Mahindra launches XUV500 in Australia
Sydney, June 14, 2012 : Indian automobile and tractor manufacturer, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. – a part of the USD 15.4 billion Mahindra Group, has moved into the world of aspirational sports utility vehicles (SUVs) with the launch of its international contender, the Mahindra XUV500 (pronounced XUV five-double ‘o’).
The company’s first global platform, the Mahindra XUV500 was launched late last year in India with a simultaneous unveiling in South Africa. It has received much acclaim since then with bookings selling out within days of the launch, leading to an increase in production. The Mahindra XUV500 has also received over 20 awards from the automotive fraternity in India, clear testimony to this global SUV’s appeal.
The Mahindra XUV500 is very attractively priced for the Australian market, particularly considering the very comprehensive list of standard equipment
“The Mahindra XUV500 is a world class SUV offering an unbeatable combination of aspirational styling, advanced technology and safety features, comfort and convenience. For us, it embodies our corporate philosophy of ‘Rise’ as the team deployed alternative thinking to deliver outstanding technology and performance, ensuring great value. Customers in India and South Africa have greatly appreciated its strengths and I’m sure that it will prove a worthy contender and find favour in the Australian market as well,” said Ruzbeh Irani, Chief Executive - International Operations (Automobile and Farm Sectors), Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd and Member of Board of Directors of Mahindra Automotive Australia.
The Mahindra XUV500 is the first global SUV from the Mahindra stable that has been completely designed and developed around the global customer, with extensive product validation and testing done across Europe, Australia, South Africa and India.
Mahindra’s latest contender in the highly competitive international SUV market has been likened to an African cheetah in terms of both its appearance and performance. The Mahindra XUV500 is seen as having a body styling line ‘inspired by a pouncing cheetah’ as well as its physics-defying agility, along with a ‘cheetah-inspired jaw-like grille’ and vertical ‘paw-styled door handles.’
The XUV500 offers front wheel drive and all wheel drive derivatives all powered by a transversely-mounted four-cylinder, 2,2-litre mHawk turbo diesel engine which develops 103kW of power at 3 750r/min and 330N.m of torque between 1 600 – 2 800r/min.
The turbo diesel offers an impressive driveability thanks to a flat torque curve at low RPM. This also helps in giving the XUV500 a towing capability of 750 kilos for an un-braked trailer and 2500 kilos for a braked trailer.
Transmission is a six-speed manual, with a low ratio transfer box for the all-wheel drive model. The all-wheel drive system on the W8 4x4 model has an interactive torque management system which switches seamlessly from two-to four-wheel drive.
It is a spacious seven-seater SUV of monocoque construction with an up-to-date mechanical specification and a high level of standard equipment. This stylish SUV is available in a range of five exterior body colours.
The XUV500 is built on a unique platform. Suspension is independent on all four-wheels, with minimal body roll when cornering hard. Steering is by power-assisted rack-and pinion, with a kerb-to-kerb turning circle of 11.2 m. Braking is by four wheel discs with anti-skid ABS, electronic brake distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist. Wheels are 17 inch diameter alloys fitted with P235/65R tyres.
Driver aids include automatic hill descent and hill hold, while all three models have cruise control, Intellipark front and rear park assist, light-sensing headlamps and rain-sensing windscreen wipers.
Safety features include electronic stability control (ESP) with a rollover mitigating sensor, airbags and crumple zones in the safety cell body. The xenon swivelling, projector-type headlamps are another important safety feature, as is the Tyretronics system which monitors tyre pressure and temperature. Front fog lamps are standard on all three models.
The spacious interior offers not only plush comfort with two-tone leather upholsetry but also a very high level of standard equipment.
Convenience items include dual-zone climate control, as well as power windows and remote central locking. The exterior rear view mirrors are electronically adjustable and can be folded flat when driving in a confined space.
Infotainment is right up to date. It includes an FM radio/CD player with a shuttle which is controlled from a centrally-mounted 15 cm touch screen with a navigation system as well as MP3, USB, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity. There are also six speakers with built-in tweeters.
