Mahindra will soon be introducing a new trim to the XUV700 line-up. Called the AX7 Smart, the new variant will come with a few features less than the top-end AX7 Luxury version and will reportedly be around Rs 80,000 cheaper. Earlier last month, Rajesh Jejurikar, executive director, Auto and Farm Equipment Sector, M&M, had told Autocar India, during a press conference, that the company was gearing up to introduce new variants, with fewer creature comforts, to the XUV700 line-up in order to better cope with the semiconductor shortage. The imminent launch of the AX7 Smart, then, is in line with the announcement.
- AX7 Smart gets fewer features than AX7 Luxury
- Will be around Rs 80,000 more affordable than AX7 Luxury
- Has 2-3 months lesser waiting period
Mahindra XUV700 AX7 Smart: what’s new?
The AX7 Smart trim loses out on several features, compared to the top-spec AX7 Luxury trim. This includes the ADAS suite and other features like the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), hill hold assist, hill descent control, knee airbag, drive modes, electric door handles with passive keyless entry, electronic parking brake, wireless charging, telescopic steering and the driver drowsiness detection feature.
The AX7 Smart will likely be made available on both petrol and diesel versions and will still be pretty generously equipped with the twin 10.25-inch screens, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, AdrenoX connected-car tech with a two-year subscription, built-in Alexa voice assists, 360-degree camera, blind view monitoring, auto booster headlamp, 12-speaker Sony 3D sound system, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, six-way powered driver’s seat, auto headlamps and wipers, panoramic sunroof, leatherette seats and more.
Safety features on board the XUV700 AX7 Smart will include ABS with EBD, six airbags, cornering lamps and ISOFIX seat mounts. It remains visually unchanged on the outside as it continues with niceties such as 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, smart door handles (manual), LED headlamps and tail-lamps, and sequential LED turn indicators.
Mahindra XUV700 AX7 Smart: why is it being introduced?
The semiconductor shortage has hugely impacted production and driven up waiting periods to almost a year on many popular cars and SUVs. Top-spec variants of the XUV700 come with ADAS and several other electronic features that require a huge number of semiconductor chips. These top-spec variants of the XUV700 are also in highest demand, and with Mahindra raking up more than 70,000 bookings so far, the waiting period on these variants now extend up to 10 months in certain places.
The AX7 Smart trim is thus being launched to ease the demand on top-spec variants and ensure faster delivery of the vehicle as they will need fewer semiconductor chips.
Interestingly, as per our sources, initially, the AX7 Smart will only be made available to customers who have already booked the AX7 Luxury trim, and those who switch over to the new lower variant can expect a 2-3 month earlier delivery compared to the AX7 Luxury trim.
Also See:
2021 Mahindra XUV700 review, test drive
2021 Mahindra XUV700 video review