Mahindra is testing the new XUV500 with a petrol engine for export markets. The petrol powered test mule of the SUV was caught testing in Chennai.
Mahindra had launched the XUV500 facelift in India a couple of months back post the dipping performance of the SUV in terms of sales. The vehicle has been a game changer for the Indian car maker when it was initially introduced in the country and there has been no looking back for it ever since. The XUV500 since then has been one of the most favored products to be offered from the Mahindra stable and the flagship product has found many customers from every corner of the country.
The Nashik based car manufacturer is planning to take the XUV500 to the next level by giving it a petrol engine in the coming future as a petrol powered XUV500 test mule was caught testing in Chennai by our reader Muthukumaran G. The ‘PETROL ONLY’ marking on top of the refueling lid was the main giveaway. Bearing no changes in the design department, the mule had various wires running from the engine compartment to the inside of the SUV, signifying the testing process. The petrol engine is most likely the newly developed 1.6-litre e-XGi 160 petrol engine that gives out 126 PS of power and 157 Nm of torque. The same engine powers the SsangYong Tivoli compact SUV.
Power is expected to be sent to the front or all-four wheels through either a 6-speed manual or automatic gearbox. Mahindra will not launch the petrol XUV500 in India as demand for petrol powered cars in this segment is very low. Therefore, the test car is being prepared for export markets where a much wider customer base is present for petrol SUVs. The XUV500 petrol will most probably be launched in global markets next year.
