Mahindra S101 spied. EDIT: KUV100 announced

[NikilSJ]

UPDATE: Mahindra KUV100 launched. Prices range from Rs. 4.42 lakh to Rs. 6.76 lakh.
Full updates on specifications and prices on Page 2 and Page 3

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After positive response to the TUV300 compact SUV, Mahindra is now attempting to tap into the hatchback segment dominated by Maruti and Hyundai with the S101 (just a codename for now). EDIT: The Mahindra S101 is now called the KUV100 (Kool Utility Vehicle One Double Oh). The new vehicle will be positioned below the Quanto and TUV300 and will take on the likes of Maruti’s crop of small hatchbacks, Renault’s brand-new Kwid and Hyundai’s i-family hatchbacks.

Mahindra S101 rendering courtesy mahindracarsinindia.com
Some websites and auto portals had earlier speculated that the KUV100 (S101) would be launched this festive season, but other reports indicate that the launch will happen only in early 2016. The S101 is likely to be priced below Rs 5 lakh. EDIT: The KUV100 will be launched on January 15, 2016.

Image courtesy: Indianautosblog

Pre-production variants of the KUV100 (S101) have been caught testing in various cities including Chennai, Nashik and Goa. Some of the spy shots indicate that the S101 will come with raised ground clearance like the Renault’s Kwid. The S101 will be based on a monocoque platform that may underpin some of the future Mahindra models as well.


Image courtesy: Motorbash.com

Image courtesy motobash.com

The S101 will be powered by an all-new 1.2 litre three cylinder petrol engine putting out 82 bhp. Reports indicate that this engine is being co-developed with Ssangyong. The diesel powertrain is also a new 1.2 litre three cylinder diesel putting out 77 bhp. Both engines will be mated to a 5-speed manual or AMT transmission.

The diesel variant will be powered by the mHawk80 three-cylinder engine. EDIT: The engine is an all-new mFalcon 1.2 litre three cylinder. See posts below for more.

Spy shots of the interiors reveal a well built and spacious interior. However, reports suggest that the S101 will have 3+3 seating configuration with bench-type seats in the front. The dashboard of the S101 comes with a piano black finish with three rotary knobs for functions like aircon, media volume controls and other functions. The S101 will also sport a touchscreen infotainment system as well. The S101 will come with dual-tone upholstery, a 3-spoke steering wheel and faux-wood inserts on the door panels.

Image courtesy: www.autocarindia.com

There are rumours that the S101 will be sold internationally badged as a Ssangyong. But these are yet to confirmed by Mahindra.

[NikilSJ]

Some more spy shots of the S101 have emerged online. The car's DRL profile is clearly visible in these shots courtesy AnythingOnWheels.com.

[Mr. Fox]

Wow, DRL's on a car that's likely to be priced between Rs. 4.5 lakh and Rs. 7 lakh. Mahindra really knows how to lay on the goodies. It would be interesting to see how it fares considering it will also come with a 1.2 litre petrol engine I hear. Engine choices - 1.2 litre petrol and 1.5 litre diesel. And it will apparently be called the KUV100 (K for Kompact or K for Kickass?)

[Jijo_Malayil]

Mahindra has finally confirmed that S101 will be named KUV100, in which 'K' stands for Kool. Okay! And we have pictures for you, dosen't it look nice?

The smallest offering from Mahindra's stable gains importance as it features the new series of mFalcon engines.

• mFalcon series features a 1.2 liter, 3-cylinder petrol engine (a first from Mahindra), the mFalcon G80 producing about 82 bhp @ 5500rpm and 114 Nm @ 3500-3600rpm. While the diesel which is also a 1.2 liter, 3-cylinder motor called the mFalcon D75, which churns out a maximum power of 77 bhp @ 3750 and 190 Nm @ 1750-2250 rpm.
• The mFalcon series will have six engines in total, with a 1.5 diesel & petrol and a 1.6 liter petrol and diesel which is co-developed with Ssangyong.

KUV100 will come mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, with a possibility of an AMT in the future. The KUV100 gets a monocoque chassis and stays under four-meter in length to avail excise duty benefits. The KUV100 will be available in 7 colours of Fiery Orange, Flamboyant Red, Dazzling Silver, Aquamarine, Pearl White, Designer Grey and Midnight Black.

The KUV100 will lauched on 15 January 2016. Expect prices to start at 4 lakhs for the base petrol variant and go up to about 7 lakhs for the top-end diesel. At this price point, it will give all compact hatchbacks and sedans a run for their money. Bookings are open from 19th of December 2015.

