May 20, 2016 07:03 PM
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STORY HIGHLIGHT good on space -new styling of an SUV enrty level hatcback
-all new 1.2-liter petrol engine
Mahindra KUV100, which has been launched in India at 4.42 lakh(ex-showroom, Pune), is a name(that like its stable-mates the TUV300 and XUV500) will take quite a lot of getting used to. The KUV nomenclature comes from Cool Utility Vehicle(yes cool with a k!) and is in line with Mahindra's obsession of forcing alphanumeric names down our throats, even when names like Scorpio and Bolero were attractive, iconic and unique! But that being said, soon we will be used to it anyway, so let me also quickly tell you that the plan from Mahindra is simple. All monocoque vehicles that share a platform with the current XUV500 in the future will carry the XUV prefix, those that share the ladder frame platform of the Scorpio will be badged TUV-something and the compact cars on the new S101 platform will be branded KUV.
The part that I once again applaud Mahindra for is sticking to the promise made two years ago. EVERY variant of EVERY new launch will have optional if not standard safety equipment. We saw that with the Scorpio, the TUV300 and now the KUV100 carries that forward. The KUV100 in fact also has ABS as standard across the range anyway - a big plus in this segment. We have seen that Mahindra's bold and progressive stance on safety has made consumers more aware and interested. M&M sales show that more of them opt for the safety rather than skimp on it by the way, which is very heartening. It has also compelled the competition to rethink safety - In 2014 we saw M&M, Toyota and VW get proactive on safety, and in 2015 it was finally the market leaders Maruti and Hyundai that have also got in line. So kudos again Mahindra!
The Mahindra KUV100 can now be booked on the carandbike website. Click here to book yours today!
So now let me tell you all about the new KUV100. The car is a subcompact crossover - I guess that is how it is positioned. But look closer and you realise that the company that said it will never make cars, only UVs has made a small car! The KUV100 has entry hatchback proportions, and sits below 4 metres in length at 3675mm. It is tall though at 1655mm(inclusive of the roof rails which are available only on the top two variants). In terms of looks the KUV100 is bold and modern - though as usual Mahindra has erred on the side of overstyling than opting for the subtle route. Having said that, the KUV100 is appealing, and has much better build and metal surfacing than existing Mahindras. The Evoquesque headlamp cluster that extends all the way back over the fender and wheel arch is distinct, and also carries the car's name. The daytime running LEDs are only the preserve of the top-end K8 variant sadly.
The KUV100 is available in 7 colours - the orange, red, grey, aqua blue, and the inevitable silver, white and black. I have to say the orange looks good, but I think the grey will be my second favourite. Will the KUV100 get an AMT is a question I am hearing a lot - and the answer is Mahindra wants to wait and assess customer feedback before jumping into a hasty decision. In the long run, it may be better for M&M and SsangYong to get into a larger(read more lucrative) sourcing deal for an automatic gearbox, which may prove more successful than an AMT. But given the initial response, I reckon Mahindra will already be thinking of variants and value adds for the KUV100.
Mahindra KUV100 Mileage: 25.32Km/l(Diesel) and 18.15Km/l(Petrol)
