Mahindra XUV700 (New SsangYong Rexton) Getting Ready?
Mahindra’s flagship SUV is expected to enter market by second half of 2018.
Mahindra is likely to equip its upcoming flagship SUV with fancy and premium features as in Rexton.
(Photo for representation – Mahindra XUV Aero Couple Concept)
At the Frankfurt Motor Show last week, Mahindra´s President of R&D and Global Product Development (Automotive Sector) Rajan Wadhera revealed that the next-generation SsangYong Rexton will be launched in India. “The costs are still a challenge, but we have decided to launch the Rexton as we believe there is a good opportunity for this product in the Indian market” he observed while speaking to Autocar India. Therefore, car is quite confirmed for the domestic market, but does it gonna sport the unpopular SsangYong badge on its nose yet again?
Also Read: Mahindra Strikes Right Chord As SsangYong Tivoli Is Big Hit In South Korea
It appears that the company is inclining towards the Mahindra badge for the Indian market, probably bringing the SUV under its XUV nameplate. This is not quite sure yet, but considering that the car is expected to be positioned in the full-size 7-seater SUV range (INR 20 Lakh-plus price) which naturally falls above the XUV500, the internet media likes to call the upcoming car as “XUV700“. The SsangYong brand did not take-off quite well in India, and it is unlikely that even the new Rexton may help overturn this scenario.
If that is going to be the case, Mahindra is likely to give the Rexton a XUV-ish makeover in sync with its sibling. It may push for local assembly of the car, but likely to import engine and body components from its Korean subsidiary itself. Therefore, localisation of components may remain minimal, but will still result in a competitive pricing as against its key rivals Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour.
As far as the car is concerned, the fourth-generation SsangYong Rexton made its global debut in April this year. It draws its styling cues and inspiration from the brand´s LIV-2 (Limitless Interface Vehicle) concept, with brawny looks and rugged appeal all over. The SUV measures 4.85 m long, 1.92 m wide, and 1.8 m tall, with a wheelbase of 2865 mm – almost 120 mm more than that of Fortuner assuring enhanced interior space. It comes loaded with fancy features like individual seats, a fully-connected central infotainment system 9.2-inch screen, 10.1-inch monitor in each headrests, etc. Safety features in the Rexton are nine airbags, advanced emergency braking system (AEBS), lane departure warning and change assist, blind spot detection, traffic safety assist and high beam assistance.
Also Read: SsangYong Rexton: Prettiness in King’s Town
In terms of powertrain options, a 2.2-litre (Euro 6) diesel engine is offered by SsangYong for the SUV, generating 181 PS power and 420 Nm of torque (309 lb-ft) between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm. A newly developed 2.0-liter GDi turbocharged petrol engine is also on the list, returning 225 PS and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque along with a 7-speed auto gearbox sourced from Mercedes-Benz. But this engine may not be offered in India.
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