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29 September 2011

Mahindra XUV500 launched

Remember the Mahindra Scorpio, the one you sometimes can see pounding along our streets? The orthodox-looking SUV is actually a recent car, totally opposed by its aesthetics. The drivetrain even include an automatic gearbox with 6 forward ratios. Now the sucessor model has arrived. And it is bang in 2011 kind of look.

Its manufacturer draws the inspiration from Cheetah, an athletic creature with ever-ready to pounce body curve. The front grille and headlight (complete with DRL) is inspired by cheetah jaw. That perhaps explained the whisker like bar in the black-out panel below the headlamps.
The side profile is characterized by strong beltlines running parallel with the glass lines, before curving with circular lines, where the its originating circle's centre points lies similar to wheel arches. Again, cheetah inspiration is used liberally, with pouncing stance quoted to be the comparison.
The door handle is really unconventional. The cheetah paw-inspired door outside handle pivots around its front edge and you pull it like the bar-type door handle, albeit with different holding points. It is very noticeably funky though. This is very far cry from the forever-old Scorpio.

The SUV is suspended by McPherson struts up front and multilink at the back. Disc brakes take care of the braking on all four corners, which wears 235/65 R17 wheel and tyre combo.

The interior too is a major departure from existing model, with more modern looking instrument panel and meter binnacle. The cabin can house seven people, with interesting touch with the lighting around the headlining and door inside handle. The dual-tone interior is adorned with silver garnishing, lining around the centre console upwards, as well as on the door pull handle and steering wheel. 
The XUV500 comes with 6" touch screen LCD in the centre console. The infotainment system comes with DVD player, CD/MP3, FM, BlueSense technology, 6 speakers setup and customary ipod connectivity. GPS navigation is available too.


Mahindra XUV500 is powered by state-of-the-art mHawk 2.2l turbo-diesel VGT lump, capable of producing 140bhp and 330Nm of power and torque respectively. The engine is mated to 6 speed manual transmission and the SUV can return 15.1 km/litre of fuel mileage. Both 2WD and AWD models are available. 

Summary technical specifications for the XUV500 is as below:
Engine and Transmission:
Engine Displacement:
2179 CC
No Of Cylinders:
4
No Of Gears:
6 speed synchromesh manual
Power (PS):
142 PS
Torque (NM):
330 Nm
Transmission:
Manual
Kerb Weight:
2450 Kgs.
Fuel Type:
Diesel
Drive Type:
AWD


Brakes Steering Suspension and Tyres:
Brakes Front:
Disk
Brakes Rear:
Disk
Steering Type:
Rack and Pinion
Minimum Turning Radius:
5.6 MM
Suspension Front:
Mcpherson Strut with Anti Roll Bar
Suspension Rear:
Multilink with Anti Roll Bar
Tyre Size:
P235/65 R17
Wheel Size:
17

Exterior Dimensions:
Length x Width x  Height:
4585*1890*1785
Wheelbase(mm):
2700 mm

Interior Dimensions:
Fuel Capacity (Litres):
70 Ltr.
Seating Capacity:
7