Mahindra & Mahindra showcased the XUV300 with the new mStallion turbo petrol engine at the 2020 Auto Expo. The new motor was expected to debut with the XUV300 Sportz edition in April 2020 but the pandemic hit the world and launch plans were indefinitely delayed. Nevertheless, the company is back on track to launch the facelifted SUV instead a little later in 2022. Teasers are out suggesting the same for the very first time.
Mahindra will be using this opportunity to update the petrol variant line-up on the XUV300 and the new turbo petrol engine will now be offered across the range. The new 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine belongs to the mStallion family. The T-GDI motor develops 130PS and 230Nm of peak torque and is paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox and 6-speed AMT. It will be positioned above the 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine that develops 108PS. Compared to the existing powertrain options, the new mStallion motor makes about 20PS and 30Nm more in terms of power figures. This will make the XUV300 the most powerful subcompact SUV on sale.
Mahindra however, still could also carry over from visual upgrades from the Sportz edition showcased at the Expo including the red brake calipers, sporty decals, all-black interior with contrast red stitching on the seats, and more on the top-end variants. This means we cannot rule out the possibility that the current 108 PS petrol powered variants could be offered to customers in first three variants. These variants will be low on features and price just like how the XUV 300 current on sale is which received a price and feature cut. Will there be more power in diesel too? Who knows!
What is also expected on the 2022 Mahindra XUV300 is the inclusion of new head and tail lamps on the outside. New alloy wheels and color schemes could be on offer too. The Interior could see a new center console, dashboard and speedometer to make it even more appealing than before.
Our readers would remember that the 1.2-litre mStallion turbo petrol engine would’ve also graced the engine bay of the Ford EcoSport under the Mahindra-Ford joint venture. That model was also expected to go on sale around the festive season last year. However, as things stand. The JV broke last year and Ford has already announced its exit from the India exiting its mass-market range.
Meanwhile, Mahindra has a new and focused SUV lineup coming up right from the new-generation Scorpio. The next-generation Mahindra XUV300 is currently developing and will arrive sometime in 2026 and will be based on the 5-seater XUV 500 that is set to come in 2024 which will finally rival the Creta, Seltos, Taigun, Kushaq, Kicks and Duster. The 5-Door Thar is on the works, the 3-door Thar is a success, XUV 700 belongs to lucky one’s as the rest of the 80,000 people wait and the Scorpio creates a biggre bang with over 1 lakh bookings.
