It was just last month when we brought you the first spy images of Mahindra's upcoming MPV. While there is still no word on what will it be called, the mystery MPV has been spotted yet again, but this time up close and with some production ready parts as well. Like the previous test mule, this one was also heavily camouflaged and was caught testing in the outskirts of Chennai. It is too soon to comment about its launch but it is understandable that this upcoming 7-seater MPV will be a direct rival to the Toyota Innova Crysta.
Last time when we brought you the spy shots of the MPV, the images were shot from a long distance, which is why we couldn't comment much on the MPV's exterior profile. Though the car is still heavily camouflaged, this time, the images are much clear and reveal a number of new information. For starters, the MPV comes with some production-ready parts like large bug-eyed projector headlamps, new ORVMs, and what appears to be production tail lamps. That said, the latest test mule also misses out on a few thing that the previously seen test mule had, which includes the Mahindra Imperio-style chrome grille up front.
Now there is a lot that is still unknown about this new test mule. It could be the next generation Xylo, which hasn't received an update for a long time. It could also be an all-new model in entirety under all that camouflage, but it is too soon to comment on anything. Although judging from these and the previous spy images, it is clear that this MPV will be a 7-seater or an 8-seater. The vehicle looks relatively longer than the Xylo and comes with large overhangs at the front and slightly shorter ones at the rear. It comes with a humungous front bumper with dual central air dams and muscular bonnet that is longer and a lot more slopping than what you'll find in the Xylo.
Mahindra MPV's Rear Profile
That said, Pawan Goenka, the executive director of Mahindra and Mahindra early this year had announced that they are working on two new platforms and one of them will come out in next 14 or 15 months. Now though the thought is a bit farfetched, we cannot completely ignore the possibility of this new MPV being a product of the upcoming new platform.
With the ban on 2000cc and above diesel vehicles being lifted in Delhi and NCR, there is no doubt that under the hood the MPV will most likely come Mahindra's popular 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine. That being said, Mahindra is also working on a new 1.5-litre petrol engine for the XUV500 and we might get to see the new powertrain in the upcoming MPV as well, especially considering that Toyota has already launched the petrol variant of the Innova Crysta.
Image Source: TeamBHP and GaadiWaadi
