Mahindra
Mahindra XUV at a car rally organised among ASEAN countries in India. (Representational Picture)CreativeCommons/PriyankuPhukan

Popular SUV maker Mahindra's upcoming compact SUV code-named S101 has been caught on test again in the country, this time giving us a handy glimpse at the seating layout of the car.

Mahindra's S101 was caught on camera numerous times in the country. The latest prototype was snapped by readers of Motor Vikatan, Gowtham and Ramnath. Scheduled to go on sales sometime next year, the S101 is seen undergoing testing with dummy weights. In the latest set of spy shots as well, we can see the SUV with fog-lights but again with basic bulbs.

Mahindra S101 SUV still remains under cover, thus hiding all the key designs and features of the car from eagle-eyed photographers. However, the SUV seen here is seen having a bench-type seating arrangement at the front for three. Although Mahindra's new sub-four meter SUV was caught on test a few times, we are yet to get a complete picture of the car's design and styling.

From what we hear so far, the SUV S101 will be riding on a new monocoque platform and we also hear that the car will get slopping roof and features like auto climate-control, steering-mounted buttons for infotainment system.

The engine line-up of the new SUV is yet to be revealed, but rumours suggest that the car will get power from Mahindra's newly developed 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and 1.5-litre three-cylinder mCR100 unit. Apparently, there are also safety features like Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, four airbags and Electronic Stability Programme on the menu.

Rumours are rife that the SUV will get a price tag in the range of ₹5-7 lakh. Once it hits the market, the car will take on the likes of Ford EcoSport and upcoming Volkswagen Taigun.

Besides this SUV, Mahindra is also gearing up for the launch of a new Bolero and a facelifted version of its Quanto.

Expected to see the unveiling by the end of this year, Mahindra Quanto is also likely to come with automated manual transmission (AMT).