Prototypes of the much awaited Mahindra SUV codenamed S201 has been spotted on the outskirts of Chennai many times last year. The carmaker has been working on a new SUV to meet the needs of the Indian consumers based on Tivoli. Thanks to the acquisition of Ssangyong, Mahindra will be bringing the Tivoli to India with Mahindra badging. The last spotted test mule was rolling with production-ready LED tail lamps, which could only mean that Mahindra is likely in the last leg of testing and development. Mahindra’s all-new SUV based on Tivoli’s X100 platform could be called XUV 300. Considering that Ssangyong Rexton was showcased at the 2018 auto expo with Mahindra badging we also expect it to join the XUV family.
“…S201 code-named product, which is the product that is based on the Tivoli platform. I have talked about that in the past that we have been developing a product on Tivoli, that will be launched in the second-half of 2018-19…” Mahindra’s Dr. Pawan Goenka said.
Codename S201
Appearance
Mahindra’s premium compact SUV codenamed S201 will be launched sometime this year to take on the likes of Brezza and Creta. Thanks to the heavy camouflage, all we could catch a glimpse of where the ‘L’ shaped LED tail lamps, projector headlamps with LED DRLs, rear windshield wipers, electric ORMVs with integrated turn indicators, dual tone paint and five-spoke alloy wheels.
Mahindra S201 will be available in two sizes – a sub-4 meter compact SUV and an extended body 7 seater. The bold S201 is expected to have Mahindra’s signature styling elements such as beefed-up bumpers, toothed grille and chrome accents with an aggressive face. The Suv is expected to stand tall than the Tivoli, however, it is too early to judge. The S201 is expected to flaunt an all-Italian design considering that Mahindra now owns Pininfarina.
Engine
G80 1.2L petrol engine is expected to power the Mahindra S201 but with a large turbocharger and direct fuel injection which will almost double the power up to around 140 BHP well ahead of rivals Nexon and Ford Dragon which is to launch later. The diesel S201, on the other hand, will be powered by a 1.5L four-cylinder engine which will also power the Innova-rival U321. However, the U321 is expected to have a bigger engine of which the power figures haven’t been disclosed. The 1.5 L diesel engine of the S201 would deliver as much as 125 BHP, way ahead of its rivals.
“The S201 will be powered by state-of-the-art petrol and diesel engines developed in-house, which will give us best-in-class performance,” said Rajan Wadhera, EVP, R&D and Global Product Development of M&M on the sidelines of the Frankfurt Motor Show. “I am pretty excited about the 1.2 petrol which will come with turbocharging and direct injection,” Financial Express quotes Rajan saying.
Technology
Mahindra will also offer some of the features from the XUV 500 like static bending lamps, TPMS, voice guidance and control on the S201. This SUV can be expected to roll out with a hoard of tech options such as automatic climate control, keyless entry and go, touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, GPS, reversing camera and sensors, automatic headlamps, automatic windshield wipers, cruise control, sunroof and electrically controllable and retractable ORVMs.
Price
The S201 codenamed SUV is likely to offer both automatic and manual transmission variants. They also come loaded with twin airbags, ABS and EBD as standard options. The sub-4 meter SUV is expected to be priced around 7 Lakhs with tax concessions and the 7 seater, a little over 9 Lakhs.
