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• Bolder styling
• 'Upmarket appeal'
• Loads of standard kits
• Turbodiesel engine
Johannesburg - Mahindra South Africa has upgraded its XUV500 SUV.
The XUV500, first launched in 2011, has spearheaded the brand’s push into the highly competitive SUV segment, claims Mahindra, with a "modern, powerful, spacious and well-equipped vehicle".
Image gallery: 2015 Mahindra New Age XUV500
For 2015 it gains new front-end styling and interior tweaks.
Mahindra South Africa CEO Sanjoy Gupta says: “The XUV500 is a significant vehicle for Mahindra, because it emphasises the brand’s intention to extend its product range beyond its tried and tested utility vehicles.
“Combining contemporary styling and smart, spacious interior with a powerful and efficient turbodiesel drivetrain. The array of improvements is significant inside and out, ensuring that the New Age XUV500 will be even more appealing than before.”
Under the bonnet
The New Age XUV500 retains its predecessor’s powerful, efficient turbodiesel drivetrain, claims the automaker. The 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel is capable of 103kW/330NM.
Fuel consumption is rated at 6.5 litres/100km for the combined cycle, linked to 171g/km CO2 emissions. Mahindra claims the 70-litre fuel tank offers an operating range in excess of 1000km between refuels, depending on driving conditions.
The engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels, although an all-wheel drive version of the W8 model is available for those intent on more serious excursions off the beaten track.
Fresh face
The most compelling changes are to the front of the XUV500. The new grille design is smarter, utilising a glossy black finish with chromed accents, as well as a more prominent Mahindra badge, while the lower air intake has been reshaped.
The headlights has a more resolute appearance and a new, curved LED daytime running light signature. New fog lights are mounted in restyled apertures linked to the lower edge of the headlights.
The bonnet is wider, the door releases are revised and its fitted with new 17” alloy wheels. The multi -poke wheels are shod with 235/65 R17 all-terrain tyres.
The tall longitudinal tail lights have new internal tattoo design, while the tailgate is garnished with a more prominent, chromed Mahindra applique.
Interior
The most obvious improvements are the all-back leather upholstery and the large 18cm full-colour touch-screen display located in the centre stack.
The new touch screen is standard fare on the W8 flagship model and include integrated satellite navigation with voice prompts multi-speaker sound system, Bluetooth connectivity, iPod-compatible USB sockets and a reverse camera.
There are also three rows of seats.
Mahindra says the flagship W8 features auto-sensing headlights, windscreen wipers, fully auto climate control aircon, remote central locking, cruise control and a multi-function steering wheel. There are also power windows and exterior mirrors, a refrigerated centre console,and charging points in all three rows.
Safety
The New Age XUV500 range-topper W8 is fitted with dual front, side and curtain airbags, side impact protection bars and crash protection crumple zones.
It comes with anti-lock braking system, electronic brake-force distribution, electronic stability program with roll-over mitigation. The W6 and W8 versions include hill hold and hill descent control.
Prices
XUV500 W4 - R262 995
XUV500 W6 - R304 995
XUV500 W8 - R339 995
XUV500 W8 - AWD R359 995
The XUV comes with a five-year or 150 000km warranty and a five-year or 100 000km service plan. Services intervals are 20 000km.