[Arjun]

It looks like a two door design changed to a four door as an after thought. Something like the Chevrolet Beat. The rear door handle placement is also similar to the Beat's.
This vehicle is creating a new segment which is filling the gap between the Kwid and compact SUVs. The wheels look small, and I feel they should have got bigger wheels if they want it to look like an SUV.
The main thing that gives this car the SUV look is the flat bonnet. There is some inspiration from the XUV500 when it comes to the headlamps and the front grill.
The glass area could also have been bigger in my opinion, as I feel that the present small windows may make the cabin feel congested.

[I Live For Speed]

Honestly this gap filling approach doesn't offer much utility.

They are turning car segmentation criterion from Utility based to appearances based. How is this even close to the 'SUV' title in the true sense, can this thing do anymore offroading than say an i20 or a Swift.

[Jijo_Malayil]

A little more road presence is always welcome, how the new engine series fare out in terms of refinement and drivability is what needs to be seen now.

[kaiserketkar]

I was worried that it would look too much like a hatchback, but I like what the designers have done in terms of appearance. It does look like SUV-ish. It looks like a baby XUV and that's a good thing. The only thing that I didn't quite like are the puny tyres [mostly to keep costs in check]. They could've atleast offered larger tyres in the top variant?

If the TUV is anything to go by, I'm sure M&M must've worked on the interiors extensively. Expect good quality interiors and gizmos galore. Although a micro SUV, I hope interior space isn't compromised on.

And THE most sad part about the KUV, I feel is the absence of an AMT. Missed opportunity, right from the word go. An automatic fully loaded microSUV in the 7-7.5 lac price range would've been a sure-fire hit!

[Arjun]

Honestly this gap filling approach doesn't offer much utility.

They are turning car segmentation criterion from Utility based to appearances based. How is this even close to the 'SUV' title in the true sense, can this thing do anymore offroading than say an i20 or a Swift.

I agree that the car segmentation has started becoming entirely based on appearances . However, we should also understand that most of the SUV buyers do not need an SUV in the true sense. I think only a fraction of the SUV buyers actually use their car to its full potential.
These days, SUVs are bought purely for their looks and the higher driving position. I believe these vehicles also have a better water wading capabilities, which turned many wannabe SUVs to be quite useful during Chennai floods. For an enthusiast , these cars being called SUV would be a joke, but for a layman, if it looks like an SUV, it is an SUV.

[Roshun]

I agree that the car segmentation has started becoming entirely based on appearances . However, we should also understand that most of the SUV buyers do not need an SUV in the true sense. I think only a fraction of the SUV buyers actually use their car to its full potential.
These days, SUVs are bought purely for their looks and the higher driving position. I believe these vehicles also have a better water wading capabilities, which turned many wannabe SUVs to be quite useful during Chennai floods. For an enthusiast , these cars being called SUV would be a joke, but for a layman, if it looks like an SUV, it is an SUV.

SUV = Scary Utility Vehicle perhaps? The high driving position and mean looks are meant to add to road presence. And yes, the increased ground clearance is a good thing. I think, what the Ford EcoSport started out as a segment is now playing out across segments. In India, we need that extra ground clearance given the sorry state of the roads and non-standard speed breakers. Also getting in and out of such a vehicle would be much easier given the taller stance - hence a practical choice even for older buyers. I'm not sure what level of safety kit Mahindra will offer, but going by what it did with the TUV, I think mid and top-end variants will have full safety kit. And I'm sure this vehicle too would have been engineered to meet 2017 crash test norms. As for the engines, Mahindra claims they can easily meet BS5 and BS6 standards with the mFalcon range, which means these are here to stay for a while. The mEagle (earlier Xylo engine) has died. The mHawk still survives, but not in all markets (Delhi's killed it). The mHawk also has a 1.5 litre variant in the TUV300, so perhaps at a later date, the mFalcon D75 will replace the mHawk in 1.5 litre guise.

[Arjun]

SUV = Scary Utility Vehicle perhaps? The high driving position and mean looks are meant to add to road presence. And yes, the increased ground clearance is a good thing. I think, what the Ford EcoSport started out as a segment is now playing out across segments. In India, we need that extra ground clearance given the sorry state of the roads and non-standard speed breakers. Also getting in and out of such a vehicle would be much easier given the taller stance - hence a practical choice even for older buyers. I'm not sure what level of safety kit Mahindra will offer, but going by what it did with the TUV, I think mid and top-end variants will have full safety kit. And I'm sure this vehicle too would have been engineered to meet 2017 crash test norms. As for the engines, Mahindra claims they can easily meet BS5 and BS6 standards with the mFalcon range, which means these are here to stay for a while. The mEagle (earlier Xylo engine) has died. The mHawk still survives, but not in all markets (Delhi's killed it). The mHawk also has a 1.5 litre variant in the TUV300, so perhaps at a later date, the mFalcon D75 will replace the mHawk in 1.5 litre guise.

