Mahindra XUV Aero concept sketch released ahead of 2016 Auto Expo

With more than 20 vehicles slated to be on display, Mahindra & Mahindra is certainly leaving no stones unturned to wow its visitors at the upcoming 2016 Auto Expo in Delhi. The Indian carmaker has now released a teaser sketch of its XUV Aero design study, a coupe-crossover concept based on the XUV 500 sports-utility vehicle.

Touted as Mahindra’s most expressive vehicle to date, the XUV Aero concept has been designed fully in-house at Mahindra by 45-year old Ramkripa Ananthan and her 45-strong team. The team also had critical design inputs from revered Italian design firm Pininfarina which Mahindra bought over recently.

Echoing the lines of the XUV500, the Aero concept gets a downward sloping roofline and is likely to come with horizontally positioned tail-lamps and a muscular bumper with faux diffusers. The concept will also be a demonstrator for Mahindra’s new infotainment and connectivity features that will feature on future production models. According to Mr. Pravin Shah, president and chief executive, automotive business at Mahindra, the Mahindra XUV Aero concept will “reflect bold design” and “come with all the futuristic connected technology”.

Pawan Goenka, executive director at Mahindra & Mahindra adds,"We have seen one or two products fail because of that (design). The Indian customers like little bit of flamboyance, it would be little bit over the top. Some experts may say, M&M have gone overboard, I would say, yes M&M has gone overboard by design and not by accident."

Apart from the XUV Aero concept, Mahindra will also showcase the facelifted Quanto with AMT and the 4-door e2o electric car at the 2016 Auto Expo.