[RavenAvi]

Big thanks to fellow BHPian One:1 for sharing these close, clear spyshots of the upcoming U321 MPV from Mahindra.

New Mahindra spotted testing near Saidapet, Chennai, on 11th Jan.
It was heavily camouflaged and also seemed to have some sort of exhaust/emission testing rig attached to it.
A maroon Innova Crysta with the same test rig was following this Mahindra with the emblems covered up, which can be viewed in the background of a few images. Could not take a separate picture, unfortunately.

[moralfibre]

Spotted what looks like the same MPV with Scorpio lights stuck in the rear:

[RavenAvi]

Interiors of the U321 MPV, spotted by a GaadiWaadi spy.

As evident from the spy shots, the MPV appears to feature a relatively low-set cabin for easy getting in and out while the large windows and tall pillars should provide an airy feel to the cabin. Based on the colour combination and the dashboard layout, it looks to have the build quality and plastics used similar to the TUV300 subcompact SUV.
The dashboard has dark accents at the top section and the AC controls are positioned underneath the seven-inch touchscreen unit carried forward from the XUV while the seats could be upholstered in light grey colour. The instrument console seems to have addition of lavender illumination and there is also presence of a multi-info display. With three rows of seat, the MPV is at the finishing stages of its development and will have four disc brakes and runs on Apollo Apterra tyres.

[Dry Ice]

Originally Posted by RavenAvi

A very reliable birdie claims that the oil burner under the hood of the U321 MPV/S201 SUV is actually an 1.5L mFalcon diesel, and not an 1.6L as is being circulated around.

This 1.5L diesel is codenamed D15 (internally).

And that would save 5.5k on average for your Insurance premiums. Since April'17 TP liability for private cars between 1000-1500cc is ~3000, while for cars > 1500cc is ~8500. If this thing is 1499cc, blessing in disguise.

Calculated decision?

[RoverX]

Originally Posted by RavenAvi

Interiors of the U321 MPV, spotted by a GaadiWaadi spy.

I'm so glad Mahindra didn't go overboard with multiple textures, colours, and shapes in the U321's interior, unlike the Xylo and the XUV5OO. Along with the simple, straight-forward interior design, let's hope the interior quality is also decent enough.

[srinath34]

Managed to click some more pics of the Xylo replacement while I was in Chennai earlier this week. This could be a high end variant with DRLs and alloy wheels. Interior sported a decent touch HU flanked by a piano Black finish like the pics posted earlier.

[MaxTorque]

Probably this model would play an important role in Mahindra's future. As this model is developed by Mahindra's North American development team, they will play pivotal role in development of future models (provided it is hit).

When it will be getting launched? Earlier I heard it will be launched by this February. But yet to see any pre-launch activities.

[RavenAvi]

Caught by YouTube user Gowtham Naidu on the ghat sections of Kotagiri Hills.

Notice the road presence? Looks bigger and wider than the Innova which crosses the test car from the front.

https://youtu.be/bQ4xl5m7ae8

[Shanksta]

I spotted the Mahindra U321 testing on Velachery Main road just 30 minutes back. It is huge and definitely looks wider than my '09 Innova, from which the video was captured. There were three people inside but I did not try overtaking him to get pictures since I was alone.

It is the diesel version as even on light throttle it was emitting black smoke. He stopped at the HP petrol bunk down the road and I carried on. It seems to have a strong Lodgy resemblance from the rear, looks wider than it is due to the styling. But definitely not bigger than the Innova Crysta. But definitely bigger than the Lodgy. Looks like it has only 15" or 16" wheels the sidewall of the tyre mounted on the car pretty tall.

Also if you notice towards the end it had U-350 stuck on the sides against the U-321 we all know.

Just uploaded the video so kindly wait for a bit before you can see it 1080p.

https://youtu.be/pP_hqxmqDcU

[MaxTorque]

Originally Posted by Shanksta

Also if you notice towards the end it had U-350 stuck on the sides against the U-321 we all know.

Good one mate.

If I read correctly, the writing is U050, which means 50th prototype of U321.

