May 2021 2021 May May OO .9.9

Rs 200 Rs

BOUNCING BOUNCING

SALES SALES

TOUGH YEAR TOUGH

BACK FROM A A FROM BACK ANALYSIS ZX10R KAWASAKI VOL.22 NO NO VOL.22 VOL.22 safari in Satpura safari

Nexon EV on a silent on a silent EV Nexon NEW MAHINDRA XUV700 GT3 911 NEW ISSN 2250-222X ISSN GREEN 2 GREEN DRIVE REBORN

MAHINDRA XU V900 COUPE SUBSCRIPTION COPY COPY SUBSCRIPTION

GT 6 SERIES BMW NEW Total pages 206 + 16-page Mahindra Thar supplement Thar Mahindra + 16-page 206 pages Total

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RS Q8 an RS in lap records

...and ...and a 3,500km road trip in between

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tracks, 3 tracks,

SCORPIO

3 RECORD RUN RECORD

How the brand is reinventing itself with new leadership, new products and a sharper focus and a sharper products new leadership, new with itself is reinventing brand the How

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VOLUME 22 No 9 Cover Story New Mahindra SUVs |First Drive Hyundai Alcazar Prototype |Drive New Porsche 911 GT3 INDIA |

INDIA MAY 2021 261

NEWS NEWS TO SHARE? XUV700 Call: 022-23787500 Email: [email protected] IMAGE

TheEXCLUSIVE Future of Mahindra Q 12 new models in the next five years Q SUV-only model range Q Marazzo, KUV100 to be phased out QFocus on EVs

ometimes, all it takes SUVs,” says Rajesh Jejurikar, when investment can be already been made in key leap ahead of what is presently is one big hit to tell the executive director, Auto and more effectively deployed capital-intensive areas like available. This all-new E/E world you’re still in Farm Sectors. And this is on bread-and-butter product powertrains and an all-new system, developed by Visteon, Sthe game, and more exactly what the company lines and future technologies. electronic (E/E) architecture. will allow future Mahindras to importantly, that you have plans to do going forward. EVs will play a big role in the Armed with new, state-of- have the latest infotainment the power to win it. That In fact, under the new company’s future product the-art mStallion petrol and systems, 360-degree moment of rejuvenation for management of Dr Anish strategy and around 25 mHawk diesel families, which cameras, a suite of connected Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) Shah, the new MD and CEO percent of the total capital are package-protected to features and even Advanced came with the all-new Thar. It of the Mahindra Group, and expenditure for product meet future norms, Mahindra Driver Assistance Systems was a massive hit from the Jejurikar, the promise is to development and expansion doesn’t have to invest in (ADAS), which might become get-go – it won the 2021 focus on nothing other than will be earmarked for EVs. engine technology for the next mandatory with the next stage Autocar of the Year Award SUVs that deliver a strong five years. And with engine of safety regulations. and, with more than 50,000 emotional connect. INVESTING capacities ranging from 1.2 Still, money is tight, which bookings and counting, the While the old guard led SMARTLY to 2.2 litres, Mahindra has all is why Mahindra is only Thar marks a return to form by Dr Pawan Goenka was Mahindra’s capital allocation its future IC-engine-powered spending it where it thinks it for Mahindra, which until now striving to expand Mahindra’s for SUVs and tractors products covered. can win. This means pulling was sputtering along with a horizons by entering the MPV, together is Rs 9,000 crore No investment will be the plug on non-performing product portfolio that wasn’t micro-SUV, and other niche for the next three years, with needed for infotainment product lines, like the Marazzo quite firing on all cylinders. segments, the focus now is an additional Rs 3,000 crore and electronic systems and KUV100. The Marazzo, The success of the Thar clearly back on full-blown investment for EVs. That’s either. Mahindra has already though a very good product, reinforces a new direction SUVs. The thinking is that substantially less than the developed its next-generation fell prey, like many other good the company has embarked there’s no point in wasting previous three-year period ‘Smart Core’ system, which MPVs, to the pincer attack by on. “It’s all about focusing on precious resources chasing investment of Rs 15,000 will make its debut in the the Ertiga and Innova, which, our DNA, which is authentic difficult-to-crack segments crore, but investments have XUV700 and will be a quantum sitting at opposite ends, have

14 AUTOCARINDIA.COM MAY 2021 MAY 2021 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 15 NEXTGEN Design and styling has been a fundamental weakness SCORPIO at Mahindra, and company sources say that Jejurikar’s top priority is to enhance and build the company’s design capability to another level, to give the Mahindra brand a distinct identity. In fact, in an internal note to company employees, Jejurikar said the “company will invest in design to be future ready.” Again, the company is aggressively scouting for the best talent and there’s even talk of a COMPUTER-GENERATED ILLUSTRATION BY POTDAR DESIGN POTDAR BY ILLUSTRATION COMPUTER-GENERATED Mahindra Design Studio being set up in Europe to tap into an ecosystem of global design talent. The future looks very bright for Mahindra, just IMAGE looking at the pipeline of new products planned over the next five years, and as Jejurikar says, “The Thar is XUV900 only the beginning.”

