The Mahindra KUV 100 has been finally launched in India today. The car features a heady concoction of an in-your-face style and an SUV stance that is fairly prominent in its make especially to automobile aficionados. The car follows in the truest of traditions of the Mahindra stable in being rough and tough. It is primarily a next generation sports utility vehicle (SUV) that is geared to satiate the skyrocketing lifestyles and ambitions of India’s youth – in fact, one look at the features will only confirm the same. The car will run on the mFalcon engine, one of the best of its kind in the world. It can run on both diesel using the mFalcon D75 engine and petrol using the mFalcon G80 engine.
The car will be available in four categories. The base variants of this car are K2 and K2+. The mid-level variants of this car are K4 and K4+, and the high-level variants are K6 and K6+. K8 is the high-end variant of Mahindra KUV100. All the cars have dual airbags. The engine being used for the car has been named after falcon that happens to be a hunting bird. This is a lightweight and compact engine that is sure to provide a level of performance that is both high and peppy.
The engines – petrol and diesel variants – are built in such a way that they can provide low-end and exceptional torque performance, the kind that is expected from a proper SUV and one that makes all rides an enjoyable experience. They have three cylinder motors of 1.2 litres each. mFalcon D75 is basically a turbo-charged common rail diesel engine (CRDe). It gives BS I emission. It is future emission protected as well. mFalcon G80 is an all aluminium MPFi petrol engine, gives out BS IV emission, and is future emission protected. Mahindra is normally known for its bigger diesel engines, but this car represents a shift in that particular paradigm.
The car will be available in seven colours – Fiery Orange, Flamboyant Red, Dazzling Silver, Aquamarine, Pearl White, Designer Grey, and Midnight Black. Following are some other specifications of the car:
- 1198 engine displacement (CC)
- 82(61)@5500 max power bhp(kW)@rpm
- 115@3500-3600 max torque Nm@rpm
As opposed to other conventional Mahindra SUVs such as TUV300, XUV100, and Scorpio, KUV100 has a more curvaceous look, complete with subtle lines. It is not taller than 4 metre in length, but experts say that it is an SUV in every sense of the term. This car also has the gear lever in a new position – at the centre console as opposed to the floor. This design trait is normally seen in utility vehicles of the West. It is quite rare in this part of the world.
The car is also equipped with a front bench seat which means that it can accommodate up to three people at a time and there are seat belts for all three. There has not been a car like that in India in ages. It also offers a whole lot of features such as ABS. One gets plenty of infotainment value with features like USB, Bluetooth connectivity, and AUX. It is also equipped with heating, air-conditioning, and ventilation facilities. Then, there are cooled glove boxes, the Micro Hybrid technology of Mahindra, and power/eco driving modes. Thanks to the Micro Hybrid technology it is possible to make the car perform with the same efficiency from start to finish. The car also has LED DRLs and a strong bonnet. It is further equipped with LED fog lamps along with underbody padding made of plastic.
It is expected that the basic petrol-based variants of the car will have an ex-showroom price of INR 4.5 lakh and the top of the line one, which uses diesel, will be priced at INR 6.76 lakh. This, as experts say, will put in the same league as top-class hatchbacks such as Honda Jazz, Hyundai Elite i20, and Maruti Suzuki Baleno.
Why is the car so awaited?
There are several reasons as to why Mahindra KUV100 is such an eagerly-anticipated car. According to the organization itself, this has been a highly-ambitious project right from its inception. It is expected that this car will make an indelible mark among people who are buying a car for the first time, thanks to its incredible features that are unlike any other in the Indian automobile firmament. Mahindra expects that this car will become quite popular just like its predecessors. It is also expected to elevate Mahindra’s position in the market.
Can it compete with Maruti Suzuki Ignis?
Maruti Suzuki Ignis, which is supposed to be launched in the second half of 2016, is expected by many experts to be the ideal competitor of Mahindra KUV100. Ignis is also attractively built much like KUV100 but is more of a crossover than an out-and-out SUV like the latter. Both the cars are expected to have progressive equipment and interiors. Their engine strengths and performances are almost on an equal footing in terms of performance and capability.
