Beast in a small package

 

Exterior Mahindra has a made a point by maintaining the JEEP heritage look, for those like me who fell in love with what was made by GM for Vietnam and later for the second WW, its beauty cannot be described in words.  Its unmistaken simple lines which shout "functionality" every which way you look at it makes you feel like a REAL MAN ready to take on any difficulty that comes your way, both physically and mentally. Just looking at it standing makes your heart jump. The suspension has been raised significantly from the old MM540 and so it takes on a more bullish stanz. Proportions are just perfect, everything about the exterior of this jeep is eye pleasing. I would have left out the large Mahindra logo below the windshild. There is no one else in the world that makes these jeeps (other than wrangler GM) and Mahindra really need not shout out so loud in India with this logo. The front Mosquito mesh is not a standard fitment and must be ordered to complete the look. A couple of hellas, a winch and a shovel on the side would complete the look. I really need not talk about the borg warner trasfer case, the name itself explains the quality and function. The gear box is mated perfectly with the engine. The shift is very smooth. I would have asked for the gear lever to be a little higher for easier accessibility.

 

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) The bucket seats along with the front independent suspension make it a pleasure to drive around town, other than the off center steering wheel, the ride is very comfortable. There is ample space inside the cabin and I would not mind taking this to office everyday. I would have loved to have a factory fitted ac option with the rear cabin better insulated on top and the sides like the one on top in the drivers cabin. It would mean no need for the hard top. The plastics are tacky and mahindra could have used something from the scorpio or the xylo bin to make the dash a little more better looking and functions. There are NO features other than the heater inside. But hey, these are improvements, the raw look is also great. no complaints. 

 

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Absolutely superb, with 105 horses, it is one of the fastest jeeps you will find on indian roads. The CRDe engine is very silent and the torque is just fantastic. The borg warner transfer case is very smooth to shift on the fly. My jeep is 15 days old and has only 1500 kms on it, it gives about 12 to 13 kms/litre on long drives. 

 

Ride Quality & Handling Once again a winner on road and off it. Drive it to experience the thrill. I have taken it upto 120 kmph and the engine keeps wanting more. It would have been great to have an electic PS to make the steering a little tight and steady on high speeds but hey, the jeep is not meant for that right?.....so thanks mahindra anyway for the hydraulic PS. ABS and electic PS should make you feel safe I think. 

 

Final Words Mahindra has done a fantastic job with this Jeep. It has made both; the tarmac to the office and the mud and stones to the road less travelled a pleasure to drive on. Although some safety features could be added for the price you pay, I would not complaint and live and enjoy what I have in my hands. for 6.7 lakhs on road in Goa for a jeep enthusiast is a gift. It is a "GREAT" thing in a small package. 

 

Areas of improvement Better insulation in the rear under the soft top, ABS, electric PS, Airbags if possible, centered steering, improved dash plastics, Noise reduction pads under the bonnet, cleaner fitted and finished carpets in the interior (edges unfinished and odd fitting), higher gear lever, AC in the cabin A MUST. 

 

PS, 105 hp, diff lock, on the fly 4wd shift, Front Independent shocks, comfy bucket seats,No ABS, no Alloys on top model, tacky & flimsy plastic interiors, steering off center, No AC,