Mahindra rolls out Vibe, keeps costs down with 80% parts from Verito saloon sibling

Mumbai, June 5, 2013: Mahindra & Mahindra has launched the Verito Vibe, the sub-four-metre version of its Verito saloon.

Initially believed to be a hatchback, the Vibe is actually a compact saloon with the boot hinged at the bottom of the rear windscreen. Unlike most carmakers that are building compact saloons from existing hatchbacks, the carmaker has taken the reverse route by creating a hatchback-like two-box derivative of its Verito saloon.

The Vibe’s styling has been done in-house and M&M says it has invested Rs 60 crore in the project. The car’s rear windscreen is sharply raked and is straddled by large tail-lights that sit on the C-pillar. Ahead of the C-pillar, the car is identical to the Verito saloon. The interiors are also carried over and space is great for a small car.

M&M has managed to keep costs down and 80 percent of the parts that go into the Vibe are from the Verito. The supplier of the tail-lights, which have a unique in-house design by M&M, is by Motherson Magneti Marelli Auto System. The Vibe is powered by the same proven 64bhp 1.5-litre DCi Renault diesel engine that has been powering the Logan and later the Verito since 2007. Since the Verito’s 1.4-litre petrol engine does not qualify for the excise benefits offered to small cars and there is no engine option below 1.2 litres (to get the advantage), M&M has sensibly not bothered to offer the Vibe with a petrol option. The Vibe delivers an ARAI-certified mileage of 20.8 kilometres per litre.

The Vibe is available in three variants – D2 (Rs 5.63 lakh), D4 (Rs 5.89 lakh) and D6 (Rs 6.49 lakh, ex-showroom, Mumbai). The top-end D6 gets equipment like ABS, driver airbag, 2 DIN music system with CD, MP3 player, USB and aux in, alloy wheels and a rear defogger. Bluetooth connectivity is missing though.

Pravin Shah, chief executive, Automotive Division, M&M, said at the launch today, “The Verito Vibe has been developed on the global and proven quality platform of the tried-and-tested Verito and is well suited for Indian road conditions.” The Verito Vibe competes with the likes of the Chevrolet Sail U-VA and Toyota Etios Liva. M&M will be hoping the Vibe gives it new traction in the market this fiscal. The company recorded flat sales in April 2013, posting year-on-year growth of only one percent and followed it up in May 2013 with a 5.5 percent increase with sales of 22,244 units (May 2012: 21,154).