Avid MotorBeam reader Rafi Ali Khan sent us this picture of the mini Xylo (codenamed U203) he spotted at the Mumbai Airport recently. Mahindra has been extensively testing the Xylo mini for quite some time now. The Xylo mini is the hatchback version of the Xylo MPV, chopped to under 4-meters in length to benefit from small car excise duties. This will be the first time Mahindra will enter this competitive segment, which account for more than 70% of car sales in India. But why would Mahindra bring the mini Xylo to Mumbai? Usually the company tests its future models around Nashik, Pune and occasionally in Ooty as well. With no launch in sight could the company showcase this product at the 2012 Auto Expo to gauge customer reactions? Or did the mini-Xylo visit Mumbai as is final destination before its official reveal?
The mini Xylo will get both a diesel and petrol heart. The diesel engine will be straight out of the Verito, while the petrol unit would be an all new 1.2-liter, 3-cylinder unit. Mahindra will offer the mini Xylo as a 5-seater but side facing seats could be offered to make this car a 7-seater. Prices are expected to start around Rs. 5 lakhs for the base model, while the top variant should cost around Rs. 7 lakhs (ex-showroom). The mini Xylo is set to create an all new segment when it goes on sale sometime in 2012. Till then we await more details from Mahindra on the mini Xylo.