Mahindra to launch new Toyota Innova Cryta rival MPV codename U321.
Mahindra is betting big on the new MPV codenamed U321 and plans to invest Rs. 1500 crores towards development in the company’s Nasik and Igatpuri facilities.
The investment in the Nasik plant will be towards manufacture of new vehicle codenamed U321, while investment in the Igatpuri plant will be for manufacture and supply of engines.
The new MPV has been spotted testing a number of times in India and from the images the MPV looks inspired from the Innova which is going to be its main rival.
The vehicle is undergoing final testing and will be launched in the second half of 2017 mainly ahead of the festive season. Heavily camaflouged test mules have been spotted in Chennai where the company has development centre located at Mahindra Research Valley on outskirts of Chennai.
According to company ·the government of Maharashtra has confirmed the status of ‘Ultra Mega Project’ to proposed investment. The MPV may get an option of both a 2.0 and 2.2 litre MHawk engine delivering 140PS of max power and 330Nm of Torque. An automatic variant will also be considered as demand for ATs have seen a significant rise.
Expect Mahindra to heavily load the vehicle with features like Projector headlights with DRLs, large 16inch alloy wheels, Push button Strat/Stop, Mild hybrid technology, touchscreen with GPS/USB/Audio/Video/Picture viewer, reverse camera and Mahindra BLUE Sense.
In terms of safety the MPV will be equipped with dual airbags, (6 airbags could be considered for top variants), ABS, EBD & BA. Advanced safety features like ESP, Hill Descent control, Hill Hold Control, may be considered.
The new project will help in economic activity in Nasik region of Maharashtra, which is one of the main production bases for Mahindra.
The new MPV will compete with the likes of Toyota Innova Cryta and newly launched Tata Motors Hexa.
Also read – Mahindra MPV spotted testing, to compete with Innova Crysta
