Mahindra’s flagship SUV, the XUV500 crossover, which has also gone on to become a big seller, is currently available only with a diesel engine. The 2.2 Liter turbo diesel engine producing 140 Bhp-330 Nm is an uptuned version, and this engine is also used on the Scorpio SUV. This engine is currently mated to a six speed manual gearbox and transmits power and torque through front wheels and all wheels depending on the variant chosen by the buyer. Mahindra has big export plans for the XUV500 and for that, the automaker will have to introduce more variants of this crossover.
A petrol engine will be key for many export markets as diesel engines are still not well accepted in many parts of the world. Thus, a petrol engine is being currently developed by Mahindra and this engine is expected to be available over the next couple of years, primarily targeting export markets. Given that there is a huge price difference between petrol and diesel in India, this engine might not be offered in the Indian market if things stand as they are in coming years. However what could be offered in India too is an automatic transmission that is also being developed.
Mahindra also ready offers the Scorpio SUV with a six speed automatic gearbox and once an automatic gearbox option is developed for the XUV500, expect the crossover to be sold in automatic guise as well. Like the petrol engine, the automatic gearbox will be an important component in the overall scheme of things on the export front as many export markets in developed nations will demand an automatic gearbox. However, the automatic transmission for the XUV500 could still be two years away and the automaker is currently looking at two speed six automatic gearboxes.
2012 Mahindra XUV500 Crossover Rear
An Australian company called MSI and South Korean automaker Hyundai are currently the two suppliers Mahindra is looking at for sourcing the six speed automatic transmission. From tomorrow, Mahindra will begin accepting bookings for the XUV500 across India, which thus far was limited only to 19 Indian cities. Mahindra has also bumped up production of the XUV500 at the Chakan factory, to about 4,000 units a months to meet the big demand. This number will be further pushed to 5,000 units by the end of this year, a time when Mahindra will also begin exporting the XUV500 to many countries across the world.
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