Mahindra launches the XUV500, starting @ Rs. 10.80 lakh

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), India's leading manufacturer of utility vehicles has launched its new global sport utility vehicle XUV500 at a starting price of Rs. 10.80 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). M&M will position the XUV500
between the Scorpio and the premium SUV range which comprises of the Toyota Fortuner, Chevrolet Captiva, Mitubishi Outlander, Honda CR-V and the likes.

M&M, a part of the US$ 12.5 billion Mahindra Group, unveiled the eagerly awaited Mahindra XUV500 at Pune in Maharashtra. Designed and developed in-house by Mahindra, the XUV500 is Mahindra’s first global SUV platform, with significant inputs in styling and development from customers across the globe. Available at Mahindra dealerships in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Bangalore and Chennai. The XUV500 price range starts at ex-showroom Delhi - Rs.10.80 lakh for the W6 model, Rs.11.95 lakh for the W8 2WD model and Rs.12.88 lakh for the W8 All Wheel Drive (AWD) model.

Speaking on the occasion, Anand Mahindra, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra Group said, “The launch of our first global SUV platform, the XUV500, is another proud moment in our automotive journey. For the Mahindra Group, the XUV500 represents ‘Rise’ in action as the team deployed alternative thinking to deliver a high level of technology and performance at an unbeatable price. I am confident that the XUV500 will create a brand new category in the premium SUV segment and find favour both in India and overseas.”

Dr. Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. while speaking at the launch mentioned, “The XUV500 is our first global SUV that has been completely designed and developed around the global customer, with extensive product validation and testing done across Europe, Australia, South Africa, and India. The Mahindra XUV500 offers benefits such as aspirational styling, a product filled with technological advances, advanced safety features, comfort and convenience, etc. hitherto seen only in hi-end SUVs.”

Poised to pounce
The new Mahindra XUV500 is unmatched in terms of style, performance, technology, safety and comfort, providing customers a truly complete driving experience. Bold and glorious lines that trace the world’s most agile animal in action, namely the cheetah, contribute to the elegant styling and visual impact - an intimidating jaw-like honeycomb grill, the unique paw styled vertical door handles and muscular wheel arches - all add to what seems to be the vehicle’s innate desire to pounce! Furthermore, the chiselled, aerodynamic body of the Mahindra XUV500 with static-bending projector headlamps and LED parking lamps, racing-inspired twin exhausts, integrated bumpers and stylish, light-weight alloy wheels all add to the SUV’s stature, making the XUV500 a striking presence on road.

A monocoque construct found only in the most modern SUVs around the world is the very essence of the XUV500 uncompromised driving dynamics. The result is an excellent power to weight ratio, unmatched handling and undiluted driving pleasure.

The XUV500 is available in 3 exciting variants & 7 attractive shades to suit a variety of tastes – be it masculine and powerful or contemporary and classy. These include Satin White, Tuscan Red, Opulent Purple, Amazon Green, Moondust Silver, Volcano Black and Dolphin Grey.

Physics-defying agility
The XUV500 is powered by a state-of-the-art 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine which delivers a power-packed 140 bhp with 330 Nm torque. The 2.2-litre engine is meshed with a 6-speed transmission and the 5th generation Variable Geometry Turbocharger which takes the XUV500 from 0-60 kmph in a mere 5.4 seconds. Despite all this unadulterated power, the XUV500 gives you up to 15.1 kms per litre (ARAI-certified). A high torque at low engine revs allows the vehicle to handle city traffic with ease, while the Dual Mass Flywheel ensures rattle-free driving pleasure. The advanced Micro Hybrid Technology helps conserve both fuel and nature.

In addition to all of the above, the Mahindra XUV500 also boasts of an All Wheel Drive (AWD) that lets the driver tackle even the toughest of roads with consummate ease. The Interactive Torque Management (ITM) system automatically redistributes the torque between the front and rear wheels to manoeuvre the XUV500 out of any discomfort. The seamless transition from 2WD to AWD without driver intervention gives XUV500 owners a level of handling prowess unmatched by conventional vehicles.

The XUV500 sporty suspension also affords drivers a lot of room for fun. In fact, the XUV500 boasts a suspension system of McPherson struts up front and the independent multi-link suspension in the rear.

