An all-new, small SUV will feature in Mahindra’s line-up for 2018, codenamed S201. The car will be a direct competitor to Hyundai’s Creta and will be based on SsangYong’s Tivoli, a car that was first showcased in India at the 2016 Auto Expo. The car has been spotted testing in many parts of the country.
Underpinning this car is the Tivoli’s X100 platform, and the upcoming SUV will be a five-seat, compact SUV. Test mules reveal a raised ride height and higher profile tyres to make it look more like an SUV and to help tackle India sad. Based on the Tivoli, the S201 is expected to come with a lot of kit, including dual-zone air-conditioning, seven airbags, ESP, smart key system and leather interiors.
The car will feature Mahindra’s new generation of powertrains developed with SsangYong, with capacities ranging from 1.2 - 1.6 litres and abiding to Euro VI emission norms. The S201 could feature a smaller 1.5-litre diesel engine though. An electric version is also in the works, but whether or not the car gets an electric powertrain is uncertain.
This will be the first vehicle to be launched with collaborative efforts from Mahindra and SsangYong.