Following months of spy shots, endless speculation and official teasers, the Mahindra TUV 300 is officially set to hit the showrooms tomorrow. But before the grand arrival, here are some vital specification details of the much-awaited compact utility vehicle.
Engine
The TUV300 is powered by Mahindra’s mHawk 80 series 1.5-litre diesel engine. This is the same engine that also powers the Quanto, however, for the TUV300, Mahindra has detuned it to around 80bhp and 230Nm of torque. Interestingly, Mahindra may also opt for a petrol option for the TUV300 in future.
The 1.5-litre unit is already a strong performer in the Quanto and in the lighter TUV 300, it is expected to fare even better in terms of both performance and fuel efficiency. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the TUV 300 being labelled as one of the most fuel efficient utility vehicles in the country.
Chassis
Instead of making use of the old Quanto platform, Mahindra has gone ahead and used a shortened version of the Scorpio’s body-on-ladder frame. The brand may claim it’s an all-new platform but the truth is it’s not. That being said, Mahindra has put in a lot of effort to make it stiffer, stronger and lighter than the older Scorpio chassis and as a result, the benefits should be pretty apparent here in the TUV300.
Gearbox
In a bid to cater to a wide spectrum of buyers in the utility vehicle segment, Mahindra will be offering the TUV300 with either manual or automatic gearbox options. While the former will be a 5-speeder, the automatic will be a 5-speed AMT unit.
The addition of an AMT gearbox will not only make the drivability of the TUV300 considerably easier, but also attract a sizeable chunk of small car buyers looking for the convenience of an automatic gearbox. In all probability, this will be the same AMT option that featured in the Quanto show car at the 2014 Auto Expo.
Safety
In what can only be called as a commendable move, Mahindra will be offering all important safety features right from the entry-level version. While a driver’s side airbag and ABS could come in as optional extras in the entry-level model, the rest of the TUV300 range will feature dual airbags and ABS as standard.
Features
Taking cues from the bigger XUV500, the TUV300 will be generously equipped at least in top-spec form. So far, the car has been spotted on test with dual-tone interior, touchscreen infotainment system and a lot of chrome trimmings. Expect the top-spec version to come with electrically adjustable mirrors, alloy wheels, audio system with Bluetooth connectivity and rear parking sensors besides the usual set of amenities.
Stay tuned to CarWale as we bring you all the details from the official launch scheduled at 11am tomorrow. Meanwhile, browse through our exclusive photo gallery of the TUV300 by clicking here.