Mahindra has seldom launched a product at the Auto Expo. Instead, the company uses the platform to showcase its existing portfolio and the upcoming products. Case in point is the Reva NXR, Ssangyong Korando and Ssangyong Rexton which will be unveiled to India for the very first time at the biennial event. The Expo is a great platform for automakers to launch new vehicles but Mahindra feels the buzz gets diluted due to the amount of new launches. Thus the Xylo facelift won’t make it to the Expo and will be launched around the 20th of January. The Xylo facelift has some minor tweaks to both the exterior and interiors and will be available in seven and eight seat configurations. The mini-Xylo on the other hand will only see a launch in April 2012, which is almost four months away!
The mini Xylo is based on the Xylo platform and will measure under 4-meter in length (to classify as a small car and attract lesser duties). It is a new concept, wherein a hatchback is also an MPV, since the mini-Xylo will be available with 7 seats (the last row will have 2 jump seats). Two all new engines will power the mini-Xylo, one being a 1.2-liter petrol motor, while the 1.5-liter diesel unit being a watered down version of the mEagle powertrain. What really sets the mini-Xylo apart from B-segment hatchbacks would be its 7-seats, high ground clearance and rugged looks. Expect a starting price of around Rs. 5 lakhs for the mini-Xylo.
Source – Hormazd Sorabjee via Twitter