2021 Mahindra XUV500 to be previewed as an electric SUV concept

Mahindra is preparing to unveil a wide range of vehicles at the Auto Expo 2020 and the biggest or most significant of the cars will be the next generation Mahindra XUV500 presented as an electric SUV concept.

The new-gen Mahindra XUV500, which hit the testing circuit late last year, will be built on a completely new platform and will replace the current model that has been on sale since 2011 with significant changes. The new C-platform is confirmed to underpin a second SUV from the joint venture between Mahindra and Ford for the Blue Oval to fill the white space between the EcoSport and the Endeavour.

The new Mahindra XUV500 will sport LED headlamps and tail lights, DRLs, larger touchscreen infotainment system and more. The SUV has been spotted on test several times including new interiors. Spy pictures show bolstered seats with improved support, repositioned AC vents that now reside below the centre console and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. On the outside, the new XUV gets 18-inch alloy wheels, flush-type door handles that pop-out, a la Range Rover Velar, a wider grille and horizontally set foglamps. The roofline, though slightly more raked in the second gen model, is close to that of a conventional SUV.

On the engine front, the XUV500 will receive BS-6 compliant petrol and diesel engines (2.0L capacity) with automatic transmission and four-wheel drive as options as well.

It would also be interesting to see whether Mahindra will throwback to the design features of the Pininfarina-styled XUV500 Aero Coupe that it unveiled at 2016 Auto Expo on the new XUV electric concept. While Mahindra had reportedly confirmed that it has green lit the Coupe concept for production for the second generation, there hasn’t been any news after that. It was said at that time that only an electric powertrain was under consideration for the vehicle. The XUV500 Aero Coupe was intended to be the flagship model for Mahindra Electric.