Mahindra may launch a lower spec W4 variant for the XUV500 in a bid to increase sales of its flagship vehicle. The XUV500 since its launch in 2011 had been a big seller for the Indian SUV major and had been averaging between 3500 and 4500 units a month. However, for the first time in more than a year its sales dropped to 2253 units in April.
The W4 XUV500 is expected to have the same engine and underpinnings but will lose some of its features in a bid to reduce the cost of the vehicle. Among these features we expect that they will remove the automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, rain sensing wipers, steering mounted audio control and automatic projector headlights.
While a lower spec XUV500 will allow Mahindra to pit the SUV against the Renault Duster, there is also a chance that it may cannibalise the sales of the Scorpio, leading to a repeat of what the Quanto has done to the Xylo.
Source: Team-bhp