The SsangYong Tivoli-based sub-4m SUV is expected to be launched in India in the coming months
Mahindra’s much awaited project S201 has been spied yet again. The latest spy shots reveal the interiors as well, hinting that it's nearing its launch. The S201 will be Mahindra’s newest entry in the sub-4m SUV space rivalling the likes of the Ford EcoSport, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and the Tata Nexon. It will be based on the SsangYong Tivoli’s underpinnings.
Pictured: SsangYong Tivoli
The latest spy images of the S201 reveal that its cabin will be identical to that of the Tivoli. That’s not a bad thing given that the Tivoli looks and feels upmarket. The SsangYong also comes with a long equipment list which includes 7 airbags, a sunroof, cruise control, and push button engine start/stop.
While the Tivoli comes with multiple interior themes, the Mahindra S201 will feature a dual-tone black and beige interior with light grey accents, as per the spy images.
As revealed by the spy images, the central console seems to feature a 7-inch touchscreen, perhaps same as the one on the XUV500 that supports Android Auto. The climate control, which looks like a dual-zone unit, has way too many buttons. A dual-zone setup will, however, be a segment-first.
Besides the dashboard, the seats and other bits are also expected to be shared between the Tivoli and the S201. The flat-bottom steering wheel is also borrowed from the SsangYong.
From the front, the S201 is quite reminiscent of the Tivoli. The headlamps, for instance, seem to be a straight lift from the Tivoli, which features LED projectors for low beam and multi-reflectors for high beam along with daytime running LEDs. The rear profile, as we have seen in previous spy shots, will be redesigned entirely and might not bear any resemblance to the Tivoli.
The S201 is expected to be powered by the turbocharged version of the KUV100’s 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine along with Mahindra’s existing 1.5-litre 3-cylinder diesel that powers its two body-on-frame sub-4m SUVS -- the TUV300 and the NuvoSport. However, unlike these two, the S201 will have a 6-speed manual transmission, as spotted on the test mule. The 6-speed manual is expected to be offered as standard, like on the Tata Nexon.
With the recent model updates and launches, the price range of the sub-4m SUV segment has widened and so has the equipment on offer. At the lower end, you can buy a Nexon powered by a petrol engine starting from Rs 6.15 lakh while on the higher end, you have the EcoSport with a turbocharged petrol engine that costs Rs 11.37 lakh (all prices ex-showroom Delhi). Going by the kind of equipment that appears to be on offer, the S201 is more likely to slot into the higher end of this spectrum.
Check out: New Ford EcoSport S: First Drive Review
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