The Mahindra KUV100, however, brings in a whole new dimension to the company's portfolio in India. Mahindra intends to reach out to a new audience altogether with this mini-SUV, and as Dr Goenka said at the unveil ceremony of the car, it will target to attract the attention of first time buyers especially youngsters which is why they've called it the KUV100. Mahindra brought in the name KUV100 - where KUV stands for Kool Utility Vehicle (KUV) and 100 signifies the series and the vehicle's position, which is now below the Mahindra TUV300 and XUV500.
The second focus of the vehicle is the design and that's where Mahindra has taken cues from its older siblings - the XUV500 and the Scorpio. First of all the most integral similarity is the fact that KUV100 is built on the monocoque chassis as the XUV500. Secondly the KUV100 also shares a similar design language with the latter like the beefy and aggressive front end along with sharp character lines that to an extent also makes it look like a mini XUV500. On the other hand the grille of the new KUV100 seems to have taken a bit inspiration from the Scorpio.
Also Read: Things You Need To Know About Mahindra KUV 100 & Mahindra KUV100 Review
The Mahindra KUV100 principally comes in four variants - K2, K4, K6 and K8, among these the K2, K4 and K6 variants also come with a "+" option, which offers some additional safety and comfort features. On the other hand the top-of-the-line K8 variant is equipped with all the premium features and safety offerings in the list.
The KUV100 also gets a unique pair of headlamps with follow-me-home lamps, LED DRLs and turn indicators along with a muscular black plastic-cladded front bumper that houses the vertical LED fog lamps, air dam and a large sliver skid plate. So it gets the SUV treatment but mind you it's not a full blown mini off-roader.
Also Read: Will Maruti Suzuki Ignis Rival Mahindra KUV100 in India?
Now Mahindra will blow everybody away with the feature list in the car and we will not see a standard 2+3 seating configuration on the KUV100 as it comes with bench seats both at the front and rear with 6-seat configuration. Moreover the gear-lever has been infused with the dashboard, while the pull type handbrake lever placed at the base of the centre console. This means the Mahindra might market it as a six-seater, which if you as us is not a very wise idea considering its target group.
As for the feature offerings, you'll find a front & rear arm rests, illuminated key-hole, all 4 power windows, Piano Black centre console, Driver Seat Height Adjustment, multi-functional steering wheel, cooled glove box, sun glass holder, silver accented air vents, 4 Speaker + 2 Tweeter Infotainment system and drive two modes - Power and Eco along with the company's Micro Hybrid technology.
If parents are wondering about safety, then Mahindra puts your mind to rest by offering ABS and EBD as standard features across all variants, driver and passenger airbags and engine immobilizer will be available in other variants except for the base.
Also Read: Mahindra KUV100 Launched in India; Prices Start at 4.42 Lakh
Coming to the engine options, the Mahindra KUV100 comes powered by an all-new mFalcon range of petrol and diesel engines - mFalcon G80 and mFalcon D75 respectively. Now the mFalcon G80 is the first ground-up petrol engine developed by Mahindra in house at their Chennai Centre and it is also the lightest engine in its segment made up of an all-aluminium body. According to Mahindra the new 1.2-litre petrol engine uses advanced technologies that offer high power density and fuel efficiency with power figures clocked at 82bhp and 114Nm of peak torque.
Also Read: Mahindra KUV100 Spotted at Dealer's Yard Ahead of Launch
On the other hand the all new oil burner - mFalcon D75, is a 1.2-litre turbocharged common rail diesel engine. The motor has been built with similar advance technologies as the petrol unit, which makes it is capable of producing 77bhp and a peak torque of 190Nm. Moreover it gets a BS IV emission rating, while both the engines will come mated to a 5-speed manual transmission with no current plans for an AMT unit.
Mahindra promises a whole bunch of additions in the department of features when compared to rivals like the Maruti Suzuki WagonR and the Hyundai Grand i10. So expect the price to start somewhere around Rs. 4.2 lakh to Rs. 6 lakh.
