new car special cover story
MPV mahiNdra U321 tHe innoVa’S moVe upmarket has left quite a void in the market for a people-mover in the rs 10-15 lakh price bracket, and it’s one that others haven’t really been able to fill yet. mahindra is now betting big on its upcoming, brand new, seven-seat mPV, which will not only fill this space but also wants to take the fight to the hot-selling and more expensive innova Crysta. the mPV which replaces the Xylo is code named u32. it comes with a monocoque construction, and will be lighter and more efficient than the Crysta and the tata Hexa, that use a heavier bodyon-frame construction. interiors will be all-new and equipped with the latest comfort and infotainment features. Seven-seater and eight-seater options are both likely, with aC vents for all three rows. the unnamed mPV will also debut a new 130hp, 1.6-litre, fourcylinder, mFalcon diesel engine that mahindra has jointly developed with Korean carmaker Ssangyong and will be a part of the carmaker’s future models.
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Coming: early 2018 Engines: 1.6d Price: rs 9-15 lakh
maruTi suzuki eRTIgA eVer SinCe itS launch in 2012, maruti’s life utility Vehicle or luV has been a consistent performer for the brand. it delivered on most parameters including performance, comfort and ownership, and was cheaper to buy than the innova and, heck – it was maruti! Come august 2018, there will be a new generation of the ertiga coming our way, and by the looks of it, maruti’s new mPV is going to be longer and slightly wider than the outgoing model. a longer rear overhang should mean more space for the thirdrow passengers, plus additional luggage space.
datSun Go CroSS
the second-generation model could get a more upright stance up front with a high-set nose and front bumper. the wheels have been upsized and will now ride on 16-inch wheels. maruti is likely to offer the same 1.4-litre petrol and a 1.3-litre diesel for now, with a 1.5-litre diesel engine that’s currently under development in-house replacing Fiat’s 1.3-litre diesel engine.
Coming: mid 2018 Engines: 1.4P, 1.3d Price: rs 7-12 lakh tHe go CroSS concept, datsun’s go+ based compact crossover grabbed a lot of attention at the 2016 auto expo. its jacked-up stance, beefy body cladding, skid plates and radical front-end styling were a far cry from its donor car’s skinny proportions and build. nissan’s sub-brand has been slow in bringing the car to the market, but with the crossover-SuV demand showing no signs of slowing down, the go Cross still holds a lot of relevance. With the right pricing, this crossover could give a much-needed boost to the brand’s flailing fortunes.
Coming: early 2018 Engines: 1.2P Price: rs 6-8 lakh
december 2017 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 109