TUV300: Mahindras Next Shot at the Compact Car Segment!

Update: 10 September, 2015, Mahindra has launched its compact SUV, the Mahindra TUV 300 in the Indian auto market today at a price tag of Rs 6.9 lac, ex-showroom, Mumbai. Check out more on the TUV 300 Launch

We have seen a lot of boil in the compact car segments lately, be it the newly launched Ford Figo Aspire, Maruti S Cross or Hyundai Creta, each of these have created turmoil in the auto industry. Both the compact SUV segment and the compact sedan segment have seen new additions in a short span and certainly these add-ons have upped the competition in the respective category. Mahindra has been trying its hands in the compact-car segment from a considerable time. And the latest from the company is the TUV300 (300 pronounced as three double ‘O’), aimed at the compact SUV segment. The car certainly looks promising. Mahindra TUV 300’s price is expected to fall in the 7-8 lac price bracket. As no official word has been released by the company, any estimation of Mahindra TUV 300’s price is speculative. So let’s see if it can help Mahindra get out of its not-so-good experience in the compact car segment.

Before going to the TUV300, let’s do a quick flashback at Mahindra’s stand in the compact car segment. First, it was the Logan that came in collaboration with Renault, it did work but not for long. Consequently, the joint venture between the two firms broke and soon after that, Verito launched, which was a rebadged Logan. This time around, Verito didn’t reach the success touched by the Logan though it still sells, but the numbers are very low.

Likewise, Verito Vibe, the hatchback, also didn't work out as expected. 

Next up, it was the Quanto stacked up in the compact SUV or Crossover segment, though the looks didn’t justify the same. It look a lot like chopped-up Xylo and a job that was done to bring it under 4m constraint, rather than something that was dedicatedly made for the segment. But, it was an okay choice for those looking for a big car that is smartly priced, till the rivals arrived. Over time, it has lost even that little pie of this segment, despite Mahindra bringing in timely updates-certainly because of the competition that comprise of EcoSport, Duster, Creta, S-Cross, etc. 

But, the tough one keeps going on and so is the case with Mahindra. Also they seemed to have realized that they are good as an SUV maker and along comes the TUV300. Certainly, the four most successful cars from Mahindra are SUVs so another one makes sense. The Thar, Scorpio, XUV500 and the Bolero are all doing great in their space.

What the TUV300 Isn’t!

It isn’t a cut-paste job: Mahindra has made it from scratch, be it the design or the testing or the engine. The in-house development has taken place at Mahindra Research Valley-aka MRV, Chennai, with a few design input from Pininfarina.

What the TUV300 Is!

It will be an out-and-out compact car, that will fulfill one's need of a vehicle that handles like a small car, has space comparable to a C-segment sedan and look like an SUV. Though, the utility vehicle part could be more of a real one as Mahindra is marketing it as a true blue SUV.

The appearance is said to be inspired by combat tank contributing to its squared-off cues that comprise of what appears like a sea shell like hood, straight character lines and a tailgate-mounted spare wheel.

Also Read: Mahindra launches TUV 3OO website

On the inside, it will be getting the latest from the homegrown manufacturer, like contemporary dash and paneling, in-car entertainment system and better quality of materials.

Under the hood, it will be the mHawk 80 motor and the chances are that it will be a 1.5-litre diesel mill, probably producing 80bhps.

The bottom line is, as the TUV300 is an under 4-meter vehicle, it will be handsomely priced so much so that it could undercut its rivals. If this happens, it could be a bad news for the competition, especially when we know that Mahindra has a fairly strong dealer network in India.

Watch Mahindra TUV300 – Logo & Vehicle Sketch Reveal Video

Also See: TUV300