National rally champion Gaurav Gill has a new ride for 2019. Is it any good?
![Mahindra XUV300](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/4599/333152/5c764199c0d9e/Mahindra-XUV300.jpg)
EVERYBODY WANTS AN SUV. Something taller, higher, less prone to being bullied and less likely to scrape its underside over a speed breaker; something like a white Scorpio, the fastest thing on Indian roads (even faster if there’s a flag stuck to the dash). With buyers barrelling towards everything big and bad, you’d think Mahindra, an out-and-out SUV manufacturer, would have a field day. Except… no. The meat of the action is in compact SUVs: a segment where the Brezza is making hay, where Tata Motors has rediscovered respectability with the Nexon, where Ford once shone brightly, where Hyundai are readying their QXi and Jeep are still to make up their minds on the Renegade. No, we haven’t forgotten the KUV 100 and TUV 300 but they haven’t really set sales charts on fire, have they? Not since the early days of the XUV 500 have Mahindra had an SUV that can clock 10,000 units a month, and this is what their hopes are pinned on, the XUV300.
Based on the Ssangyong Tivoli
That it took so long is the surprising bit, but the good news is it’s finally happening. Tata Motors raided the Jaguar Land Rover parts bin for the Harrier and now Mahindra have leveraged the product development abilities of Ssangyong for the XUV300.
In its home market, the Ssangyong Tivoli commands 35 per cent market share and I don’t need to tell you that South Korea isn’t an easy market to make hay in. The Mahindra XUV300 uses the same X100 platform, obviously toughened up for Indian roads with the overall length trimmed to fit under four metres and take advantage of the lower excise duty for sub four-metre vehicles — the rule that has fuelled this whole craze for compact SUVs.
Oh, and Mahindra have gone and re-styled the nose and rear of the Tivoli. Google the Tivoli. Mahindra have definitely done a better job on the styling front with the XUV300!
This story is from the March 2019 edition of evo India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2019 edition of evo India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
FAST STEAD
This Skoda Octavia RS 230 is fast enough to blow your mind but not its engine
![Ford Fusion](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4599/724582/611a4aad6a672/crp_Ford-Fusion.jpg)
Ford Fusion
Practical, great engine and dynamics, but weird styling ensured buyers stayed well away
Mahindra Bolero Neo
Armed with an iconic badge, a fresh face and a mechanically locking differential, the Bolero Neo could just be the compact SUV you’ve been looking for
RISING FROM THE ASHES
The third generation Suzuki Hayabusa is one of the fastest production motorcycles in the world, and a bike that truly deserves to be ridden flat out at the High Speed Track at NATRAX
![BIJOY KUMAR Y](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4599/724582/611a59dd645a4/crp_BIJOY-KUMAR-Y.jpg)
BIJOY KUMAR Y
Bijoy is quite looking forward to what the recent space launches could mean
DOA: HSV HRT 427
This racing-inspired 7-litre Holden Monaro garnered more than enough interest for its limited production run to sell out. But sadly the sums didn’t add up
Mini Cooper S Convertible
Mini gives the Convertible a more modern front end, more technology on the inside and a very bright paint scheme
VW Taigun GT
Good news! With two GT variants, Volkswagen are set to make the 1.5 TSI motor even more accessible to us enthusiasts
![THE DOCTOR CHECKS OUT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4599/724582/611a4bb36041e/crp_THE-DOCTOR-CHECKS-OUT.jpg)
THE DOCTOR CHECKS OUT
As Rossi decides to hang up his boots after 26 seasons, we take a look back at his journey through MotoGP
![“IF THE RATING IS DONE, NATRAX COULD BE ONE OF THE TOP THREE PROVING GROUNDS IN THE WORLD”](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4599/724582/611a557ba7636/crp_Speaking-to-Dr-N-Karuppaiah-additional-director-and-centre-head-NATRAX.jpg)
“IF THE RATING IS DONE, NATRAX COULD BE ONE OF THE TOP THREE PROVING GROUNDS IN THE WORLD”
Speaking to Dr N Karuppaiah, additional director and centre head, NATRAX