. The well-executed plush interior possesses premium brown Nappa leather and black theme, topped off by a 9.2-inch HD touchscreen infotainment with connectivity options. Other main features are 7.0-inch LCD instrument cluster, smart tailgate, climate control, etc.
Taking design inspiration from the LIV-2 Concept, the Y400 has a ‘quad-frame’ construction and it measures 4,850 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width, and stands 1,800 mm with 2,865 mm wheelbase. In the international markets, it is sold with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol developing and a 2.2-litre turbo diesel.
For India, Mahindra will only sell the bigger four-cylinder diesel making 187 horsepower and 420 Nm peak torque with two- and four-wheel drive options. A seven-speed torque converter automatic, as you can see in the spy images, will handle the transmission duties at least initially.
Mahindra XUV700 Spy Images
