Mahindra XUV500 Automatic Transmission Coming In 2015

Mahindra's flagship SUV, the XUV500 does not come in an automatic transmission variant and that's surprising considering the vehicle's popularity and more so because of its placement as a global product.

However, that's not missed Mahindra and the Indian automaker is said to considering introducing an automatic gearbox for the XUV500 in the near future.

According to a report, an upcoming SsangYong compact SUV will be provided with a 6 speed automatic transmission in January 2015 and the same transmission will make it into the XUV500.

"Yes, we are going to install a six-speed automatic, which is coming in January 2015 and Mahindra is also considering that same gearbox for the XUV500, so in terms of volume that is great for us and we can save some money," Y I Lee, President and CEO of Ssangyong Motor Company tells Autocar.

Automatic transmissions for Mahindra Scorpio used to come from Drivetrain Systems International (DSI), who also were the main suppliers for SsangYong. Ironically, it was SsangYong's bankruptcy that nearly shut down DSI before it was purchased by Chinese auto major Geely.

Since the completion of SsangYong's acquisition by Mahindra in 2011 this will be the first time the two brands will share a mechanical component.

Mahindra Quanto, the company's compact SUV, was showcased at the Auto Expo 2014 sporting an automatic manual transmission. The clutchless manual transmission will make it to other Mahindra passenger vehicles in the coming years, but would be restricted to models below the XUV500.