The 2016 Mahindra KUV100 has been revealed overnight and is expected to go on-sale early next year (2016), but there’s no word yet on whether we’ll see it Down Under.
MAHINDRA IS MOVING into the mainstream. And fast. It’s just purchased a controlling interest in Pininfarina and has revealed the first of its vehicles that doesn’t look like its been knocked up in a back shed from scrap metal. Although, the aggressive styling leaves you in no doubt this thing is still a Mahindra… it looks good.
The Mahindra KUV100, pronounced KUV ‘1 double Oh’ (and the K, wait for it, stands for kool) is the brand’s new compact SUV (of monocoque construction) aimed at first time car buyers and those who’d be considering tiny-tot SUVs like the Nissan Juke.
More than just good looks, the KUV100 also sees the debut of Mahindra’s new mFalcon range of petrol and diesel engines. “Named after a bird of prey, the mFALCON is a compact lightweight engine built to deliver peppy and high performance, much like its namesake,” or so the press guff says. The engines are a 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol, a 1.2-litre four-cylinder dual VVT petrol, and a 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Pawan Goenka, Executive Director at Mahindra said “We are all set to create a new segment with the launch of the KUV100 which also marks our foray into ground up petrol engines. An ambitious project from the very start, the KUV100, is all set to carve its niche amongst first time car buyers with its unique propositions. I am confident that the KUV100, like its predecessors, will become an extremely popular brand and will be cited for taking Mahindra to a whole new orbit”.
Beyond this, Mahindra is remaining tight-lipped about the KUV100. We’ve asked the local distributor whether we’ll see it Down Under, but thanks to Christmas, we’re not expecting an answer until the New Year. In the mean time, let us know what you think.
Wheels are too small. Will it have any sort of “AWD” capability? More interested to see when in 2016 will Mahindra actually release in Australia the new model of Mahindra Pickup 4×4 (with low range) Dual Cab and tray – very good machine.