During the announcement Mahindra has mentioned that the KUV100 would have ABS as standard. Also, driver and passenger airbags are available as an optional kit with every variant starting from the base.
They are going to follow the same for all future launches.

[Roshun]

The variant-wise details of the Mahindra KUV100 have been revealed. The official launch of the vehicle is on January 15, and is likely to come with a price tag between Rs. 4 lakh and Rs. 7 lakh, petrol and diesel models included. For full details of the Mahindra KUV100 line up, see this LINK.

The Mahindra KUV100 will come in four broad variants - K2, K4, K6 and K8 across petrol and diesel models. The good news is that ABS (antilock braking system) will be a standard safety feature on all variants. The K2, K4 and K6 variants also have K2+, K4+, and K6+ variant options, which include dual front airbags in the safety kit, while the K8 has them as standard. Good to see this safety oriented initiative by Mahindra. Across petrol and diesel, here are some of the features each of the variants will have:

K2: Electronic power steering, air conditioning, tilt adjustable steering wheel, body coloured bumpers, rear spoiler

K4: In addition to K2 equipment, it also has - four power windows, central locking, foldable rear seat, wheel caps, cladding on the fenders, day-night inside rear view mirror.

K6: In addition to K4 equipment, it also has - Electrically adjustable outside rear-view mirrors (ORVMs), cooled glove box, height adjustable driver's seat, remote central locking, rear wiper, 2 DIN audio system with four speakers, blacked out pillars and chrome inserts

K8: In addition to K6 equipment, also has: Front fog lamps, alloy wheels, puddle lamps, day-time running lamps and start-stop micro hybrid system among other features.

Looks interesting, as this vehicle will undercut the Ford EcoSport and lure buyers of premium hatchbacks as well. However, the mFalcon engine range is all-new, and a lot depends on initial ownership reviews of this vehicle, as I'm sure Mahindra does not want a repeat of the myriad niggles it had with the XUV500.

[kaiserketkar]

The variant-wise details of the Mahindra KUV100 have been revealed.

K8: In addition to K6 equipment, also has: Front fog lamps, alloy wheels, puddle lamps, day-time running lamps and start-stop micro hybrid system among other features.

Looks interesting, as this vehicle will undercut the Ford EcoSport and lure buyers of premium hatchbacks as well. However, the mFalcon engine range is all-new, and a lot depends on initial ownership reviews of this vehicle, as I'm sure Mahindra does not want a repeat of the myriad niggles it had with the XUV500.

Mahindra will, hopefully, put a killer price tag on this. The KUV100 has the potential to shake up the whole price bracket.
One feature I feel would have made a serious impact, and which seems to be missing from this list, is a touch screen infotainment. Considering that the Kwid also has one, adding it on the K8 would've made a lot of sense. And adapting the one from the Scorpio/ XUV wouldn't have really been so much of a problem.

[Roshun]

Mahindra will, hopefully, put a killer price tag on this. The KUV100 has the potential to shake up the whole price bracket.
One feature I feel would have made a serious impact, and which seems to be missing from this list, is a touch screen infotainment. Considering that the Kwid also has one, adding it on the K8 would've made a lot of sense. And adapting the one from the Scorpio/ XUV wouldn't have really been so much of a problem.

Frankly, I really don't care much for a 'touchscreen' infotainment system. Because, when you are driving, it is much better to have a knob or button to press rather than have to take your eyes off the road to adjust something on the touch screen. But, I'm sure Mahindra would offer that as an option. Did you see the spy shots of the interiors of the KUV? Front seats are almost bench like allowing you to squeeze in one more passenger, and the gear lever is nicely integrated on the dashboard.

[Roshun]

Here are some photographs of the interior of the Mahindra KUV100 that have been doing the rounds of the Internet. It's interesting to see the kind of front seats that Mahindra has chosen for the KUV100. This has an extended front passenger seat, making it almost like a bench, just like the Datsun Go has. The best part, as you can see in one of the photos is that the centre portion of the seat can be flipped down to form an armrest with a storage space in it. Although, no one should sit in the centre as it is a safety hazard, don't be surprised to see kids being squeezed in there. God forbid, if the driver brakes hard that dash mounted gear lever is going to do some serious damage to whoever tries sitting in the middle. Why offer such options in the first place?

(Image courtesy: Motoroids) The dash mounted gear lever looks neat. But that handbrake protruding from under the dash is a bit of an eyesore.

Check out the drop-down back-rest cum arm-rest. Quite innovative.