Generation next technology integrated today
To create the next generation of SUVs, you have to advance past the status quo. Probably why the XUV500 lets you discover features that most other cars have yet to. A first-in-class, 6-inch LCD touchscreen on the dash begs for your attention. It’s the headquarters of the highly sophisticated touch screen infotainment system with DVD player, CD/MP3, FM, Bluesense technology, full i-pod connectivity and 6 speakers. The impressive speakers with built-in tweeters recreate the experience of an original studio recording for all audiophiles, reminding the passengers of a high-end home theatre surround sound set-up.
The XUV500 boasts of a fully loaded GPS navigation system, which covers over 1.5 million kilometres of road across 1,200 cities with a turn-by-turn voice guidance system in not less than eight regional languages. The system also gives the driver access to over 5 million touch points of interest including restaurants, ATMs, fuel pumps and movie theatres.

A full-fledged, integrated Driver Information System diligently reports to you with all the vital information about the car. It tells you how far the existing amount of fuel can take you. It monitors the air pressure and temperature of each tyre. It even controls the cabin temperature for you.

The intellipark reverse park assist system has a visual prompt on the LCD screen which shows you the distance between the rear bumper and any object behind your vehicle.

The XUV500 steering wheel features Voice Commands, Cruise and Audio Controls for your convenience and safety. You can control the infotainment system without taking your hands off the steering wheel through Voice Commands.

Steering-mounted controls also allow you to control your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone through the infotainment system in the XUV500 using Blue Sense technology. This allows you to access your phonebook, as well as make and receive calls.

Cruise Control makes driving stress and fatigue-free, especially on long highway drives. It maintains the speed of the XUV500 at a preset level using the steering wheel controls, and also allows you to make small changes to the speed without having to use the accelerator.

For more intelligent features, there are Smart Rain and Light sensors in the XUV500, which activate the wipers and headlamps automatically whenever external conditions demand.

One part sanctuary, One part fortress
Few vehicles are as fortified as the XUV500. And at the heart of this defense is the Electronic Stability Program (ESP). The ESP constantly monitors the movement and direction of the car. When it detects loss of control, brakes are automatically applied and torque to the relevant wheel is reduced till vehicle stability is restored.

Rollover Mitigation in the XUV500 closely monitors a range of parameters and identifies potentially dangerous driving conditions that could lead to the vehicle rolling over. Well before the situation becomes threatening, it causes the ESP system to intervene and control the vehicle speed, thereby restoring stability.
The XUV500 is well equipped to keep you out of harm’s way. 6 airbags (front, side and curtain airbags) cocoon you. As if that wasn’t enough, the vehicle’s body also comes with side impact beams and thoughtfully located crumple zones.

ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) reduces braking distance substantially and enhances the safety of the driver and passengers. The Hydraulic Brake Assist system applies maximum braking force in the shortest possible time during emergency braking, thus aiding you in bringing the vehicle to a standstill quicker.

Hill Descent Control identifies steep inclines and engages itself to assist the vehicle down the slope with caution while Hill Hold Control prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting from standstill on an incline.

A true driver’s delight as well
A high calibre, twin-pod instrument cluster with seriously sporty 3D designs and an exquisite waterfall style central bezel combine to give you the feel of a highly evolved piece of machinery. The driver's seat is ergonomically designed with 8 different adjustments including height and complete lumbar support adjust.
Independent AC vents with fully automatic climate control double HVAC cools all corners of this spacious SUV with individual controls for each passenger. The car’s stylish exterior is aptly complemented by the elegantly crafted two tone pure leather interiors, replete with intuitively placed storage units, which include a cool box and an inbuilt laptop holder.

The steering wheel of the XUV500 has been designed with an enhanced capacity to control various features. Its tilt and telescopic adjustment allows personalisation to suit your needs.

Individual reading lamps for each passenger and conveniently placed laptop and mobile charging points in each seating row, together with the concealed lounge lighting, add to the sheer exclusivity that is the Mahindra XUV500. Another useful feature is the ability of the last two rows of seating to completely fold away, transforming the XUV500 into the perfect vacation vehicle with tonnes of space.