Mahindra introduces XYLO SUV, but Renault tie-up in jeopardy

Behold, "The Great Indian Traveling Machine." According to Mahindra, the company's new XYLO has been completely engineered around the customer, and it is nothing short of a frontal assault on the era of sedans. The Indian automaker's new crossover/MPV spells almost certain doom for a project between Renault and M&M to develop a seven seat version of the low-cost Logan. The XYLO and Logan MCV would compete directly, and Mahindra has gone with its own product instead. 57 Mahindra dealerships will be the elite points of sale for this new vehicle that adds luxury items like captain's chairs, dual-zone air-conditioning, and "flight trays" to a vehicular market that requires ruggedness above all.

The XYLO's powertrain packs a 2.5-liter diesel engine that delivers a run to "60 kmph" in 5.8 seconds. 5.8 seconds to 40 miles-per-hour isn't exactly scorching performance, but it's not like traffic in India fosters wide open running, and being comparatively coddled while stuck in New Delhi gridlock strikes us as a serious selling point. As does its 624,500 INR starting price, roughly $12,700 in US dollars. Laugh at it if you will, take xenophobic shots if you must, but Indian automakers are rounding the learning curve quickly.

[Source: rediff Photos: carwale]