Mahindra To Launch XUV500 Petrol And Two Other Vehicles

Mahindra has confirmed the launch of the XUV500 petrol and the Scorpio, during the next fiscal year.

By Rajkamal

Updated: Tuesday, February 21, 2017, 10:05 [IST]

New vehicle buyers are slowly drifting away from diesel vehicles and to retain the top SUV maker crown, Mahindra is planning to launch a petrol version of the XUV500 and the popular Scorpio.

Mahindra To Launch XUV500 Petrol And Two Other Vehicles

Mahindra has plans to launch the petrol version of the XUV during the first quarter of next fiscal (2018), along with the Scorpio. Another SUV, codenamed ‘S201', based on the SsangYong Tivoli platform will be launched during the second half of FY 2019.

Currently, Mahindra offers the XUV500 with a choice of two diesel engines — 2.2-litre and 1.99-litre, priced in the range of Rs 12.47 lakh to Rs 17.57 lakh ex-showroom (Delhi).

Mahindra said, "Depending on the response to this product (XUV500 petrol), the company would launch gasoline version of Scorpio."

Diesel vehicles, especially the ones with displacement above 2.0-litre are seeing a decline in demand due to pollution concerns, which is one prime reason the manufacturer downsized the XUV's engine, along with the Scorpio's after the diesel vehicle ban in Delhi.

Also, industry estimates show that high-end diesel SUVs are seeing a decline in sales, although diesel is the engine option chosen for SUVs traditionally.