Scoop! XUV500 Petrol caught testing in Chennai

Thank you to Team-BHP fan Muthukumaran.G for sending in these images. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing it with other enthusiasts!

Mahindra recently launched the all-new XUV500. While many buyers have been waiting for word on an automatic variant, it looks like Mahindra is gearing up to launch a petrol variant of the SUV. Team-BHP fan Muthukumaran.G snapped the W8 variant of the XUV500 petrol during a public road test in Chennai at the Chennai airport road. Mahindra has been working towards the improvement of its petrol presence with the reasons being two-fold.

For starters, the gap between petrol and diesel prices has been getting narrower, making many buyers veer away from diesel vehicles, which are more expensive. The second reason would be need to develop a petrol variant to improve its standing in export markets. Reports of a petrol variant for exports came in over three years ago, but given the shift in the market situation, Mahindra will most likely offer the XUV500 petrol in the domestic market as well, especially considering the fact that the vehicle is already a right hand drive model.

While, some reports suggest that the petrol engine will use the bottom block of the existing 2.2L mHawk diesel with the rest of the components being all new, Mahindra has been closely working with SsangYong for the development of new petrol engines, including the motor that will be used on the S101 compact SUV. Another notable addition would be a new 6-speed automatic gearbox - Aisin AWF21 (by Aisin Seiki) mated to the petrol motor.

Like the diesel, the petrol XUV500 will be well loaded offering and will come equipped with features such as four disc brakes, ABS with EBD, 6 airbags, ESP, a smart key and a touchscreen infotainment system with GPS, USB (audio / video), Bluetooth audio, along with a laundry list of additional niceties.