Mahindra is known for its capable and rugged SUVs which can beat any terrain and can go anywhere. They can be driven on and off-the-road. But as we can see, there is no Mahindra SUV with AWD or 4WD right now on sale in the Indian passenger car market. Mahindra is bringing a change by upgrading all their popular cars with an all-new generation like 2021 Mahindra Scorpio, Next-gen XUV500 and, soon to be launched, 2020 Thar. But due to the outbreak of Coronavirus and intended lockdown, there is some time left for these launches.
Mahindra recently announced the BS6 complaint XUV500 which employs the same 2.2-litre diesel engine but it now misses out on automatic transmission and All-Wheel Drive (AWD). The BS6-compliant 2.2-litre diesel engine produces 154 Hp and 360 Nm of torque, paired with 6-speed manual and channels the power to the front wheels only. No visual changes have been added but some variants have been discontinued like the W3 which Mahindra launched last year. You can read more about it here.
Mahindra, before the lockdown, was continuously testing the mules of the XUV500 and it will be very much different from the current generation. The next-gen will surely have the option of an automatic transmission with both petrol and diesel engines but we can't say the same for AWD. We expect Mahindra will retain its true SUV-maker image and give AWD to XUV500.
Mahindra Scorpio is one of the most popular SUVs India has ever got. The macho appeal and high stance give it a separate regal fanbase. Mahindra Scorpio was available with both 6-speed AT and Four-wheel drive system. But in the BS6 update, Mahindra has ditched both the automatic and 4WD variants and it will get a 2.2-litre BS6 compliant engine with 138 hp and 320 Nm of torque. Base variants will get 5-speed manual and the top variants will get a 6-speed manual. There will be a total of 4 variants- S5, S7, S9 and S11.
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Mahindra has confirmed that we will get the next generation of the Scorpio in the middle of 2021. Till then, we have to live with the current ageing generation of the Scorpio which misses out on AT and 4WD too.
The true icon- Mahindra Thar, one of the most affordable true offroader in India which now has been discontinued will be launched in India later this year. The new generation will be leaps and bounds better than the last one. The new generation will be offered with both hard-top and soft-top roof. It is for sure here that the Thar will get 4x4 drivetrain as standard. It will get more features like the touchscreen infotainment system, power windows, dual airbags, ABS and many more. We might get to see the launch of the 2020 Mahindra Thar later this year. The price will fall between 10-12 lakhs ex-showroom.
One more car from the house of Mahindra which used to get 4WD was Bolero but as we checked, it is no more available on the official website which means it has also been discontinued. Hence, right now no Mahindra SUV gets AWD or 4WD but we will receive the Thar in some time while the XUV500 and Scorpio are getting upgraded to their new generations.
