- Enhancement for Mahindra’s XUV500
- Advanced auto with all-wheel drive
- Fuel burn: 7.4 litres/100km possible
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa. – Mahindra’s XUV500 sport utility vehicle has been enhanced with an automatic transmission – an advanced six-speed that, initially, will only be available on the front-wheel W8 derivative.
Sanjoy Gupta, chief executive officer of Mahindra SA, told The Corner in a media release: “Our XUV500 has been extremely well-received since launch in October 2015 year but feedback from customers indicated that significant demand for an automatic transmission.”
So, a brand-new and advanced auto from leading global transmission manufacturer Aisin has joined the models’ specifications.
“The auto box,” Mahindra says, “links a torque converter to planetary gears for smooth and precise gear shifts to deliver the quick responses of a manual transmission with the refinement, convenience and ease-of-use associated with an automatic.
“The six-speed design has been optimised for response and fuel-efficiency with brisk acceleration and mid-range tractability. An overdrive sixth gear produces economical open-road cruising.
The transmission also has a ‘creep’ function to cope with stop/start urban traffic – and a manual override gives enthusiast drivers the option of self-shifting.
The 2.2-litre, four-cylinder, mHawk turbodiesel uses a variable-geometry turbocharger to produce 103kW at 3750rpm and 330Nm from to 2800rpm. Fuel consumption, Mahindra adds, of 7.4 litres/100km is possible.
The transmission also has a ‘creep’ function to cope with stop/start urban traffic – and a manual override gives enthusiast drivers the option of self-shifting.
ALL-TERRAIN TYRES ON ALLOYS
The 2.2-litre, four-cylinder, mHawk turbodiesel uses a variable-geometry turbocharger to produce 103kW at 3750rpm and 330Nm from to 2800rpm. Fuel consumption, Mahindra adds, of 7.4 litres/100km is possible.
The rear has tall longitudinal tail light clusters and the car runs on multi-spoke 17″-inch alloy rims shod with all-terrain tyres. The upholstery is black leather and a 19cm colour touchscreen is located in the centre stack in the case of the W8 models to provide easy access to the XUV500’s comprehensive infotainment features: satnav with voice prompts, a multi-speaker sound system, Bluetooth for hands-free telephony and music streaming, iPod-compatible USB sockets and a reversing camera.
LOTS OF HIGH-END FEATURES
There are three seat rows for seven people – two up front, three on the middle bench, and two behind that.
The XUV500 W8 models have auto headlights, wipers and aircon, remote-controlled central locking, cruise control and a multifunction steering-wheel, power windows and exterior mirrors, an air-cooled centre console, and a charging point for all seats.
Passive crash protection includes two front, side and curtain crash bags, a seat belt for each passenger, side-impact protection and crash crumple zones.
Active safety systems variously involve all-disc anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control with roll-over mitigation, hill-hold and hill descent control.
PRICING, SERVICE AND WARRANTY
The XUV500 is available through Mahindra’s national dealer network. Recommended retail prices..
Mahindra XUV500 W4 – R272 995
Mahindra XUV500 W6 – R319 995
Mahindra XUV500 W8 – R354 995
Mahindra XUV500 W8 AWD – R374 995
Mahindra XUV500 W8 a/t – R389 995
…include a five-year or 150 000km warranty and a five-year or 100 000km service plan. Services intervals 20 000km or every 12 months, whichever comes first.
Carman's Corner 