The 2nd gen XUV500 has been unveiled via images and it gets a sportier and more rugged look compared to the existing model.
Development And Lineup Positioning
It was earlier supposed to be the XUV400 or as codenamed, project S301 to directly take on the Hyundai Creta.
It was to be based on Ford’s B772 platform but the project was scrapped.
The XUV400 will now be the 5-seater XUV500 which is being designed at the Mahindra Automotive Design Europe Studio.
It will be positioned between the XUV300 and the upcoming XUV700.
Engineers are looking to design it with lower weight for cost reduction purposes.
Exterior Features
Compared to the existing model which will be discontinued temporarily, the next-gen XUV500 will be smaller in size measuring around 4.3 meters.
The current gen version’s figure stands at 4.6 meters.
It borrows design elements from the XUV300 including a dual-lamp headlight setup with inverted L shaped DRLs.
The front grille remains unchanged but the front bumper gets a new design.
The car gets new five-spoke dual-tone alloy wheels and functional roof rails.
As spotted on test drives, there are now flush handles instead of the previous cheetah claw design.
The roofline has lost some curviness and the window line which had a distinct curve around the C-pillar is now gone.
Presently the XUV500 is offered with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with a 155 hp power output and 360 Nm of peak torque.
Price, Launch And Competition
In order to comply with BS6 Phase II emission norms going into effect in 2023, the current version will be upgraded with a new BS6-compliant 2.0-litre diesel engine.
The consumer will have to pay the price for the changes which will also follow with the next-gen version.
Hence, prices will go up which currently range between Rs 12.31 lakh and Rs 18.62 lakh.
Upon arrival, in not before 2024, it will be rivaling fellow midsize SUVs such as the Hyundai Creta, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and Kia Seltos.
By the time it launches, it will also face competition from the upcoming Tata Gravitas and MG’s upcoming three-row SUV.
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