Mahindra is all set to launch its new compact SUV in India on 10 September and dealers have already started accepting bookings for TUV300 at Rs 20,000.
Some leaked pictures of the vehicle while shooting for its commercial have become the talk of the industry and the latest report from AutocarIndia gives the details of its three variants – T4, T6 and T8. The report further says that the higher two variants--T6 and T8--will get Automated Manual Transmission (AMT).
If the report comes out to be true when Mahindra launches the vehicle, TUV300 will become the country's most affordable automatic SUV.
TUV300 is likely to use AMT gearbox Mahindra had unveiled for Quanto at the 2014 Auto Expo. Mahindra christened the AMT version as Quanto autoShift. The AMT gearbox for TUV300 uses the same technology as seen in Maruti Celerio, and it uses a conventional gearbox and clutch that is actuated by a mechatronic unit.
This also marks the entry of the AMT gearbox to the SUV segment. Currently, the closest rival--Ford EcoSport--comes in automatic transmission with 1.5-litre petrol unit priced at Rs 9.72 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi.
The recently launched Hyundai Creta also has automatic version coming in 1.6-litre diesel engine, priced at Rs 13.57 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. As the expected price of TUV300 hovers around Rs 7 lakh, the AMT equipped version is likely to give a major headache to the other AMT version SUVs.
Mahindra TUV300 is a sub 4-metre compact SUV, surprisingly in a seven-seater package. The vehicle will feature a flat roof, roof rails, short overhangs, body-coloured door handles, door mirrors and bumpers. The compact SUV will be powered by the new mHawk80 engine, which is an updated version of Quanto's 1.5-litre three-cylinder diesel motor.
