A report published by Autocar India claims that the
Mahindra XUV500 petrol will feature a 2.2 L engine based on the same mHawk
diesel block that powers the current car. The report is consistent with the
news of the Scorpio and XUV500 getting a 2.2 L petrol engine from February last
year.
Specifications of the 2.2 L petrol unit are unknown
at this moment. What is known, however, is that there will be manual and
automatic transmission options on offer. The report adds that the Mahindra
XUV500 petrol will be available in a new G-spec variant only.
Mahindra is investing about INR 1,000 Crores into
the development of the petrol engines. There are three petrol engines in the
pipeline – 1.5 L, 1.6 L, and 2.2 L. Currently, Mahindra has one petrol engine
in its portfolio, the 1.2 L mFalcon G80 that powers the KUV100. In the past,
the company has said that all Mahindra products will come with a petrol engine
option 2018 onwards. In a note to investors, the company said in February this
year that it would roll out the petrol variant of the XUV500 before the
Scorpio, this fiscal.
The Mahindra XUV500 petrol has been spotted testing
on public roads in the past. In fact, the LHD test mule snapped in Dubai in
June is said to be petrol powered as well as diesel SUVs are hardly used in the
UAE. Based on the market response to the Mahindra XUV500 petrol, the company
will take a call on whether to launch the petrol variants of the Scorpio.
