Mahindra Updates Its XUV700’s Design

Following the success of the second-gen Thar, Mahindra is now trying to emulate the identical with the brand new XUV700. To that finish, Mahindra has packed the SUV with a number of package, given it a pair of sturdy petrol and diesel engines and whereas all costs are but to be revealed — Mahindra introduced costs for just a few 5-seater variants — it’s being positioned competitively with your complete mid-size SUV phase. So what’s it like?

The XUV700 follows the identical template because the outgoing XUV500 — a transverse engine format, monocoque physique and designed with three rows of seats. The platform although is brand-new with the corporate claiming it to be 80% stiffer than the XUV500’s.

Mahindra has additionally labored to scale back weight, utilizing fairly a little bit of light-weight high-tensile metal and different weight-saving measures similar to lighter engines, which weigh round 70 kilograms lower than earlier than. Interestingly, the rear tailgate is fabricated from composite plastic that can be geared toward weight discount. However, this might pose a sensible drawback as a result of, in contrast to sheet steel, which will be simply repaired if broken in an accident, the tailgate could must be changed.

Like with the XUV500, the platform is configured for front-wheel and all-wheel drive choices. Although this time spherical, it’s designed to accommodate a 48V mild-hybrid system as effectively, which may come sooner or later.

The new platform additionally makes use of the latest-generation electrical and electronics (E/E) structure, enabling it to host a sophisticated infotainment system (from Visteon) and a set of superior driver help methods (ADAS). Mahindra is clearly decided to ‘out-tech’ the competitors.

The XUV700’s styling is a mature evolution of the XUV500, with cleaner traces and a extra balanced look. It sits 30mm decrease than its predecessor, comes with a muscular bonnet, and a robust new grille with twin vertical bars, which provides it a number of street presence. Also sitting proudly within the centre of the grille is Mahindra’s new ‘Twin Peaks’ emblem, which apparently will solely adorn the automaker’s SUV vary. Some design parts although lack consistency and cohesiveness such because the arrow-shape tail-lights which, whereas placing, really feel like they belong to a different automobile. Other fussy parts embrace the disproportionately lengthy Daytime Running Lamps and the extreme sculpting of the wheel arches that dwarf the 18-inch wheels. However, the design, although not as refined because the competitors, has the required particulars for these on the lookout for some flash.

The inside design is extra easy and taking centre stage is a show panel, with twin 10.25-inch screens for the touchscreen and instrumentation, that stretches throughout half the dashboard. It seems to be very premium and can be provided on all variations besides the bottom, which can get a smaller 8.0-inch infotainment unit and a 7.0-inch instrument cluster.

The dashboard plastics are fairly good and the leather-based strip seems to be fairly premium, although the piano black shiny end feels cheesy and the wooden end on the door pads seems to be low cost and synthetic. Overall, the match, end and materials high quality, although fairly good, has some tough edges.

Mahindra has mercifully retained buttons and dials for HVAC controls, and whereas the cluster is a carry-forward from the five hundred, it’s nonetheless welcome. The rotary controller on the centre console means you don’t have to make use of the display for every little thing and there may be additionally a neat-looking financial institution of toggle-like switches for some key features. An actual intelligent contact are the 2 cabinets within the central console for 2 telephones, one in all which is a wi-fi charger.

The steering wheel feels good to carry and the buttons, although not slick to function, give entry to a number of features. The instrument panel has cheerful color schemes and maybe extra sober graphics and fonts would been so as, however the data is extremely wealthy and there are customisable choices for each screens.

The XUV700 debuts Mahindra’s new AdrenoX infomatics system, which might be essentially the most superior and feature-packed infotainment methods in not simply its class, but additionally a number of courses increased. It is full of options and choices, together with built-in native apps similar to JustDial and Zomato. However, the segregation and layering of the menu wants a number of work and it’s not actually intuitive and simple to search out the place issues are. You find yourself toggling and fumbling with the menu and sub-menus, and the IP menu doesn’t convey you again to the earlier operate after you have got finished with some changes. The central screens system although continues to be in beta stage, so we are going to reserve touch upon how slick it’s and the way effectively it features.

