Mahindra’s ‘kool’ new SUV, the KUV100

With the launch of Mahindra’s all-new KUV100 just a couple of days away, we thought this is a good time to tell you all we can about it before it breaks cover. The KUV100 launches on January 15, and will be Mahindra’s smallest SUV yet, slotting below the TUV300 and is targeted at young, urban buyers looking for an SUV/crossover compact enough to be driven to work with ease but still feeling like an SUV that can be taken for the odd weekend drive. So what’s it all about?

Styling

The KUV100 gets a fresh design language keeping the target audience in mind. In fact the K in KUV stands for ‘kool’ – a word used commonly by today’s youth. So this ‘kool utility vehicle’ has its sights set on car buyers in their mid to late 20s, which is why it has been designed that way. Unlike the boxy, traditional designs of Mahindra’ other SUVs like the TUV300, Scorpio and the XUV500, this one gets softer, curvier lines. It may be under the 4-metre mark in length but it looks every bit like an SUV, and its bold lines and a high set grille and headlamps augment that feel. It also gets the obligatory fog lamps and a bumper with a bottom end finished in silver to look like a skid plate. 

The sides look muscular thanks to a sharp character line on the rear door, and interestingly Mahindra has placed the door handles for the rear doors on the C-pillar and not below the window to give the KUV100 a two-door coupe-like appearance. The front and rear wheel arches are pushed to the respective ends of the vehicle which should improve interior space and in fact there is almost no overhang at the back. The roofline also slopes towards the rear, thanks to which the KUV100 looks very appealing from the rear-three quarter. High set taillights again accentuate the SUV-like feel. 

Features and equipment

We’ve seen images of the dashboard and know that the KUV100 will sport a gear lever placed on the centre console and not the floor, something’s that a common design trait in utility vehicles abroad. The KUV100 will also feature a front bench seat which means it will seat three passengers upfront – that makes it interesting, it has been a long time since we saw a car that seats three persons at the front and has seat belts for all three too! We believe there will be a conventional five seater on offer as well, and full details at the launch should clear the air about the seating options. 

What we also know is that the clocks and steering wheel will be similar to the TUV300. The handbrake though will be a pull-type, like we have seen earlier on the Toyota Qualis and more recently in the Datsun Go. Expect the KUV100 to sport the usual gamut of features like infotainment with USB, AUX and Bluetooth connectivity, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) apart from a cooled glove box, power/eco driving modes and Mahindra’s Micro Hybrid technology aka start-stop to enhance efficiency. The KUV100 will also get ABS standard across variants. 

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Powertrains 

The KUV100 will debut a new series of small capacity engines for Mahindra, who is better known for its larger capacity diesel engines. The new family is badged mFalcon and the engines the KUV100 will use are 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol and diesel motors. Both engines meet BS IV norms. The diesel will obviously be the one in focus given Indian buyers’ penchant for efficiency, and its displacement of 1.2-litres should help it take on premium hatchbacks like the Honda Jazz, Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Hyundai Elite i20 in terms of fuel economy. The petrol motor produces 83PS of power and 115Nm of torque, while the diesel engine manages 78PS and 190Nm. Both engines will come mated to five-speed manual transmissions though we’re curious to know when Mahindra will offer an AMT transmission. The diesel engine we’re told uses lighter components and a new generation turbocharger to enhance weight savings and improve performance and efficiency. 

Overview

The KUV100 will be launched as a compact, urban SUV to cater to the needs of the youth who want more than just a hatchback but without burning a hole in their wallet. That said, we expect prices for the KUV100 to start from Rs 4.5 lakh ex-showroom for the base petrol variant, while the top of the line diesel variant should be priced in the region of Rs 7.5 lakh. That kind of pricing should put it in the same league as the aforementioned premium hatchbacks, which are the choice of youngsters wanting a comfortable, stylish set of wheels.