Upcoming Mahindra MPV being tested in Chennai

The upcoming Mahindra MPV (Codenamed U321) which is being developed by automaker’s research and development centre in Troy, US, has been spotted testing in Chennai for the first time. The new product will lock horns with the Toyota Innova Crysta.

While Tata is in the process of converting their Aria premium MPV into a Hexa SUV owing to lack of response in the market, Mahindra is fancying the MPV segment.

However, the Innova Crysta’s exceptional sales performance proves that there is enough potential in the market for an upmarket people carrier. The prototype is fully camouflaged but the front fascia has a familiar Mahindra flavor to it.

The MPV prototype was reported to be accompanied by the new Innova Crysta, the new benchmark in the segment. The silhouette is typical of an MPV while the overall size appears to be pretty close to that its primary rival.

Based on a new platform, the MPV’s development location strongly indicates that Mahindra has global aspirations for the product. Powertrain details are scarce as of now but if we were to hazard a guess, we would put our money on the new downsized 1.99-litre mHawk diesel engine. There is also a very high chance that a petrol option will be offered right from the launch.

We expect the Mahindra MPV to be launched sometime in 2017.

This article first appeared on Rushlane.com