Mahindra all set to launch its global SUV, the XUV 500

Mahindra’s growth in the SUV segment has definitely been on the “rise” ever since it introduced the rugged Scorpio and the versatile Xylo in the Indian market. Buoyed by the duo’s success, Mahindra is all set to launch its first global SUV christened the XUV 500.

Let’s get to the name bit first. Why XUV you ask? Well according Mahindra this baby is the next-gen SUV which is all set on taking the SUV game further and hence they decided to take the general SUV term further as well with the term XUV. As for the double O, that connotes the “OOmph” factor.

Now that we have the name bit figured out, let’s get to the product itself. Mahindra is looking to position the XUV 500 between the Scorpio and the premium SUV range which comprises of the Toyota Fortuner, Chevrolet Captiva, Mitubishi Outlander, Honda CR-V and the likes. With no manufacturer present in that segment Mahindra has got it bang on by being the first to play this field. From what we think, only the quirky but extremely capable Skoda Yeti can be termed as the XUV 500’s closest competition but only time will confirm that. 

Designed entirely at Mahindra’s R&D centre in Chennai, the XUV promises a lot of firsts for Mahindra. The XUV 500 is all set to be the country’s first indigenously developed monocoque SUV and also the first to offer a transverse engine layout. Since the XUV 500 is going to be a global vehicle, it was conceived and designed with global standards of quality, technology, testing norms, regulations and emissions right from the very beginning. The vehicle is slated to be manufactured at M&M’s Chakan facilty in Maharashtra.

As for the launch, Mahindra is all set to get the XUV 500 on Indian and International roads before the end of this calendar year. India and South Africa will be the first to get it before it makes its way to Australia and South East Asia. The XUV 500 will be available in both 4x2 and 4x4 variants. Mahindra is extremely keen on its latest baby and with a spate of popular products we do not doubt them either but whether or not the XUV 500 will have the “oomph” to capture the peoples hearts and take advantage of being the segment starter, only time can tell. Keep watching this space for more.