Mahindra developing a full-scale hybrid SUV

Mahindra & Mahindra is developing the world’s first hybrid technology that can be deployed in vehicles with manual transmission and will enhance fuel efficiency by almost 20 per cent.

This new hybrid SUV may make its first public appearance at the 2014 Auto Expo. Mahindra is one of the few Indian companies that is also focusing on green technology other than their petrol and diesel cars and currently has close to four lakh micro-hybrids on Indian roads. The company is now moving to the next level of sustainable green mobility by focusing on full-scale hybrids and has roped in technology partners that have the expertise.

The interesting bit here is that most of the hybrid vehicles are available with automatic transmission. These vehicles cost more and at the same time are less fuel efficient.  But Mahindra wants to develop a vehicle that will sport manual transmission that is compatible with the new hybrid technology. These full-scale hybrids are likely to be available as the top-end variants of SUVs like Scorpio and XUV500. Currently, the hybrid car segment in India is at a very nascent stage with only the Toyota Prius and the Camry hybrid being sold in India but this might change in future.

"We have signed up with Samsung SDI, which is the global leader in lithium ion batteries for development and supply of these batteries for our hybrid range of vehicles. We are perfecting the hybrid technology to deploy it in various platforms and vehicles across the Mahindra range," said Rajan Wadhera, chief executive, technology and product development, Mahindra.

Source: Economictimes