Mahindra is said to have decided to give the XUV500 moniker to a new midsize SUV that will rival the Hyundai Creta, Tata Harrier, and the like.
Only yesterday did the carmaker reveal that it will be calling the XUV500’s successor the XUV700, indicating the step it has made over the decade old SUV.
Once the XUV700 gets launched, the XUV500 will be discontinued from the carmaker’s lineup, but the moniker will not be gone for long, as the firm will then use it on an SUV that will sit below the XUV700.
Likely to be underpinned by the same platform as the XUV700, the Creta and Harrier rival would strictly be a 5-seat SUV with only its front wheels receiving power from the engine.
It could borrow some of the styling elements from the XUV700, but should have its own identity. Instead of sticking to the old design theme, Mahindra might come up with a more modern design for the car.
This way, its interior will also be in tune with the times, sporting tonnes of latest features. But, a conscious effort will be made to not let it be more modern than the XUV700. This could mean the new generation XUV500 will not get Level 1 ADAS tech.
However, the new generation midsize SUV bearing the Mahindra XUV500 moniker will borrow the petrol and diesel powertrains from the XUV700. It should come with less power and torque figures than the model that sits above it though.
Expected to be unveiled about a year after the launch of the XUV700, the new XUV500 could be priced from Rs. 12 lakhs (ex-showroom).
Source – ZigWheels.com