The new TUV300, Mahindra's next entrant in the compact SUV segment will be launched on September 10, 2015. Mahindra was one of the first to make its entry into the compact SUV segment with the Quanto, but it failed to attract customers due to its chopped-Xylo image and top-heavy nature.
The TUV300 is the company's first ground-up attempt at the sub-four-meter SUV segment and has been recently seen in close-to-production form which revealed most of its angular and butch-looking exterior styling. There is a hint of the Bolero at the front, but as clarified by Mahindra executives, the TUV is not a replacement for the Bolero.
We also got our hands on a new set of spy pictures which confirm that the TUV300 will come in a seven-seat configuration. Mahindra will equip the TUV300 with a single jump seat on each side just behind the second row. This arrangement, also seen in the Quanto, looks a bit cramped due to the sub-four-metre length of the SUV.
The TUV300's interior will come equipped with creature comforts such as an infotainment system with a large touchscreen, similar to the one seen on the Scorpio and the XUV500, that will likely include audio-video and navigation systems. It will also get dedicated USB and AUX ports along with Bluetooth connectivity. The TUV300's dashboard will feature a mix of faux aluminium and chrome. The instrument cluster houses two large, circular, chrome-ringed dials, like on the XUV500, and there’s an all-new three-spoke steering wheel, with a prominent Mahindra logo at the centre. Top trims of the TUV300 will come with steering-mounted controls as well. However, the TUV300 is likely to miss out on automatic climate control.
The TUV300 will be powered by a new mHawk80 engine, which is expected to be an updated version of the Quanto's 1.5-litre three-cylinder diesel motor. This qualifies the TUV300 as a small car, and warrants a lower rate of excise duty. Mahindra will launch the TUV300 in a two-wheel-drive form, but company insiders say that a four-wheel-drive version is theoretically possible on the new platform.
Mahindra is also readying another compact SUV (Codename S101) which is likely to be unveiled by the end of this year.