Mahindra develops petrol automatic XUV500 for export markets

Mahindra is developing a petrol powered XUV500 primarily for export markets.

This petrol motor is likely to produce 140 bhp, identical to the 2.2 litre diesel engine's figure. Torque figures still remain unknown. The bottom block of the petrol motor will be shared with the diesel unit while the rest of the engine components will be all new.

Another notable addition will be a new 6-speed automatic gearbox - Aisin AWF21 (by Aisin Seiki) mated to the petrol motor. This petrol + automatic combination is expected to be the preferred choice among buyers in the overseas markets. Mahindra is likely to start exporting the petrol powered XUV500 in 2015.

There is also a possibility of the petrol automatic XUV500 making its way to Indian showrooms at a later stage. However, if history is an indicator, petrol SUVs have never really been preferred by majority of the car buyers in India.

Source: Motoring World