Mahindra readying Toyota Innova Crysta rival

Mahindra & Mahindra is working on Toyota Innova Crysta rival which has been spied testing on Indian roads. The upcoming all-new Mahindra premium MPV which is codenamed as Mahindra U321 is likely to be a replacement for the Mahindra Xylo. To be developed locally at Mahindra’s plant in Nashik, the MPV is speculated to arrive in the domestic market by early 2018. Continuing its testing phase, the U321 MPV yet again has been seen testing alongside its arch rival Toyota Innova Crysta. Also, the MPV could make its official Indian debut at next year’s Delhi Auto Expo.



Moreover, Mahindra has also revealed that the MPV will be manufactured at the Nashik plant wherein the company will be investing approximately INR 1500 crore in Nashik as well as Igatpuri facilities. Designed at the Mahindra North American Technology Center (MNATC) in Troy, Michigan, the new Mahindra U321 MPV will be built on monocoque platform.



Going by the spy images, the test mule of the U321 MPV is heavily camouflaged which sports Mahindra’s signature style grille, albeit the U-shaped unit which seems to be similar to the Imperio pick-up. Likely to be developed from grounds up, the all-new premium offering from Mahindra will be a 7-seater model when it is introduced in the market. Feature-wise, the MPV could be equipped with equipments like touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto, climate control system, start/stop functioning and more.



As far as the engine specs are concerned, there is no official word from the company regarding the same, however, it is believed that the MPV will be equipped with 1.99-litre mHawk engine which also does duty on Scorpio and XUV500. It is also rumoured that the company introduce bigger 2.2-litre diesel unit. The transmission functionality will be carried out by a 6-speed manual gearbox while an automatic unit is also likely on the cards with front wheel drivetrain system.


Expected to be slotted in the price bracket of INR 10 lakh to 16 lakh (ex-showroom), the Mahindra U321 premium MPV will be pitted against the likes of Tata Hexa, Toyota Innova Crysta and Renault Lodgy. With the testing phase just commenced, more spy images of the MPV are expected to emerge ahead of its official debut.

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