Mahindra XUV 500

After conducting an extensive research in the global markets, the Indian auto giant Mahindra & Mahindra came up with its fifth UV product being sturdiest and finest design ever, Mahindra XUV 500. Manufactured and assembled at Chakan and Nashik plant in Maharashtra, this Sports Utility Vehicle was launched in the Indian market in September 2011. It will be marketed in South Africa by 2013. Mahindra XUV 500 is the first Indian SUV to incorporate the monocoque chassis design, which means that its body and chassis are one piece as contrary to the conventional design which consists of frame covered with metal sheets. This design not only decreased the weight of the XUV 500, but also improved the safety during impact conditions. Ranging between 12 – 14.5 lakhs, the impressive exterior styling, advanced comfort features and carefully-calibrated hype has translated into 35000 XUV 500s sold within one year in India.

Mahindra XUV 500 has exteriors to die for. Its killing jungle cat-like looks has created an impact on the young generation and is definitely the talk among the Indian auto market. Mahindra has successfully resembled this machine like the Cheetah, which was the initial design plan. From the front, dominant upper-jaw shaped chrome plated front grille with honeycomb mesh endorsing the patented Mahindra logo, headlamp cluster with twin rounded headlamps with integrated side indicators and horizontally placed daytime running lights below the headlights, long trapezoidal shaped air dam with integrated recessed fog lamps at either ends and the sleek V-shaped ridge on the long bonnet, all add up to the looks of the pouncing Cheetah.

From the side, the bold and sharp lines expending from the headlamps to the tail lamps, streamlined roof rails, dominant front and rear wheel fenders, arc-shaped ridge above the rear wheel fender, outside rear view mirror with integrated turn indicator and parking light, five spoke 17-inch alloy wheels and paw shaped door handles aggravate to the Cheetah theme of the XUV. From the rear, large boot with curved ridges, stylish vertically arranged three sectioned tail lamps, roof mounted stop lamp, rear wiper on the rear window, stop warning indicators, twin exhausts and spare wheel placed at the bottom of the boot add up to the exteriors. Mahindra XUV 500 measures 4585 mm in length, 1890 mm in width and 1785 mm in height with a ground clearance of 200 mm.

When it comes to interiors, Mahindra XUV 500 has the best to offer in its segment. This seven seater SUV offers wide range of interior features which include dual tone dashboard having four stylish AC vents; long central console featuring 6-inch touchscreen with voice activated monochrome colored display, AC and audio controls; cruise controls and audio controls mounted on the four spoke athletic tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel; dual tone interiors with high quality fabric leather upholstery; automatic temperature control HVAC and illuminated door handles. Also incorporated are the wide range of comfort features like remote central locking, remote operated tail gate, mHawk engine to reduce noise and vibration, reading lamps and mobile charging points all inside the SUV, height adjustable lumbar supported front seats, spacious glove box, sunglass holder and tinted solar reflecting glass on front windshield.

The Mahindra XUV 500 is powered by a massive 2179cc mHawk engine which delivers an impressive max output of 140 bhp @ 3750 rpm and a max torque of 330Nm @ 1600-2800 rpm. This engine gets the fifth generation variable geometry turbocharger as well as direct injection technology which ensures that the vehicle gets an instantaneous acceleration, making the XUV jump from 0-60 km/hr in just 5.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 175km/hr. The transmission for this vehicle is a six-speed manual gearbox as of now, however an automatic version may come up on the international edition. And when it comes to mileage the vehicle inspite of giving all this power gives you an excellent efficiency of 15.1 kmpl as per ARAI.

Mahindra have not compromised even a bit when it comes to the safety of Mahindra XUV 500. The XUV underwent a thorough and stringent dynamic testing in Australia, South Africa, Sweden, China, USA and Europe. Some of the primary handling and safety features include monocoque design for spacious, safe and robust cabin, independent McPherson suspension for the front wheels and Multilink suspension for rear wheels, electronic stability program (ESP), hill hold and hill descent controls, rollover mitigation, anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic brake distribution (EBD). Other safety and security features include dual airbags for driver and front passenger, side and curtain airbags, tubeless tires, Intellipark system, digital immobilizer, NexTrac (electronically controlled torque management system), smart wipers automatically responsive to the rain and smart headlamps which turn on automatically in dark.

*The top variant (W8 4D) features DVD player, ORVM with turn indicators, alloy wheels, electric folding rear view mirror, leather seats, leather steering, front side airbag, seat belt warning, stability control system and engine check warning