Mahindra Bolero Fuel Smart (Old)

There is one problem with the start/stop system of the Bolero. When the engine shuts down, so does the air-con compressor (only the blower stays on). Which means that on a hot day, if you catch a series of stoplights, or are stuck in traffic, the car goes from Bolero to pizza oven pretty quickly. Of course when this happens, you have the option of switching the start/stop system off completely; there is a switch to the right of the steering column to disable it.

When you disable the system, the micro-hybrid Bolero becomes a regular Bolero. The direct-injection turbo-diesel puts out a very modest 63bhp and a healthier 19.8kgm of torque from a super low 1500rpm. This means you get maximum torque almost as soon as you get off the clutch. This makes it quite peppy in traffic and very drivable too — the engine pulls cleanly from 1000rpm in third gear! It is surprisingly refined too. Yes, the diesel clatter is audible but it’s not as bad as the engine’s agricultural nature would lead you to believe.   

Out on the highway, the engine runs out of steam completely. At just 100kph, you are getting close to the outer edges of the Bolero’s performance envelope, which means overtaking maneuvers need serious planning. Flat out, the Bolero hits 100kph in a yawning 31.7 seconds and because of its limited engine output runs out of power well before it runs out of handling capability.

Following extensive fuel economy tests, we achieved a very impressive 11.4kpl which makes this the most fuel-efficient SUV we have tested. But how much of that is down to the start/stop system? Not as much as we expected. Firstly, in our back-to-back tests with a standard Bolero, there was no discernible difference and in some cycles the standard Bolero was marginally better!