Upcoming Mahindra XUV500 replacement to be called XUV700

Tuhin Guha Updated: April 08, 2021, 11:53 AM IST

Mahindra and Mahindra has announced that its upcoming replacement for the XUV500, codenamed the W601, will in fact be called the Mahindra XUV700. The company has also confirmed that the upcoming XUV700 will launch in India around June-July of this year. This could also mean that the current XUV500 continues alongside the new SUV, the XUV700 slotting in above it and below the Alturas G4.

This new XUV700 will be based on a new monocoque W601 architecture, which was also to be the base for a Ford SUV too until the deal fell through. The SUV is expected to get uprated versions of the engines that recently debuted on the Mahindra Thar. This means the 2.0-litre Stallion turbo-petrol with approximately 190PS and around 350 Nm and the 2.2-litre mHawk diesel with close to 190PS and over 400 Nm torque. Both engines should pair with a six-speed manual and a six-speed torque-converter auto. Mahindra has also confirmed the addition of an optional AWD system with the XUV700.

The exterior styling of the new XUV700 is expected to be a big departure from that of the current model, as seen in recent spy images. There are simpler surfaces, wider and less top-heavy stance and flatter body panels throughout. There is another iteration of the cheetah grille of course, but deeper set and more upright now, along with a new interpretation of the clawed headlamps. Similarly at the rear, the hatch seems a lot less bulbous with sharper lines. A big revelation in these photos also seems to be that the 2021 XUV500 could get some form of advanced driver aids. This is clear from the housing for the radar equipment this tech needs in the front air dam.

There have been similarly massive upgrades to the inside of the XUV700 as well. The most prominent of these is the floating dual-screen cockpit. There seems to be an obvious Mercedes-Benz inspiration here, with one half of the display expected to be the instrument cluster and the other should house the infotainment system. Other details seen here are a chunky looking flat-bottomed steering wheel, low-ser air vents and AC controls that seem to point to a dual-zone climate control system. The usual feature set in this segment like auto headlamps and wipers, some form of connected tech, LED lighting and a panoramic sunroof is also expected.

The Mahindra XUV700 will compete with the likes of the Tata Safari, MG Hector and the upcoming Hyundai Alcazar. The new SUV will be manufactured at Mahindra's Chakan facility. The XUV700 should be priced between Rs 15 to 23 lakh, ex-showroom.

Mahindra XUV500 2019 Full Spec

Price (Ex-Delhi)
Starts Rs 12.23 Lakhs

Displacement
2179cc

Transmission
Automatic

Max Power(ps)
140

Max Torque(Nm)
320

Mileage
-NA-

Hyundai Alcazar 2021 Full Spec

Price (Ex-Delhi)
Starts Rs 16.3 Lakhs

Displacement
1493cc

Transmission
Automatic

Max Power(ps)
115