Mahindra XUV 5OO takes debut Desert Storm podium

  • Mar 6, 2012
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The Mahindra XUV 5OO creates history in the Indian Rally scene by becoming the first diesel car to secure a podium in an Extreme Rally in the recently held Desert Storm 2012

Debut Desert Storm Podium for XUV 5OO

Mahindra’s new baby, the XUV 5OO once again stole the limelight as it took a podium finish in its Desert Storm debut this year. Three time National champion and APRC winning driver Gaurav Gill and INRC winning driver Lohitt Urs drove the Mahindra for 3,500km in six days including a night stage.


The rally commenced in New Delhi, and the first leg itself comprised the night stage. The competitive stages continued further in a round trip through Rajasthan, enduring the scorching heat of the Thar Desert and in Gujarat through the flat plains of the Runn of Kutch, after which the rally finally ended in Ahmedabad.


The diesel-engined XUV proved to be as competitive as any other petrol-powered car as the rally-spec ‘Super XUV 5OO’ made its way on the podium after starting the rally in 35th place. Lohitt Urs jumped the vehicle up six places on the penultimate day over the 395km long special off road stage with an average speed of 98km/h. Apart from the podium finish the team also managed to top the charts by clocking fastest times in three Special Stages.


"Mahindra entered the Extreme category for the first time in many years and the XUV5OO conquered the Desert with dogged determination and confidence to create Indian motor sports history. This unprecedented podium finish by the Mahindra XUV500 is a testimony to the 20 Auto awards it has won since its launch!” said Vivek Nayer, Sr. Vice-President, Marketing, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra.


This is only the first time the car had seen the ruthless rally conditions in the Extreme category of the Desert Storm and it has already made a place for itself in Indian Automotive Motorsport history, with that in mind, the XUV 5OO is sure to bag some more records by its name in the rallies to come.

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