Mahindra & Mahindra launches Xylo MAXX 9 seat MPV

Cab operators in India are notorious for squeezing in as many passengers as they can in their cabs. Often, cabs plying in semi-urban and rural India are overloaded to the hilt. So, any product that gives the cab operators additional seats to accommodate more passengers sells well in semi-urban and rural markets of India, where utility counts over all else. Think Force Toofan and its ilk.

Eyeing the people mover space in semi-urban locations of India, Mahindra & Mahindra has launched the 9 seater version of the Xylo, dubbed the D2 MAXX. This MPV is available in both BS3 and BS4 versions. The BS3 variant of the Xylo D2 MAXX is priced at 7.12 lakh rupees, ex-showroom Mumbai, a price that makes it undercut its direct competitors such as the Toyota Innova and the Nissan Evalia.

The Mahindra Xylo in D2 MAXX guise dumps the front-facing, third row for two rows of side facing seats. Consequently, seating capacity (including the driver) of the Xylo goes up to 9, in a 2+3+4 layout. The Xylo is also available in 7 (2+2+3) and 8 (2+3+3) seater variants.

The D2 MAXX variant of the Xylo, like its D4 sibling, is powered by a 2.5 liter mDI CRDe turbo diesel engine that outputs 93.7 Bhp of peak power and 220 Nm of peak torque. The engine is mated to a five speed manual gearbox that drives the rear wheels of this people mover. The Xylo D2 MAXX's mileage is an ARAI rated 14.95 Kmpl.

Cosmetically, the D2 MAXX variant can be distinguished from other variants through the black front and rear bumper, black door handles, black grille, black wing mirrors and steel wheels. Evidently, Mahindra has chosen to give body coloured parts a miss considering the positioning of the D2 MAXX variant as a cut-price people mover.

The Mahindra Xylo is available in four other variants: D4, H4, H8 and H9. The H4, H8 and H9 variants are powered by the 2.2 liter mHawk turbo diesel engine that outputs 120 Bhp-280 Nm. All variants of the Xylo are rear wheel driven. Top end variants of the Xylo get twin airbags, ABS+EBD, reverse sensors, voice assisted functions, cruise control, steering mounted audio controls and a 2 DIN factory fitted audio system.