XUV700 (W601 ) Kicking off the long list of SUVs will be the high-on-space and high-on-tech, three-row XUV700. Also on the cards is a lower-priced, 5-seat variant. Pitted against the MG Hector Plus and Tata Safari, the XUV700 promises to obliterate its rivals spec for spec. Top variants will have best-in-class features, and the standout item is the very Merc-like fully digital, twin-panel infotainment and IMAGE instrumentation display. The XUV700 will be powered by the same 2.0-litre cornered the MPV market. As fazed by this setback and feels supply chain and production leadership is nothing less mStallion turbo-petrol as the far as the KUV100 goes, it’s that, since investments in the issues. Mahindra didn’t than fired up, and is wasting Thar, but the big surprise is in a segment that’s way out of engine and E/E architecture manage the transition to no time to claw back lost that power has been bumped Mahindra’s comfort zone. are already done, developing BS6 as smoothly as most ground. A company insider up to a whopping 200hp, Mahindra also no longer the S301 grounds-up “won’t other automakers and says, “There’s a new energy which will make it the most has the luxury of sharing cost more than Rs 1,200 was more impacted by the sweeping through the powerful SUV in its class. The development costs and the crore,” according to a source. semiconductor shortage company, the likes of which 2.2 diesel has been bumped benefits of scale with Ford, But there are other issue. As a result of all these we’ve not seen for decades.” up to 185hp, and both will after the planned JV fell challenges too. The change challenges, its sales and Jejurikar’s first task at hand is come with 6-speed manual through. This means Mahindra in leadership couldn’t have market share fell drastically, to build a strong team, and this and automatic gearboxes. won’t have access to Ford’s come at a more difficult and the company had to sit means further empowering Built on a brand-new, B772 platform, which was to time for Mahindra. The last back and watch traditional a handful of trusted, existing lightweight monocoque, it’s be the base for the next-gen year has been a particularly rivals like senior executives and bringing believed to be around 150kg XUV500 (S301). With a length difficult one for the company, surge ahead. in fresh people too. Jejurikar is lighter than the outgoing of around 4.3 to 4.4 metres, fundamentally because of However, the new on the hunt for the best global XUV500. With an extremely the S301 will be smaller than talent to fill in key positions. A favourable power-to-weight the outgoing XUV500 and company source quips, “The ratio, the company is even positioned as a Creta fighter, c HR department is the busiest targeting a sub-10sec but Mahindra would have to in the company these days.” 0-100kph sprint time for the source another platform to Building strong design and styling Already on board is Dr Uli petrol version. The XUV700 underpin this grounds-up Stuhec, formerly of Ford and is also believed to be coming new model, and that takes capability is a top priority. an industry veteran, brought with ADAS driver aids, time and money. However, in to kick-start Mahindra’s which will include Level 2 the company doesn’t seem d Born Electric programme. autonomous driving. ◊ 14 AUTOCARINDIA.COM MAY 2021 MAY 2021 AUTOCARINDIA.COM 15 CAUGHT ON CAMERA IMAGE

Four-door Thar to expand customer base and bring in family-oriented adventure seekers.

planted look but improves While the TUV didn’t garner for SUVs that are different, the dynamics, which is a much attention, Mahindra is what we hear is that the Aero weakness with the current hoping the Bolero badge will will see the light of day as the version. What also stands spin its magic. XUV900. Built on the same TUV300 gets Bolero Neo name and styling updates. out is a more attractive and platform as the XUV700, it cleaner nose, with Mahindra’s BOLERO UPGRADE likely won’t get the pillarless new three-dimensional grille This is likely to be the last cabin that was showcased, sitting between a pair of LED- upgrade for the Bolero in equipped lamps. its current form. Changes The all-new Scorpio is also are likely to include a bit expected to be larger, more more oomph from under comfortable and nicer to drive. the bonnet, a new Based on Mahindra’s ‘Gen touchscreen on the inside, Spy shots reveal next-gen Scorpio’s squatter proportions. 3’ body-on-frame chassis, and a new headlight it may have a slightly longer and grille combo to help for better cabin give it a slightly updated space and high-speed stability identity that could be a too. Engine options are again a bit different from the 2.0-litre petrol and a 2.2-litre current one. diesel, but the power and torque figures aren’t clear. FOUR-DOOR THAR The Scorpio will be priced Anand Mahindra is believed between the Thar and the to have said that customers XUV700, so keeping the shouldn’t walk away from model hierarchy in mind, we a Thar just because it’s got

