Mahindra&Mahindra is one of India’s most successful automotive companies, but has achieved modest sales success on local soil. With the introduction of the all-new XUV 500, Mahindra wants to ramp up its brand cachet to a decidedly premium level. Could the XUV500 spice up the appeal of Mahindra’s passenger cars?
A day after Mahindra unveiled the XUV500 to the press in India; South African media had the opportunity to sample the new vehicle in Johannesburg. And as I’m sure you’ve noticed from the pictures above, the XUV500 looks nothing like Mahindra’s produced before. This modern new look is the result of an extensive design programme and believe it or not, has been penned to imitate the profile of a Cheetah in motion. Okay then…
At the very least, Mahindra has shifted away from the perceived utilitarian appeal of the rest of its product line-up (consider the Thar and Bolero, for example). The dramatic front end (supposedly inspired by a Cheetah’s jaws) could curry favour especially with the North American domestic market and there are plenty of hard angles and defined lines, which in conjunction with over-emphasized fender flares, create quite an impressive overall profile. Could the XUV500 be THE best automotive design out of mainland Asia to date?
We’ll be getting three models in South Africa, a lower specification W6 4×2 and high-spec W8 4×2 and 4×4 models. There weren’t any 4x4s available yet at the time of launch, so with quite an attractive price the similarly specced W8 4×2 was my chariot of choice for the 27-kilometre sample route.
I can’t commend the mix of interior colour options (my model was decked out in caramel and brown hues), but otherwise, the XUV500 is as well equipped as any other SUV in its price range. Full leather, seven seats, hill descent and hill hold, front and rear park assist, dual-zone climate control, a cooler box that doubles as a centre armrest as well as rain-sensing wipers and automatically activated xenon lights are but a few of the XUV500’s long list of niceties. My favourite surprise and delight feature was the multimedia interface – with a USB input socket, touch-screen, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity and MP3 compatibility.
The leather-clad seats aren’t of the stiff variety at all – I almost sunk into my driving position, and there’s plenty of space despite what appears to be a compact look by virtue of that rising shoulder line. The perceived manner of fit and finish is decent and the interior even smells okay, but that faux-wood centre console reflects quite a lot of light into the windshield… and the faces of the driver and front passenger.
Still, I was impressed with the presentation. So I depress the clutch and … the result is some slow going. The action of the far left pedal is not the concern – it’s the response of its far-right counterpart, as the throttle requires quite a prod before the turbodiesel shows a significant sign of life, but climbs its torque wall quickly thereafter. The 2,2-litre unit develops 103 kW at 3 750 r/min and 330 N.m of torque from 1 600 – 2 800. It drives the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox.
On the road, the powerplant does its job efficiently (Mahindra claims a combined consumption figure of under 8,0 litres/100km) and effectively shuffles the XUV 500 along in a refined manner. The engine noise isn’t intrusive, but I experienced a lot of wind noise at the national limit. Nothing that can’t be remedied by turning up the volume of the audio system, mind you, but something to keep in mind.
The comfortable seats were accentuated by the good ride as well. I didn’t have a chance to do any dynamic testing on a route that mainly comprised of highway driving, but I can mention that the XUV 500 boasts a compliant suspension. And apart from my gripes about the shiny plastic wood console and lethargic throttle action, I also feel that the rear seats should have been removable, because they don’t fold entirely flat.
Overall, though, I think the XUV500 from Group 1 Mahindra is tremendously good value for money – especially for those who hanker after SUV status, but can’t afford the mainstream offerings. At affordable prices for the W6 4×2 and the W8 4×2, as well as the the range-topping W8 4×4 (all with three-years/100 000 km warranties, three-years/60 000 km service plans and roadside assistance cover for a year) – it would be folly to overlook the XUV 500!
* Engine: 2,2 litre, turbodiesel
* Power: 103 kW at 3 750 r/min
* Torque: 350 N.m at 1 600 r/min
* Combined European cycle fuel consumption: 8,0 litres/100 km
* CO2 figure: n/a
* Acceleration: n/a
* Top speed: n/a
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