Mahindra is keen to launch XUV Aero

The flashy XUV Aero concept, showcased by Mahindra & Mahindra at Auto Expo 2016, will become a reality if there is enough demand. The concept had received positive response from industry-watchers, making the utility vehicle specialist keen on going ahead with the plan. Emerging reports indicate that Mahindra is serious about the product.

"We would want to launch it," Dr Pawan Goenka, executive director, M&M, said. "We have already done some initial engineering work but we have not finalised anything about its business viability." The market launch of the XUV Aero is now expected after 2017.

The XUV Aero coupe SUV concept has been conceptualised and designed at Mahindra's Design studio in Mumbai, with inputs from the company's in-house Italian design firm, Pininfarina. The concept has been unveiled with an aggressive coupe-styled body stance. The headlights get LED DRLs and the vehicle features prominent shoulder lines.

Powering the Aero XUV is Mahindra's 2.2-litre mHawk engine, which can dish out 210bhp of power. The XUV Aero concept was showcased with drive and suspension modes — the Race, Off-Road, Street and Sport.

Coupe SUVs form a booming car segment in India where the major players are BMW X6 and Marcedes-Benz-GLE Coupe. The XUV Aero is expected to be priced around Rs. 20 lakh, a price point at which it will be the most affordable coupe SUV in India.