Team-BHP renders the Mahindra S101 compact SUV

Indian car & utility vehicle major, Mahindra &Mahindra has been testing a compact SUV over the past few months. The compact SUV, code-named the S101, is said to be a product that will sit under the Quanto, in terms of price and positioning. Team-BHP's rendering artist, AntlerRoad, has put together this speculative render of the Mahindra S101, based on the various spyshots of the SUV on the interweb.

The Mahindra S101 compact SUV is expected to compete with B-segment hatchbacks in terms of pricing to signify its value proposition as a butch yet compact alternative. A high ground clearance and seating capacity for 6 adults could be the other highlights of the S101. A unique front seat construction, with the gear shifter located on the dashboard will be instrumental in the S101 being able to accommodate 6 adults, in a 3+3 layout.

This seating layout will give Mahindra designers the leeway to package the compact SUV in a sub-4 meter form factor. On a side note, a similar seating layout will also be seen on the upcoming Datsun GO hatchback, a budget car that will be launched in early 2014. The S101 could take the monocoque route, a-la-XUV500, as Mahindra's second SUV to adopt such a body construction. 

As the Quanto's body-on-ladder frame has resulted in the compact SUV tipping the weighing scale at a portly 1,640 kilograms, the monocoque construction for the S101 is expected to boost fuel economy and performance while cutting tail pipe emissions. Engine options on the S101 could include the 1.5 liter-3 cylinder turbo diesel engine from the Quanto and a motor from the new crop of small capacity petrol engines that Mahindra is jointly developing with its South Korean acquisition Ssangyong.

Rumours suggest that the 1.5 liter twin turbo diesel engine on the Mahindra S101 will be mounted transversely (east-west layout), making for a front wheel drive layout. Apart from boosting fuel economy, such a layout will also reduce weight. A 2014 launch time line is likely for the Mahindra S101 compact SUV, with a sub-5 lakh rupee price tag for the base variant.