[shashanka]

Originally Posted by AutoIndian

As per the article published by carblogindia this UV will have a monocoque chasis........

If M&M give it a monocoque chassis, the question which leaps to the mind at once is - Will it be RWD or FWD? If M&M wish to follow the well-trodden bean-counter's path and give it FWD then of course nothing more need be said. Almost all large WB monocoque examples - mostly sedans like the Accord, Camry, Passat, Teana, Sonata etc all have FWD. It is the easiest, most economical solution, in fact the perfect bean counter's solution. Very few mfrs have the gumption to offer RWD on their large monocoque sedans, MPVs & UVs. It is usually restricted to the upper reaches of the D-segment ruled by the BMWs, MBs, Lexus', Jaguars. Its almost like a "Laxman Rekha" separating the men from the boys, so to speak (with due apologies to the mods!)

If, on the other hand, M&M decide to jump in at the deep end of the pool (monocoque with RWD) one can certainly wish them all the best, keeping all the factors in mind - the leading one being the cost & pricing of the product. One reason why TML chose the traditional body-on-chassis structure for the Hexa. And the Hexa is doing well in the market place.

Of course everything hangs on if & whether M&M really do offer a monocoque design.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by shashanka

If M&M give it a monocoque chassis, the question which leaps to the mind at once is - Will it be RWD or FWD?

With their SUVish XUV 5OO having FWD primarily and AWD optional - only a very slim chance exists that this MUV is going to be a rear wheel drive.

[procrj]

Originally Posted by shashanka

If M&M give it a monocoque chassis

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

With their SUVish XUV 5OO having FWD primarily and AWD optional - only a very slim chance exists that this MUV is going to be a rear wheel drive.

Check the middle pic shared by Srinath34. The rear differential is missing, which points to a FWD configuration. That would in all probability imply monocoque chassis.

Speculating here but could this be based on the Korando? Given the 4.4m monocoque chassis of the Korando, it would have been the perfect donor for this UV. That & the rumoured 1.6L mill that might be powering this UV could imply strong Korean influence. Not a bad thing as long as everything is localised & service centers are trained to care for the car.

[wrongturn]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

With their SUVish XUV 5OO having FWD primarily and AWD optional - only a very slim chance exists that this MUV is going to be a rear wheel drive.

No rear differential present, definitely FWD and monocoque.

[shashanka]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

With their SUVish XUV 5OO having FWD primarily and AWD optional - only a very slim chance exists that this MUV is going to be a rear wheel drive.

Agreed - but no harm in hoping that more domestic majors will take the plunge (just like TML has shown can be done) into the tech-laden, upper end of the segment!

Originally Posted by procrj

Check the middle pic shared by Srinath34. The rear differential is missing, which points to a FWD configuration. That would in all probability imply monocoque chassis.
Speculating here but could this be based on the Korando? Given the 4.4m monocoque chassis of the Korando, it would have been the perfect donor for this UV. That & the rumoured 1.6L mill that might be powering this UV could imply strong Korean influence. Not a bad thing as long as everything is localised & service centers are trained to care for the car.

Yes, the rear differential is not visible in the picture you are referring to. Also, in similar visuals, the rear diff. is not visible in the M-B SUVs, the Porsche Cayenne, the Volvo SUVs or even the Hyundai Santa FE AWD or the XUV 500 AWD version. All these are monocoque units.

The point is that in all the examples mentioned, the rear wheels are independently sprung and the rear diff. is rigidly attached to the underbody (and is hidden from view & forms part of the "sprung" weight), with articulated half-shafts leading from the rigidly located diff. to the rear wheel hubs. For this reason I feel it would be premature to conclude that a hidden rear diff. means that the vehicle is FWD.

But as I mentioned in my earlier post, whether M&M goes in for this relatively high-tech drive-train is what one has to wait for. For my money, M&M will play safe and, as mentioned by CrAzY dRiVeR, opt for a FWD lay-out if they have come up with a monocoque structure.

Originally Posted by wrongturn

No rear differential present, definitely FWD and monocoque.....

I think I have spoken enough!