The XUV700 additionally indicators Mahindra’s entry into the premium sound area, with an excellent Sony 3D audio system that makes use of a 13-channel amplifier powering one subwoofer and 12 audio system: together with 4 within the roof. The SUV additionally will get Alexa built-in into the linked automobile expertise together with an embedded Alexa voice assistant.

Other fascinating bits embrace a powered driver seat with door-mounted switches (impressed by Mercedes), twin zone local weather management with an air-purifier system, and connectivity choices with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The seats are massive and beneficiant, particularly up entrance, and cushioning, although a contact on the agency aspect, affords good all-round assist. The XUV700 is available in 5- and 7-seat configurations, however it’s the three-row model we have been testing. While the legroom within the center row will not be as beneficiant because the Hector or Safari, there may be ample area for even tall passengers. Despite the 50mm longer wheelbase, third-row room just isn’t that a lot, and headroom too may be very restricted. There are, nevertheless, devoted AC vents and the glass space is sort of massive.

Ergonomics have been a little bit of a hit or miss for Mahindra. While the XUV700 has addressed most factors, there are just a few points. The gear lever, rotary controller and energy window switches really feel a bit too rear-set and whereas the third row does recline, the lever is positioned behind the seat that means it’s important to twist round and attain over to drag the deal with.

The petrol and diesel engines on provide get each, the 6-speed handbook and automated gearbox choices. While the XUV500’s 155hp diesel carries on solely within the base model, increased variants get a extra highly effective model of the 185hp, 2.2-litre mHawk unit, that makes it essentially the most highly effective SUV in its class.

The firecracker on this phase, nevertheless, is the brand new petrol engine – Mahindra’s 200hp, 2.0-litre ‘mStallion’ turbo-petrol — once more laying declare to the title of being essentially the most highly effective within the phase.

Not surprisingly then, driving the XUV700 is an absolute delight. Mahindra concentrated a lot of the assessment drive to its large new check facility, with solely a brief sprint from Mahindra Research Valley to the check centre. We would have preferred to drive extra in the true world, however the high-speed observe actually allow us to expertise the sturdy efficiency from the engines.

The petrol and diesel engines get the identical 6-speed handbook and 6-speed auto choices, however it’s the 200hp petrol that’s fairly the firecracker. Put your foot down and the XUV700 lunges ahead with energy coming in thick and quick from as little as 1,400rpm. The engine revs to a excessive 5,800rpm, thus permitting you to actually wring out all that the engine has. What is sweet is that the turbo-petrol unit has a pleasant and robust torquey, diesel-like character on the decrease finish too. Acceleration is brisk with our preliminary exams recording a 9.32 sec 0-100kph time within the automated — very spectacular for a close to 2 tonne SUV. Keep your foot down and there’s no let-up in acceleration, and on Mahindra’s check observe it was fairly straightforward to hit upwards of 190kph.

However, neither the auto nor the handbook are what you’ll name fast shifters: the handbook just isn’t tremendous slick, and the auto has a discernible pause between shifts. That being mentioned, that is solely when you find yourself flat out dashing it. Everyday driving and even barely spirited runs are simply advantageous. What can be good is that regardless of the excessive torque, each handbook bins have a lightweight clutch, although the engagement may have been extra progressive.

The auto field’s shift logic can be effectively sorted. While we had restricted time in real-world visitors, it by no means felt prefer it was within the fallacious gear and at no level did I try to attain for the (lacking) paddles for handbook intervention. Refinement inside the cabin is expectedly vibration free.

The gearing on the petrol-manual is a bit on the tall aspect, which is nice for cruising. Overall refinement of the petrol is simply very good. For these wanting a easy and easy drive, you simply can’t have it higher than the XUV700 for the cash.

The 2.2-litre diesel too is fantastically refined, and whereas the engine word is audible at increased engine speeds, it’s not actually harsh or intrusive. Unlike the petrol, the diesel will get three drive modes — cheekily referred to as Zip, Zap, Zoom, which alter engine and steering settings. In Zip, energy is lowered to 155hp and this mode is supposed for relaxed driving, while Zap and Zoom get the total 185hp. The solely distinction between the 2 is a sharper throttle response in Zoom.

