For a few months now Mahindra has been rigorously researching India’s next-gen XUV500 SUV. The firm is gearing up to bring this new Crossover to our market sometime early next year. Most likely by March 2021, rather than a mid-2020 launch as previously reported. For now, the current-gen XUV500 will chug along and soon be getting a BS6-compliant engine.
This trend was verified recently at an earnings call by Dr. Pawan Goenka, MD & CEO, Mahindra & Mahindra.
Looks And Features:
The new XUV500 supposed to sport similar body panels and interior parts as shown at Auto Expo 2020 with the Mahindra Funster convertible SUV concept. So, the upcoming Crossover will have a more compact look with a straight profile, flatter door panels. A hood that will fit in with the silhouette of the SUV which will be unmistakably XUV500.
The Mahindra family grille and slightly smaller headlamps will be key elements in the styling. It will also come with the trademark of Mahindra’s vertically mounted daytime running lamps that first debuted on the XUV300. Expect that LED headlamps and daytime running lamps on the higher models are offered as standard.
As we reported earlier. The second-gen model will also sport flush-fitting door handles instead of the iconic’ cheetah claw ‘ handles from the first XUV500. It not known if they will have the same power-operated, pop-out feature as seen on older Teslas and the newest Range Rovers. Whether it will be a lever-type arrangement as seen on models from Aston Martin.
In either case, flush-fitting door handles in the price range of the XUV500 would be exclusive for SUVs. Beyond improving the appearance of the sedan. These handles expected to help enhance the aerodynamics of the cars. But it remains to be seen to what degree it will benefit the next-gen XUV500.
The new XUV500 dashboard on the inside will also be identical to the one seen on the Funster model. The instrument cluster will be a full-digital display, in the higher models at least, and next to it will be placed a second large screen for infotainment duties. Like the new SUV, it expects the second-gen XUV500 will come with a 3-row configuration.
