Mahindra has started on-road trials of their new MPV. Codenamed ‘U321′, the upcoming MPV will be pitted against the Toyota Innova Crysta and the yet to be launched Tata Hexa and hence it is expected to be premium in terms of features and price in comparison to the Xylo. The vehicle in production avatar will be called the TUV500.
The Mahindra U321 is developed by automaker’s Mahindra North America Technical Center in Troy, US. Spotted testing in Chennai, the U321 prototype was reported to be accompanied by the new Innova Crysta, the new benchmark in the segment.
The prototype features usual Mahindra styling cues like the signature toothy grille, up-swept headlamp clusters, tall tail lamps and subtle chrome trimming all around.
The U321/ TUV500 is expected to be underpinned in an all-new platform. Powering the MPV might be the 2.2-litre mHawk diesel unit. Possibility of the new downsized 1.99-litre mHawk diesel engine can’t be ruled out. It has been reported that Mahindra is working on a number of petrol engines for its future vehicles. Among them, a 1.8-litre petrol unit may power the new MPV.
The launch of the U321/ TUV500 is expected in the second half of 2017.
Source: gaadiwaadi