The Pandemic has wreaked havoc and uncertainty across the country. The Auto Industry, with the Four Wheelers being a discretionary purchase, too has been not left untouched.
The disturbance, due to an economic downturn, restrictions and lockdown effect on logistics, job losses, and salary cuts Work from Home norms, and the shortage of semi-conductors have all, singularly and combined, caused severe stress.
However, one segment, that continues to grow and register minimal effect, due to the pandemic, has been the MPV and SUV segment.
Most of the Auto Majors remain positive on this segment and have planned a slew of launches for FY 2021-22.
We share the details as under :
NEW MAHINDRA XUV 500
After a lot of speculation, it has been confirmed that the new XUV 500 will be available for retail in India sometime around July 2021.
It will be priced Rs.12 L Ex SR Delhi.
This was suggested by Mr.Veejay Nakra, CEO of- Auto Division, Mahindra & Mahindra during his interview with media persons covering the Auto Industry.
The New XUV 500 will be powered by the 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine, which powers the new Thar too. The max power will be 190 bhp. There will also be a Diesel option of a 2.2-liter engine. that will offer max power of 180 bhp.
The new model will be based on the new front-wheel-drive monocoque platform and have ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) for active driver assistance feature. The ADAS will provide features including Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and Park Assist.
The New XUV 500 7 seater would be featuring a lot of changes compared to the current model. The additional features would include an advanced look like a revised grille, new door handles. The cabin too would get plushier and larger. Dual-tone paint and glossy finish center console will add to the visual appeal. It would also have a big dual-screen setup and rotary drive mode selector, front center armrest, the third row would have adjustable headrests and cup holders, etc.
NEW MAHINDRA XUV 700
This new SUV will be the successor to the popular XUV 500, currently in production. It will be priced Rs.13L Ex SR Delhi.
The new model is expected to be launched by October 2021.
The new model, although having some resemblance to the original XUV500 – proportions, distinct shoulder line, and green silhouette, will have updated design elements including a new more upright grille, C-shaped headlights with unique LED DRLs, newer design tail-lights, alloy wheel designs as well as restyled bonnets, bumpers and tailgate. The door handles too get a modern look and sport flush-mounted levers.
With dual-screen layout: for infotainment and instrument cluster (similar to what is seen in some Mercedes Models), Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, Automatic Climate Control, Electronic Parking Brake, Hill Hold for the Automatic Variant, Panoramic Sun Roof, the SUV will be visually and feature-wise very appealing compared to its rivals.
It will also have a facility of 6 seat layout (captain seats in middle row) or a 7 seat bench-style seat layout (in the middle row).
Level 2 ADAS will be segment-first and have features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.
There will be 2 Engine Options: 2.2 liters 4 cylinders mHawk Diesel that will produce 185hp and 2 liters 4 cylinder falcon turbo-petrol engine. The transmission options include the 6-speed manual and the 6-speed Aisin-derived torque-converter automatic gearbox.
Interestingly, it is gathered that Mahindra will discontinue the XUV500 when the new XUV 700 is launched. Will this mean that the XUV500 moniker will be used on the 5-seater XUV700?
The rivals for the XUV700 will be the hugely popular MG HECTOR PLUS, the very well-received new TATA SAFARI, and the promising and upcoming Hyundai Alcazar.
Mahindra Scorpio
The long-awaited new – Gen Mahindra Scorpio is expected to be launched by mid-2021, possibly June-July.It will be priced Rs.12 L Ex SR Delhi.
The new Scorpio will be based on the modified ladder-on-frame chassis, like the new Thar.
It will be bigger, with more cabin space.
The engine will be a new 2.2L turbocharged diesel engine, that will generate a max power of 158 bhp. There will also be an option of the 2-liter turbocharged petrol engine, that powers the Thar too.
The transmission: 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter.
KIA KY MPV
Kia Motors is launching a new mid-sized MPV to take on its rivals the Mahindra Marazzo and the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga.
The model is expected to be launched in January 2022.
Priced Rs.12 L Ex SR Delhi.
The model has been codenamed the KiaKY and will be based on the Seltos platform.
It will be a 7 seater and will have 2 engine options: a 1.5L petrol version that delivers a max power of 113bhp and a 1.5L turbocharged diesel engine, delivering 113bhp max power.
Hyundai Creta 7-Seater
Hyundai will be launching the Creta 7-seater, named Alcazar. The expected price is Rs.13 lakh Ex SR Delhi.
The model was to be launched in May 2021 but could be delayed due to pandemic restrictions.
The model will have a longer wheelbase, so as to accommodate the third row of seats. It will be powered by a 1.4l turbocharged petrol engine and the other option is a 1.5l turbocharged diesel engine. The transmission options will be manual and automatic.
It will have as its rivals: the MG Hector Plus, Tata Safari, and the new Mahindra Scorpio.
Hyundai 7 seater MPV
The new Hyundai 7 Seater MPV will be similar to the Kia MPV.
It will also be a 7 seater. It will be designed on the same Creta platform and have flexible seating options. The engine will be the same as that of the successful Creta ie a 1.5L petrol (max power 113 bhp), 1.5L turbo diesel engine (max power 113 bhp), and a 1.4L turbo petrol(max power 138bhp)
JEEP 7-SEATER SUV
The Italian Auto Major will introduce the Jeep 7 Seater SUV, which is based on the small-wide 4x4 platform. It flanks the Compass and the Renegade.
The model could be launched by Dec 2021. Its Price Rs.30L Ex SR Delhi.
It will be powered by a 2.0L MultiJet II Engine, the same as that of the Compass. The Compass Engine generates Max power of 173 bhp and a max torque of 350 Nm. The new SUV could be provided with a twin-turbocharged that will produce higher power close to 200bhp and higher torque 400Nm. The engine will be paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission.
The rivals for the Jeep SUV will be the hugely successful Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, and other models in that segment.
MG MPV
MG Motors is expected to launch a new MPV by the end of 2021 or Q1 of 2022. Price Rs.12l to Rs 18L Ex SR Delhi.
It could well be the MG360M, that was unveiled at the 2020 Auto Expo. Or it could be the G10 MPV. Information is not confirmed by the company.
However, there are more odds on the MG360M being launched. It would be competing against the Mahindra Marazzo and the upcoming MPVs from Hyundai and Kia Motors.
The MG360M is a long SUV, with a length of 4615mm, a width of 1735mm, and a height of 1660mm. It has a wheelbase of 2750mm.
When the second and third-row seats are folded, its luggage carrying capacity would be 1350 liters.
It is powered by a 1.5L petrol engine paired to a CVT automatic gearbox and produces a max power of 103 ps and 135 Nm
The Indian car market has more than 35% of its volumes still come from this segment. This is one segment where you must and should have your representation as an OEM. This is also the fastest-growing segment of the auto industry.
With a host of launches lined up here, certainly, FY 2021-22 seems to be an action-packed year for new car launches.
Disclaimer: Images shown above are derived, collated, and compiled sketches and may vary from the final products.