XUV500 automatic version launch tomorrow

Mahindra will launch the automatic variants of the XUV500 in India on Wednesday. The new transmission is expected to be offered with both the two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive variants, to tackle the competition from the recently launched Hyundai Creta.

The XUV500 is expected to use the same six-speed automatic transmission from the Scorpio, with a manual and winter/wet mode. The car will continue to use the same 2.2-litre engine producing 140bhp and 330Nm of torque. While we were expecting Mahindra to launch the XUV500 AT for a while, the success of the Hyundai Creta AT might have prompted the move.

Instead of offering the automatic in the top-end trim of the XUV500, Mahindra might introduce it on the W8 variants to keep the pricing in check. Mahindra’s flagship SUV already commands a premium over the Hyundai Creta and all the other five-seater SUVs; the introduction of the AT will further increase the difference.

The AT transmission is expected to carry a premium of around Rs 50,000 over the manual transmission. By that logic, theXUV500 W8 AT will be priced around Rs 15 lakh, which is about Rs 1.2 lakh more than the Creta. For the extra money, the XUV is a significantly bigger car and offers two extra seats.