BARANI PHOTOGRAPHY - NAMAKKAL - TAMIL NADU - NAMAKKAL - TAMIL PHOTOGRAPHY BARANI expect the petrol and diesel two doors. That comment XUV700 has a more restrained and cleaner design language. variants to develop 180hp was the greenlight for a and 160hp, respectively. four-door version for which development is underway. State-of-the-art engines for NEW SCORPIO rear door looks even more BOLERO NEO The four-door won’t be aimed all its products is Mahindra’s (Z101 ) pronounced now. The side- Basically a reworked TUV300, at individuals, but families trump card. Spy pictures of the all-new hinged door with the spare the Bolero Neo will get a new who want to enjoy the great Scorpio suggest that there tyre under the floor are likely nose, a mildly reconfigured outdoors together. The fact but what you can expect is will be no mistaking one of to continue. interior and a different seat that the bestselling Jeep a funky new interior and an the most iconic SUVs in the The next-gen model has a configuration. Placed slightly Wrangler is also the four-door even more radical nose. And market for anything else. wider and lower stance, the above the regular Bolero, the version hasn’t been lost on wouldn’t the W620 be super The stance and proportions track has been increased and Neo will cater to those looking Mahindra’s product planning as a full-electric? are familiar, as is the window the overall height reduced, for a slightly higher level of team. While the wheelbase will line, and that bulge near the which not only gives it a more comfort and performance. no doubt be stretched to add NEXT-GEN in an extra pair of doors, the XUV500 (S301 ) track too might be widened to Possibly the most critical WHAT’S COMING WHEN enhance stability. model for Mahindra, as it fills Model Launch* Price* Length (m)* Powertrain output* a vital gap in the portfolio and XUV700 (W601) October 2021 Rs 17-22 lakh 4.6 200hp (2.0P), 185hp (2.2D) XUV900 (W620 ) also because the company You’ve seen a version of has to go back to the drawing Bolero Neo End 2021 Rs 9-12 lakh 3.9 100hp (1.5D) Mahindra’s coupe-SUV board to develop it. The S301 Bolero Upgrade End 2021 Rs 8-9 lakh 3.9 76hp (1.5D) before. Known as the Aero was to be based on Ford’s New Scorpio (Z101) Early 2022 Rs 12-16 lakh 4.5 180hp (2.0P), 160hp (2.2D) and showcased at the 2016 B772 platform as part of its eKUV Early 2022 Rs 9-13 lakh 3.7 55hp , this XUV500- JV plan, but after an abrupt eXUV300 Mid 2022 Rs 13-18 lakh 3.9 204hp based coupe made waves. The end to all association with Thar 4-Door End 2022 Rs 14-16 lakh 4.8 150hp (2.0P), 130hp (2.2D) low-slung profile drew a lot of Ford, Mahindra has been attention, but unfortunately left without a platform for New XUV500 (S301) Early 2024 Rs 10-17 lakh 4.3 160hp (1.5P), 110hp (1.5D) there was no business case its Creta fighter. Mahindra XUV900 (W620) 2024 Rs 19-24 lakh 4.7 200hp (2.0P) , 185hp (2.2D) at the time, and so the Aero is likely to use the XUV300 D All-new Bolero Late 2024 Rs 9-12 lakh 3.9 110hp (1.5D) didn’t take off. Now, however, platform as an alternative, Born Electric skateboard 2025 Rs 9.5-25 lakh 3.9-4.5 80-110hp

E TIMAT with the Thar doing wonders but it will have to re-engineer

*ES and buyers on the lookout what is essentially a

16 AUTOCARINDIA.COM MAY 2021 NEWS RAJESH JEJURIKAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Q&A AUTO & FARM SECTORS, MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA

