Mahindra & Mahindra has launched the XUV500 automatic BS6 variants in India with prices starting from Rs. 15.65 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune) for the entry-level W7 variant. The automaker is offering the Mahindra XUV500 automatic in three variants – W7, W9 and W11 (O). The W9 automatic is priced at Rs. 17.36 lakh, while the W11 (O) automatic is priced at Rs. 18.88 lakh.
Compared to the manual version, the XUV500 AT is priced at a premium of Rs. 1.21 lakh. The SUV comes with an Aisin-sourced 6-speed torque convertor that is paired with the tried and tested 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine. The XUV500’s automatic variants were discontinued in April this year with the transition to the BS6 emission norms and makes a comeback after a brief hiatus
The Mahindra XUV500 automatic BS6 uses the updated BS6 compliant 2.2-litre mHawk diesel motor that develops 155PS and 360Nm of peak torque. The 6-speed automatic will be sold alongside the 6-speed manual currently available. There are no cosmetic changes to the SUV barring the automatic badge, while the instrument cluster gets the gear indicator and a new gearshift knob replaces the H-pattern unit. The automatic variants are identical to their manual counterparts with respect to the features list. Those waiting for all-wheel-drive version on the XUV500, Mahindra is yet to bring back the variant on the SUV.
The Mahindra XUV500 automatic BS6 will compete against a host of automatic rivals including the Tata Harrier, Jeep Compass, Hyundai Tucson and even the MG Hector Plus. The XUV500 AT also locks horns with the Toyota Innova Crysta automatic as a seven-seater automatic offering.
While the automatic variant is expected to be appreciated by buyers wanting to book the model immediately, it is the next-generation version that we are looking forward to. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the arrival of the all-new XUV500 that was scheduled to arrive this festive season but will now go on sale in the first half of 2021. The new-generation Mahindra XUV500 is expected to be unveiled around March next year.
