The New Mahindra KUV100 – Autoportal on the next generation SUV

The compact SUV segment is seeing high demand nowadays. A new car in this segment will roll out from Mahindra's Chakan plant at Pune on 15th of this month. M ahindra has a great name in the utility vehicles market and the new car is sure to add one more feather to its cap. It has already seen an impressive count of advance bookings. Here is a short review on this SUV by the Autoportal team.

Exterior

Mahindra has spent around Rs. 500 crore for the manufacture, designing and development of the KUV100, which has been in the making for the past four years in consultation with LG Engineering. The result is seen in the final product and the KUV100 looks very stunning. Built on a monocoque platform - the KUV100, unlike its siblings gets a curvy silhouette with a high shoulder line and sloping roofline. A two tone bumper, silver skid plate, slim headlights with LED DRLs, matt black plastic cladding and roof rails are other prominent features that lend a sporty look to the SUV. If you want to know more about the compact SUV, take a look at the spec-sheet and list of features at https://autoportal.com/newcars/mahindra/kuv100/

Interior

KUV100, although looking very compact from outside, gets a 2 row seating arrangement with each row having 3 seats. The neatly laid dashboard black dash looks attractive with shiny plastics and chrome accents. It houses the gearbox apart from a multi-function steering wheel and infotainment system with display. Interior comfort is assured by an air conditioner with heater, front arm rest, foldable rear seats, power windows, cooled glove box, sun glass holder, height adjustable driver seat, puddle lamps and many more.

Engine Performance

KUV100 is fortunate to be equipped with Mahindra’s new mFalcon engine, which is developed in-house in consultation with its Korean arm SsangYong and other Korean companies. The petrol mill is an mFalcon G80 that comes loaded with 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder, naturally aspirated motor that delivers 82 bhp power at 5500 rpm and gives away torque of 114 Nm at 3500 rpm. The other one is an mFalcon D75 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder, turbo diesel motor that pumps out 77 bhp power at 3750 rpm and 190 Nm torque between 1750 rpm and 2250 rpm. Both the petrol and diesel engines are mated to a 5 speed manual transmission. The company could have brought in an automatic variant as well, but that is promised for a future date.

Price and variants

KUV100 will be available in four variants - base model (K2, K2+), Medium model (K4, K4+), High (K6, K6+), and top model (K8) in dazzling colours of Flamboyant red, Dazzling silver, Aquamarine, Midnight black. Fiery orange, Pearl white and Designer grey. Priced at just Rs 4.5 lakhs for the base variant, it is going to be the most economical compact SUV in the country.