- Fresh new design with boldest Mahindra grille
- Luxury features and seven seats standard
- Expect to pay a R2999 per month for wagon
PRETORIA, Gauteng – Mahindra’s TUV300 sport utility wagon, now in South Africa, is claiming to have a new and bolder design thanks to a mid-life design and specification upgrade.
The wagon has an updated frontal design, fresh rear lights cluster and a spare wheel mounted in a new holder on the rear door.
How many models? Well, just one – but it’s the top specification T8 at R254 999.
The most dramatic updates are up front with a new grille design, new headlights and a lower bumper.
SPORTY SPOILER
”The grille,” Mahindra says, ”is the boldest interpretation of our five-slot grille with its wide chromed slats; the headlights now have a carbon-black finish intended to merge with the black/chromed grille.
”Two squared-off foul-weather lights are standard, there’s now a metallic-grey front scuff plate, and thick black cladding between the squared-off wheel arches.”
A sporty rear spoiler has appeared on the roof , the spare-wheel cover has what the automaker describes as having ”a stylish X-design” and standard alloy wheel rims emphasize the wagon’s ground clearance.
Rugged wagons need a rugged interior; the TUV300 has one, though softened by silver detailing around the air vents and main controls. Most of the work is from design house Pininfarina, owned by the Mahindra group.
Also standard are power-assisted steering, infotainment system, Bluetooth phone connectivity and voice messaging, power window lifts, aircon, height adjustment for the driver’s seat, and rear-Intellipark parking radar.
Crash protection has two front nitrogen bags, a safety cell with impact absorbing channels, and side-impact bars should anti-lock brakes, cornering brake control and electronic brake-pressure prove insufficient.
READ MORE Mahindra featureson Carman’s Corner
”The TUV300 is,” the automaker says, ”beneath its upmarket shell, a Mahindra Scorpio, leaving no doubt about its tough and durable credentials. In the TUV300, this includes seven seats, rear-wheel drive, and a ladder-frame chassis.
Motive power comes from a Mahindra 1.5 mHawk turbodiesel engine fitted with dual-stage turbocharging and common-rail direct injection for 73.5kW at 3750rpm and 240Nm from 1600-2800rpm, all sent to the rear axle through a five-speed manual gearbox.
Four body shades are available: red, white, silver and orange.The TUV300 will be delivered with a five-year or 90 000km* service plan and three-year or 100 000km* mechanical warranty and roadside assistance.
Services, after the initial 10 000km lubrication service, are e\required every 20 000km.
*Whichever comes first.
