Could This Be The Next-gen Mahindra XUV500?

• Ssangyong to showcase next-gen Korando SUV in March at Geneva Motor Show.
• Based on a modified platform which also underpins the Tivoli and the XUV300.
• Expected to take styling cues from SIV-2 concept showcased earlier.
• Likely to come with petrol, diesel and electric powertrains.
• Could be launched as the next-gen XUV500 in India.

After SsangYong was acquired by homegrown carmaker Mahindra & Mahindra way back in 2011, the latter has made strong strides in enhancing and widening its SUV portfolio in India. Whether it is the Alturas G4 or the upcoming XUV300, we have seen strong synergies between the two carmakers time and again.

And now, the third Mahindra SUV which could share its platform and other design cues with its Ssangyong cousin in India could be the next generation Mahindra XUV500. The all-new SsangYong Korando, which is set to be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March, could give us a glimpse of what the next generation XUV500 could look like.

Starting with its underpinnings, the new Korando is likely to share its platform with the new XUV500. It is expected to be based on a stretched version of the X100 platform which also underpins the Tivoli. This will be the only unibody platform in Mahindra’s portfolio apart from the two other ladder frames, which underpin the Alturas G4 and the Marazzo MPV.

The all-new Korando is likely to borrow its styling from the SIV-2 concept shown earlier by Ssangyong and the XUV500 could also feature a similar design language. It is also likely to get a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, co-developed by Ssangyong along with a BSVI-compliant diesel engine.

The Korando is likely to feature electrified powertrains as well. And if not immediately, the XUV500 could also get them later in India. The Korando will be Ssangyong’s first all-electric SUV globally. With competition heating up in the midsize SUV segment, the XUV500 would need to pull up its socks in order to take on the likes of the Jeep Compass, the new Tata Harrier and the upcoming MG Hector. And the Korando treatment could be its best step forward in this direction.

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