Feeling the heat from compact SUVs, Mahindra has launched a new entry level variant of the XUV500, called W4. The earlier base variant of the XUV was W6 but the company has further removed quite a lot of equipment to arrive at a lower price point. The Mahindra XUV500 W4 is priced at Rs. 10.83 lakhs (ex-showroom, Mumbai). A total of 4 variants are now available in the XUV500 range – W4, W6, W8 and W8 AWD. The first three variants are front-wheel driven as very few buyers opt for all-wheel drive in this SUV.
So what all has Mahindra removed from the W6 variant of the XUV500? The infotainment system is basic with 4 speakers and equipment omitted includes front fog lamps, rain-sensing wipers, climate control, cornering headlights, cruise control, steering mounted controls, telescopic steering adjustment, etc. The W4 variant of the XUV500 retains front airbags, projector headlights with LED parking lamps, all-wheel discs, ABS, EBD, 6-way adjustable driver’s seat, dual tone interiors, remote central locking, etc.
So in essence the Mahindra XUV500 W4 looks the same as other XUV500 variants. Mechanically the crossover is the same too, drawing power from the 2.2-litre 4-pot diesel motor which yields out 140 BHP of peak power and 330 Nm of peak torque, coupled to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Micro-hybrid technology is offered on all variants to boost fuel economy and the vehicle is rated by ARAI to return 15.1 km/l. Mahindra has sold around 74,000 units of the XUV500 in the past two years and the company recently claimed to have ironed out all niggling issues, based on customer feedback.