Performance is one thing the diesel XUV700 has no scarcity of. There is a little bit of a turbo lag, however that is solely in relation to the sturdy efficiency that is available in on the 1,400rpm mark, which from then on stays sturdy and linear until about 4,000rpm. On the entire, its efficiency is clearly a robust level, and we registered a 0-100kph time of 10.34sec within the auto.

Drivability is nice too and there may be ample torque, making the engine tractable, and the handbook can simply choose up tempo cleanly from as little as 1,200rpm in sixth. Work the field correctly although and you may be rewarded with a spirited drive. The gear ratios are effectively spaced however appear a tad shorter geared, extra for efficiency somewhat than effectivity, which ought to work out simply advantageous because the diesel engine is inherently environment friendly.

The greatest space of enchancment over the XUV500 is the dynamics. Gone is the jittery trip, the torque steer and the sloppy dealing with, which is changed by a sure-footed composure and simple and predictable dealing with. The key to the XUV700’s remodeled trip and dealing with is the suspension system.

The XUV700 makes use of frequency selective dampers, just like the Jeep Compass, the place two parallel oil movement paths are tuned to ship a unique and optimum damping price for each, excessive and low frequency ranges. The rear linkages additionally embrace an extra management blade hyperlink to higher outline particular person wheel motion and all of it works effectively.

Road grip is nice and cornering is sort of sharp. The energy steering additionally has simply the correct quantity of really feel; it’s gentle sufficient at low speeds however feels safe and secure at increased speeds. Out on the freeway, you may as well maintain your velocity over barely damaged surfaces with an excellent diploma of confidence. Speaking of confidence, on the high-speed observe, the XUV700 felt fairly composed at excessive triple-digit speeds.

If something, the XUV700, which nonetheless has a excessive centre of gravity, feels a bit prime heavy and rolls a bit when pushed onerous. Also, the trip just isn’t fairly as settled as some rivals.

The firm has additionally invested quite a bit into energetic security, and in what is exclusive within the phase, the XUV700 has a really complete ADAS package deal.

The system makes use of each, digital camera and radar, which when linked to Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Autonomous Emergency Brakes (AEB) work very effectively; we simulated this on the check observe. Also spectacular is the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which allows you to safely observe a automobile forward, and the Smart Pilot Assist or visitors help (AT solely), which might handle stop-start crawls too. The tuning is spot on and adjustments in tempo are fairly easy and pure. The solely side that wants fine-tuning is the Lane Keep Assist, which works effectively in corners however doesn’t maintain the automobile centred on straights.

Other energetic security options are driver drowsiness detection, auto excessive beam help and booster headlights that improve illumination above 80kph; Mahindra says the lumens and unfold don’t exceed the permissible restrict. ABS and ESP spherical off the energetic security bits, whereas seven airbags, together with a knee airbag, convey up the passive options.

It is unimaginable to disregard costs for the XUV700 and whereas Mahindra has solely launched particulars for 4 of the decrease trim, 5-seater handbook vehicles, the pricing has rocked the market. At ₹11.99 lakh for the MX petrol-manual, the entry XUV700 is priced like a sub-four-metre SUV, and at ₹14.99, the mid-level AX petrol-manual continues to be good worth.

Mahindra will even have on provide just about each powertrain mixture and many extra variants too, so it’s clear then that the corporate is throwing every little thing it might probably into the XUV700. This is the mannequin with which Mahindra is plotting its fightback, after the specialist SUV maker misplaced floor to Tata Motors, Hyundai and even new entrants like Kia. In that sense, the XUV700 is available in on the proper time.

Variants and costs apart, the XUV700 nonetheless comes throughout as a really compelling package deal. Yes, there are some low cost bits inside, it does miss some options like cooled seats and the infotainment system may have been extra logically designed. However, these niggles are insignificant within the gentle of its strengths. The good engines simply blow the competitors away, it’s straightforward to drive and stay with, and if that’s not sufficient to wow, the unbelievable options listing and tech actually will. The XUV700 is best-in-class in so many areas, and whenever you issue within the knockout costs, it’s clear that Mahindra isn’t just right here to play, it has come for the kill. The competitors had higher run for canopy.