Mahindra Quanto facelift with XUV500 styled DRLs spied; Scorpio AT alongside

It is quite a known fact by now that Mahindra is working on updating the Quanto and introducing the Scorpio with an automatic gearbox. The test mules of both these vehicles were spied testing recently on the Mumbai-Pune highway.

The camouflage masks the changes, but our sources confirmed that the facelifted Quanto will get a new grille, redesigned headlights and new front and rear bumpers to give the vehicle an SUV-like look. Though it remains for an aesthetic appeal, the Quanto facelift gets a hood scoop to bring it in line with models like the Scorpio. The latest addition to the car is the XUV 500 styled DRLs. They are placed above the headlight in this refreshed Quanto unlike the XUV 500, which gets them below the headlamps.

There are not many changes in the cabin and this test mule had the five speed manual gearbox only. However, the new Quanto is also expected to get an automated manual transmission (AMT) from the Quanto AMT autoSHIFT that was showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo. The Quanto facelift will continue to be powered by the 1.5-litre three-cylinder twin-scroll turbo diesel mill that produces 100bhp of power and 240Nm of torque. The Quanto AMT showcased at the Auto Expo also came with regenerative braking and we can expect this to be added to this facelift as well.

Coming to the Scorpio's test mule, aesthetically, it is the same model that was launched last year and gets all the updates. The latest addition is the automatic gearbox to its current line-up. This automatic variant should further increase the demand of the Scorpio as its immediate competitor, the Tata Safari Storme, does not get an automatic transmission.

Mahindra is currently working on facelifts of some of its models. The first one that might be launched soon is the sub-four-metre Quanto. We can expect it to be launched in the second half of the year, featuring cosmetic changes and new variants. The Scorpio automatic might be also launched at the same time.