You have taken over on-frame products. at a really challenging First let’s start by time not just for M&M saying we want to be an but the auto industry as SUV-specialised brand. well. Are you daunted When a customer with the job ahead? looks at our product, Future Mahindras will get the latest infotainment system When I joined M&M in they should feel it’s developed by Visteon using ‘Smart Core’ technology. the auto business two an authentic SUV decades back, it was and not a wannabe SsangYong Tivoli platform. position. It will get the same a very difficult time SUV. We also want to One of the weaknesses of 1.5 diesel as the XUV300, but for the company. Our leverage the true DNA the Tivoli platform is that it’s in a higher state of tune. stronghold was soft-top of the brand and have too heavy and expensive, so products, which was the brand tell its own Mahindra will have to knock eKUV declining almost at 25 stories about where off weight and cost from the The eKUV, with a low-voltage percent per year. We had we come from and who outset to make the S301 72V architecture and a to reposition the entire we are. So as we go competitive. Engine options modest 55hp motor, is a bit brand to a very different forward, we will play are likely to be the same that of a stopgap and is aimed at target audience along out to this narrative, were slated for the B772 those wanting a basic EV for with all new products. which is about vehicles platform – a 160hp 1.5 turbo- short runs. Mahindra is in So I am no stranger to with an unmissable petrol and a 110hp 1.5 diesel. the process of upgrading the challenges this company has went into lockdown, so for presence. Another part of The S301’s market name 15.9kWh battery to give it a faced and know that there two months we couldn’t the narrative is vehicles won’t be the XUV400, as longer range and make it more are many things to do to face get anything to ramp up with adventure capability. was widely believed, but will practical. More power would that challenge to transform production. In Q3, we got Now, adventure doesn’t instead bring back XUV500. be nice too, but then you the business. You will recall hit by the semiconductor necessarily mean we will Though a size smaller than would need a larger battery. that in 2000 we had a good shortage issue more than henceforth be only 4X4 or the current model, the portfolio of products in the others, because 90 percent AWD, because we believe company hopes using the eXUV300 oven, the Bolero was ready of our supply comes from adventure is a mindset of XUV500 nomenclature for Mahindra is smarting at the to launch and the Scorpio one vendor and they had a exploring the impossible. was at an advance stage major quality problem in a of development. So after few of their semiconductor So, is the focus going to be getting into this role last suppliers. However, I am just on sharpening the Mahindra c year, I realised that what we waiting for these issues to be brand, making the brand There’s a new energy sweeping have again is a very, very behind us and to get back to attributes clear and making robust base to build on. The normalcy because demand sure your products are through the company. pipeline is very strong, the overall is very buoyant and unequivocally a Mahindra? Thar is a hint of what the we are well poised to deliver Absolutely, and I would company’s product strength a very strong performance. like to reinforce that not d is. When we start rolling out It’s not just Thar, XUV 300, only is it happening at an the S301 will position it in a fact that it lost the first-mover our new products this year, Bolero and Scorpio that emotional level, but also at higher segment. advantage for a compact they will surprise the market, have strong demand, we are a very rational level. So, the e-SUV to Tata Motors, and that’s what excites me. confident the new models brand personification and ALL-NEW BOLERO which started later with the will be winners as well. the brand idea is in a way Mahindra will finally replace Nexon EV and still pipped But you still have emotional, but to deliver its aging warhorse, the Bolero, the eXUV300 to the market. production issues, more The company has stated that is a very well-defined come late-2024. Slated to be Mahindra says the reason so than other automakers. that it wants to focus on process. For example, to say built on the Gen 3 chassis that for the delay is localisation What went wrong? making true-blue SUVs or our SUVs have unmissable underpins the Scorpio and of components to a high There are several reasons. pure SUVs. What is your presence, what does it mean Thar, the new Bolero will be a enough level to make it very One is we have a much higher definition of that? by way of, for example, the big step forward in the areas cost competitive. diesel portfolio overall Let’s erase the word ‘true angle of the A-pillar? There of safety and performance. The first car off Mahindra’s than gasoline, compared blue’ because that clearly are multiple parameters that The next-generation Bolero Electric Scalable and Modular to others. The transition to has a connotation of being a have been defined to ensure will replace both, the Bolero Architecture (MESMA), the BS6 in February 2020 for body-on-frame product. We we don’t lose sight of sticking Neo and the regular Bolero eXUV is likely to come with a diesel needed some parts to are clearly not saying that true to the brand attributes. to consolidate its market 380V system and will also get come in from China, which we are going to be only body- HORMAZD SORABJEE

Time taken to localise eXUV300 lost Mahindra the a choice of two battery packs. BORN ELECTRIC engine car platform, this first-mover advantage. Like its rival from Tata, the SKATEBOARD all-new skateboard will not eXUV300 features changes to Mahindra is betting big on be compromised and will be the design, compared to the this long-term project and optimally packaged. ICE version. The grille and the company is building a The skateboard opens up a front inlet have been blocked Born Electric skateboard world of possibilities, and it’s to reduce drag, it gets more platform that will be the base likely that Mahindra will have aerodynamic wheels, and so for a range of pure-electric a range of EVs from 3.9 to 4.5 that it can be identified as an Mahindra SUVs. Unlike the metres long. First, off the bat electric, there are several blue MESMA architecture, which are likely to be commercial accents as well. is based on an existing IC vehicles, followed by SUVs.

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