The SsangYong Tivoli was showcased at the Auto Expo
2016, but reports have said that instead, India will get a Mahindra-badged new
sub-compact SUV later this decade. Multiple web reports claim
that Dr. Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra, has
confirmed this future Mahindra sub-compact SUV (codename: Mahindra S201).
The Mahindra S201 will sit on the SsangYong Tivoli’s
X100 platform, and perhaps this was the reason why the latter road testing in
the country since last year. Mahindra isn’t making simply a rebadged version. The company has said that the
Mahindra S201 will look completely different from the SsangYong Tivoli.
It will use its resources at Pininfarina and
SsangYong for the vehicle’s design.
It’s unknown what engine options are planned for the
Mahindra S201. Mahindra has a wide portfolio of diesel engines, but not many
petrol units. The KUV100’s mFALCON G80 82 bhp 1.2-litre four-cylinder
petrol engine could make the S201 feel underpowered. A likely petrol option is
the new 1.5-litre unit which the company is co-developing with SsangYong.
The S201 will slot between the
Mahindra KUV100 and the Mahindra TUV300.
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