2021 Mahindra XUV500 Looks Production Ready

Despite the heavy camouflage, we can see the new XUV500 features a huge front grille flanked by upswept headlamps with L-shaped DRLs flowing into the bumper. The bumper gets a wide air dam flanked by fog lamps. Coming to the side, it continuous to get the stepped window line which goes up after the C-pillar, like in the current model. The rear profile was too heavily camouflage to reveal anything about the design but the profile reminds us of the Harrier, especially the sharp line just below the rear windscreen. 

Unlike the exterior, the interior of the SUV is visible in its entirety and its ages ahead of the current model. It looks more sophisticated and premium than before as it gets a leather-wrapped dashboard. The centre of attraction is the Mercedes-like dual-screen setup for the infotainment and instrumentation. The central console consists of central AC vents sitting at the top of the rotary knob controls and other buttons. It also features a storage area at the bottom which could be equipped with wireless mobile charging. The central floor console gets a rotary dial behind the gear knob which could be a controller for the infotainment screen. It also gets a new steering wheel with controls for the instrumentation screen and cruise control on flanks. 

The new XUV500 is expected to be loaded on the features front as well. Along with features like a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone AC, multiple airbags, font and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, it is also expected to get segment-first Level-1 autonomous technology. As a result, it should be equipped with active safety features like autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control, among others. 

Under the hood, the new XUV500 will borrow its engines from the Thar. Like the Thar, it will get a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and a 2.2-litre diesel engine but in a higher state of tune producing around 190PS and 180PS, respectively. For reference, the Thar makes 150PS and 130PS with petrol and diesel engine, respectively. Transmission duties will be taken care of by a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Like the current model, the new XUV500 might also get an option of 4WD in the higher variants. 

Mahindra is expected to price the next-gen XUV500 from Rs 14 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. It will take on likes of the Tata Safari, Tata Harrier, MG Hector Plus and some variants of the Jeep Compass. 

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