The Mahindra XUV500 has convenient steering wheel-mounted controls for the cruise and audio controls and the system includes the use of voice commands.
The integrated driver information system reports on vital information such as fuel tank range and tyre-monitoring. The Intellipark reverse park assist uses the LCD screen to indicate the distance between the rear bumper and an obstacle behind the vehicle. There are several storage units, including sufficient room for a laptop in the glovebox and a cool box in the central console.
The Mahindra XUV500 is built at Mahindra’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the region of Chakan, near the city of Pune, in India. This new plant was built on a greenfield site in a Special Economic Zone. This region is one of India’s largest automotive hubs. Besides the Mahindra plant, this area hosts facilities operated by General Motors, Volkswagen, Skoda, Daimler, Land Rover, Fiat and Tata, amongst other auto manufacturers. These operations are supported by a growing number of component suppliers and service providers who have set up operations in the area.
Besides this plant in Chakan, Mahindra operates an engine plant and four other vehicle assembly facilities at other locations in India.
About The Mahindra Group
The Mahindra Group focuses on enabling people to rise. Mahindra operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, information technology and vacation ownership. Mahindra has a presence in the automotive industry, agribusiness, aerospace, components, consulting services, defence, energy, financial services, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steel and two wheelers.
components, consulting services, defence, energy, financial services, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steel and two wheelers.
A USD 15.4 billion multinational group based in Mumbai, India, Mahindra employs more than 144,000 people in over 100 countries.
In 2011, Mahindra featured on the Forbes Global 2000 list, a listing of the biggest and most powerful listed companies in the world. Dun & Bradstreet also ranked Mahindra at No. 1 in the automobile sector in its list of India’s Top 500 Companies. In 2010, Mahindra featured in the Credit Suisse Great Brands of Tomorrow.
In 2011, Mahindra acquired a majority stake in Korea’s SsangYong Motor Company.
For further information, please visit www.mahindra.com
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About Mahindra Australia
Mahindra Automotive Australia is a subsidiary of Indian automotive manufacturer, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. It was formed in 2008 for distribution of the Mahindra range of vehicles in Australia. With over 30 dealers in rural and metro NSW, VIC and QLD, SA and WA, the company is well positioned to offer a value for money workhorse to both rural and tradesman markets across the country.
M&M entered the Australian market in 2007 with the launch of the Mahindra Pik-Up which was distributed by TMI Pacific (a division of the Tynan Motor Group). Mahindra vehicles are now imported and distributed by its subsidiary, Mahindra Automotive Australia. Having proven itself under the tough Australian conditions, the Mahindra brand has garnered a strong consumer following and advocacy in the market.
Aside from automotive, Mahindra is also present in the aerospace, farm equipment and IT businesses. In 2009, the company acquired two Australian aviation companies - Aerostaff Australia (AA) which is a component manufacturer of high-precision close-tolerance aircraft components and assemblies for large aerospace OEMs and Gippsland Aeronautics (GA) one of Australia’s most reputed aircraft producers.
Mahindra started its tractor operations in Australia in 2005 by setting up its assembly facility in Brisbane and has since acquired a leading position in the Australian tractor industry. Mahindra Tractors offers heavy duty, rugged and reliable tractors in the 20 to 85 HP range in the Australian market.The company not only retails its tractors in Australia but in neighbouring markets like New Zealand, Fiji, New Caledonia etc., as well, through a well-established network of 50 dealers.
Mahindra Satyam, one of India’s leading IT companies, has a very strong presence in Australia where it has been present for the last decade. The company has key clients in the banking, insurance and aerospace domains. Close to 1000 Mahindra Satyam associates work out of key cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Perth.
For more information visit www.mahindra.com.au
For further information please contact Ms. Roma Balwani, Senior Vice President & Group Head, Corporate Communications
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
Phone: (+91-22) 2490 1441
Fax: (+91-22) 2490 0830
Email: balwani.roma@mahindra.com