The New XUV500 Will Channel The Spirit Of The Funster

2020 Mahindra XUV500

The Current Mahindra XUV500

The car market in India is a hotbed of intense competition between not only the local marques but a host of foreign competitors as well. The apex of this is the lucrative SUV market, and market demands have resulted in the rapid design evolution from practical utility to sleek urban desirability. This is especially noticeable in the top-range XUV500currenly on sale here.

The Mahindra XUV500 is getting an upgrade, delayed to next year because of COVID. Details are scarce, but this is what we know so far.

Earlier this year Mahindra showcased the Funster concept at the India Auto Expo. It was a wild-looking, roofless SUV with an electric engine – clearly not for production. But concept cars provide design direction and rumours float that the next generation XUV500 will bear a strong family resemblance to the Funster.

So far the engine seems to be either the 2-litre mStallion turbo petrol or a 2.2-litre mHawk turbodiesel. The petrol generates 142kW and 380Nm, while the mHawk diesel meets the most stringent BS6 emissions standards and will give you 135kW. You will have a choice of 6-speed manual or torque converter auto transmission. You will get the choice of two-wheel or all-wheel drive.

The XUV will have a brand new monocoque chassis and modern-looking face reflecting the Funster. The Indian SUV market is highly competitive and Mahindra, in any case, is very secretive when testing. Two test mules were spotted, but they were heavily wrapped in layers of heavy-duty wallpaper, with obvious disguises like bolt-on tail-light clusters. The impression was of a squarer vehicle than the current XUV500. The front seems to feature the familiar large grille, but smaller headlamps.

Inside, underneath the driver’s lunch bag and layers of gift-wrap we could discern a fully digital instrument cluster with a huge touchscreen infotainment system, featuring the now-standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The XUV500 will most likely have the same 7-seater configuration as the current edition.

It will have the same high-level safety and luxury features as before, just updated. If, as expected, it carries the genes of the funky Funster, the new Mahindra XUV500 be as popular as the current model and blow the socks off the competition to boot.


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