Mahindra set for Australian debut
Mahindra is set to launch its XUV700 in Australia within weeks.
The new from-the-ground-up model will compete in the fiercely competitive medium SUV under-$60,000 segment, which also hosts the likes of the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4.
On sale from June 15, the XUV700 will arrive with the choice of two seven-seat variants Goauto understands will be badged as AX7 and AX7L. The five-seat AX5 will not be offered in Australia at this stage.
The seven-seat duo will be offered with a 149kw-380nm 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit and Aisinsourced six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels – the all-wheel drive 2.2-litre turbo-diesel found in other markets still a no-go for the Australian market.
The Mahindra XUV700 features monocoque construction, rides on a sophisticated Macpherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension arrangement with frequency selective damping and is stopped by four-wheel disc brakes.
Importantly, the XUV700 also includes a comprehensive array of advanced driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, ACC, autonomous emergency braking,
AEB, auto high beam, forward collision warning, FCW, lane keep assist, LKA and traffic sign recognition.
Seven airbags are provided, the XUV700 also including top-tether and ISOFIX child seat anchorages as part of a comprehensive safety package that earned the vehicle a five-star
Global NCAP, new car assessment program, rating.
Global NCAP secretary general Alejandro Furas said Mahindra had achieved a major milestone with a top score for adult protection and by becoming the first Indian made and owned brand to offer autonomous
emergency braking as a safety option.
“Making this life saving technology available is an important step in encouraging the widespread fitment of crash avoidance technologies,” he said.
“Mahindra is one of the leading manufacturers in India, committed to improving their vehicles in response to Global NCAP’S call to democratise vehicle safety.”
As standard, infotainment technologies include Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity, six-speaker sound, AM-FM radio reception and a rear-view camera.
Seventeen and 18-inch wheels are available, as is a panoramic Skyroof, LED headlights, auto lights and wipers, a tyre-pressure monitoring system, a 360-degree camera system with continuous digital video recording, and a Sony-sourced 12-speaker 3D sound system.
Colour choices extend to five: Everest white, midnight black, dazzling silver, red rage and electric blue.
The Mahindra XUV700 essentially replaces the Ssangyong-derived XUV500, but is larger in almost every dimension. It measures 4696mm in length, 1890mm in width, 1755mm in height and rides on a 2750mm wheelbase.
Mahindra Australia has yet to confirm pricing for the XUV700 range.
Further details are expected to be announced when the model makes its Australian debut on June 15.