In the beginning of this year, we had reported the Supreme Court staying the diesel car (2000cc and above) ban in Delhi. This put all major OEMs in a tight spot, including India's largest SUV manufacturer M&M. But the guys at Mahindra had other plans. First, they routed all their stock of XUV500 and Scorpio to other regions across the country. Next their engineers began work on the 2.2-litre Hawk engine, and downsized it to 1.99-litre to dodge the SC ruling.
Interestingly, though the engine has been downsized, it packs the same performance as its predecessor.
The new engines would be coupled by a five-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic transmission. As far as the prices go, the new Scorpio starts at INR 9.67 lacs (ex-showroom Delhi), and the XUV500 at INR 11.58 lacs (ex-showroom Delhi).
M&M have addressed the situation in a shrewd manner with this new launch and are back on track to top the SUV sales charts in 2016. But one wonders if the purpose of the SC ruling has been clearly lost with such modifications. Also, with Mahindra's Zero emission policy with their electric car, the Reva e2o, in support of the environment, again one wonders if they have lost the larger plot in looking for increase in sales numbers. Maybe M&M should look to come up with a smart hybrid/electric SUV in the future.
Interestingly, though the engine has been downsized, it packs the same performance as its predecessor.
Mahindra Scorpio:
- 120 bhp of Max Power @ 4000 rpm
- 280 NM of max Torque between 1800 and 2800 rpm
Mahindra XUV 500:
- 140 bhp of Max Power @ 4000 rpm
- 330 NM of max Torque between 1600 and 2800 rpm
The new engines would be coupled by a five-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic transmission. As far as the prices go, the new Scorpio starts at INR 9.67 lacs (ex-showroom Delhi), and the XUV500 at INR 11.58 lacs (ex-showroom Delhi).
M&M have addressed the situation in a shrewd manner with this new launch and are back on track to top the SUV sales charts in 2016. But one wonders if the purpose of the SC ruling has been clearly lost with such modifications. Also, with Mahindra's Zero emission policy with their electric car, the Reva e2o, in support of the environment, again one wonders if they have lost the larger plot in looking for increase in sales numbers. Maybe M&M should look to come up with a smart hybrid/electric SUV in the future.
Mahindra launches the XUV500 and Scorpio in Delhi with reworked 1.99 litre mHawk engine
Reviewed by Hemanth Choudary
on
3/08/2016
Rating:
Reviewed by Hemanth Choudary
on
3/08/2016
Rating:
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