Metamorphosis

Even when it was launched at the end of 2008 few thought the Mahindra Xylo was a looker. Nearly four years on, it has a new face and an additional engine option

There are some things one simply cannot appreciate. Such was the case with the old Xylo's looks. We drove it across the length and breadth of the nation and had many wonderful things to say about the MUV. But none of those were about its looks.

Although it has taken Mahindra nearly four years to rectify this design oversight, mercifully for the Xylo, it now has a new front bumper and grille. The headlamps too have been slightly revised. And we are happy to say the overall effect is a lot easier on the eye than the last version of this otherwise lovely vehicle was. To be fair though the cladding on the front bumper does look a tad aftermarket. The rest of the car, save blacked out B-, C- and D-pillars, remains pretty much the same.

Inside however there are quite a few improvements. While the overall dash design remains unchanged, quality of plastics has improved and feels richer. The feature list too has gone up on this newly launched E9 variant. The steering now gets controls for the audio player and also for the cruise control system. There's also Bluetooth telephony and voice command technology. The switches too feel precise and offer positive clicks. Instrumentation remains the same. Safetywise the Xylo now gets twin airbags.

Moving on, the Xylo's leather seats, with individual armrests for the first and second rows, are supremely comfortable. Also, as before, the MUV gets AC vents and blower controls for all three rows of seats. But what's truly amazing is the space on offer in the final row, which in most other vehicles is best left for children of the family.

Mahindra has also given the Xylo a new engine option – the 2.2-litre mHawk common rail unit that also does duty under the bonnet of the Scorpio SUV. This engine though is available only in the top-of-the-line E9 trim. The unit churns out a maximum of 120bhp and a peak torque of 280Nm. Start her up and you can instantly feel the higher refinement of the powerplant over the mEagle engine that stays on in lower spec variants; the mHawk unit settles down almost immediately. The clutch too is lighter and the gearbox is slicker to operate too.

Dump the clutch and the Xylo lurches forward as its torquey engine ensures the speedo needle rises steadily and quickly. At 80kmph it impresses with its relative lack of noise and vibrations. All that torque also means pottering around in the city or overtaking on highways will only need the gentle prodding of the throttle pedal. As before, downshift requirements will be down to a minimum.

The steering unit too is much improved and doesn't feel vague like before. On the downside the steering is slightly on the heavier side, which will be an issue when manoeuvring in tight or crowded confines. On the handling front it continues to behave like a boat. To counter the effects of the MUV's tendency to pitch and roll about at speed, Mahindra has given it what it's calling Extra Stability Technology. And as before, its ride quality has remained above par as the Xylo pretty much absorbs everything in its paths, be it potholes, bumps or plain undulations.

The Xylo has gone through a makeover and it is all for the better, we say. There is an immediate sense of sophistication in the car now, something that was missing in the old car. Then of course there's the addition of the potent mHawk engine. Add to all this the wide range of equipment that has been its draw right from the start and the Xylo is very hard to ignore.

The Xylo has gone through a makeover and it is all for the better, we say. There is an immediate sense of sophistication in the car now, something that was missing in the old car. Then of course there's the addition of the potent mHawk engine. Add to all this the wide range of equipment that has been its draw right from the start and the Xylo is very hard to ignore.