A heavily revised version of the outgoing Quanto, the compact SUV gets a restyled front fascia and refreshed interiors that are more refined and modern.
04 Apr 2016 | 7696 Views | By Jaiveer Mehra, Autocar India
Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has launched the NuvoSport with prices starting at Rs 7.35 lakh (ex-showroom, Thane). A heavily revised version of the outgoing Quanto, the compact SUV gets a restyled front fascia and refreshed interiors that are more refined and modern. The styling at the rear remains near-identical to ...
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Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has launched the NuvoSport with prices starting at Rs 7.35 lakh (ex-showroom, Thane). A heavily revised version of the outgoing Quanto, the compact SUV gets a restyled front fascia and refreshed interiors that are more refined and modern. The styling at the rear remains near-identical to the outgoing model.
With the launch of the TUV300, Mahindra has a new sub-four metre SUV which could kill the Quanto’s sales that have dwindled to two-digit numbers. Therefore, Mahindra has chosen to overhaul it substantially and relaunch the Quanto as a new vehicle.
With the NuvoSport and the TUV300, Mahindra now has two sub-four metre, seven-seater SUVs (both with AMT gearbox options). However, the automaker has positioned the TUV as the tougher SUV while it says the NuvoSport is a more refined vehicle aimed at the urban market. Mahindra hopes to take on Ford’s EcoSport and the recently launched Maruti Brezza with the new NuvoSport.
Speaking at the launch, Pravin Shah, president & chief executive, M&M said, “Today Mahindra enjoys leadership position in the Indian SUV market. We are committed to retaining this leadership through a class-leading product portfolio, which we offer for meeting the entire spectrum of customer aspirations at various price points. While our current SUV portfolio is quite comprehensive, we identified a need gap where consumers are looking for a true blue SUV that will enable their active lifestyles. The launch of the NuvoSport with its unique positioning encourages consumers to go out and fulfil their bucket lists in the area of adventure sports. We are confident the NuvoSport will emerge as yet another winner from our stable.”
The company states that the NuvoSport is based on an all-new platform and features the new-generation chassis from the TUV300 and Scorpio. The engine is a new 101.4hp, 1.5-litre, three-cylinder diesel motor badged mHawk100 paired to a five-speed manual gearbox as standard. The engine comes equipped with two drive modes – Power and Economy. The engine develops 101hp and 240Nm of torque. A five-speed AMT gearbox is available as an option. The new motor, though similar in output to the older Quanto’s unit is part of the company’s all-new family of engines and closely related to the unit under the hood of the TUV300.
Inside, the NuvoSport retains much of the old car’s interiors but with bits now borrowed from the TUV300. The compact SUV continues to offer a 5+2 layout with jump seats in the boot. The feature list has also been revised with the top-spec model getting features such as a touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, leather upholstery, cruise control, front dual airbags and ABS. Mahindra is also offering the NuvoSport with the option of dual airbags and ABS as an option on its lower variants.
The NuvoSport is being offered in six variants – N4, N4+, N6, N6 AMT, N8 and N8 AMT – with the mid and top variants getting the AMT gearbox option.
Also read: M&M to produce up to 18,000 units of NuvoSport a year