Report: P.Tharyan; Photography: Mohd. Nasir
Life, they say is all about balancing things. At Mahindra & Mahindra, it has reached perfection. Look at their models, each one scores on the practicality front. The vehicles are a right combination of speed, looks, fuel efficiency, ruggedness, safety, comfort and affordability. Mahindra says that the new TUV300 (pronounce it as three double O) is targeted at the Veer Singh kind of customer. Before you ask me who the hell Veer Singh is, let me tell you he is a tough guy just like me and millions of others in India. He is the one who has taken his destiny into his own hands. He stands up for what he believes in. He has a bring-it-on attitude to life. He wants to leave his mark on the world and take up challenges that are thrown at him. Most importantly, he reflects a bold and macho personality. At the same time he wants his car to be stylish, modern, and an affordable one. In short, the TUV300 is Veer Singh’s car. So if you think you are a Veer Singh, the TUV300 is just the right car for you.
The engine powering the TUV300 is a powerful 1.5 litre mHawk 80 diesel engine with a 2-stage turbocharger. This two stage turbocharger does wonders to the engine and you can experience it the moment you tap the accelerator pedal. For record’s sake, in a two stage system like these, high pressure and low pressure turbos work together and thus at rpms upto 1500 it provides enhanced responsiveness and increased torque.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
mHawk diesel engine with 2 stage turbocharger 1493cc
Transmission
5-speed / 5-speed AMT
Power
84hp @ 3750rpm
Torque
230Nm @ 1500-3000rpm
Fuel
Diesel
Economy
18.49 kmpl in ECO mode
Seating capacity
7 seater (5+2)
Turning circle radius
5.35m
Suspension
Front: Double wishbone front suspension
Rear: Rigid Axle multi-link rear suspension
Brakes
Front
Disc
Rear
Drum
Tyres
215/75 R15
Gross Weight
2225kgs
Fuel Tank Capacity
60 litres
Length x Width x Height
3995mm x 1835mm x 1869mm
Wheelbase
2912mm
Boot space
384 litres (Expandable upto 720 litres)
Price (ex-showroom Delhi)
Rs 6.98 lakh onward (ex showroom Delhi)
Beyond 1500 rpm to around 2000 plus rpm, the turbos again work in tandem but with a different set of functions that results in better optimisation of fuel efficiency and performance at higher engine speeds.
Mahindra’s have always built vehicles that have been tough and rugged. They may not be the best when it comes to extreme luxury and comfort. Yet their vehicles are comfortable and luxurious in a very satisfying way. The TUV300 compact SUV is being offered in several variants—T4, T4+, T6, T6+, T6+AMT, T8 and T8 AMT. As you go up the model range, so do the features get better. When the engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, it delivers a peak 84bhp@3750rpm. With the AMT (Automated Manual Transmission called autoShift) it produces 81bhp@3750rpm. The torque is a stiff 230Nm@ 1500-2250rpm.
We got the T8 model with a manual transmission for a test drive. The Dynamite Red colour got us a lot of attention. As I took it out of my parking for a drive, I noticed some of my neighbours staring at it. Several of them owned SUVs from different manufacturers. I could only spot a few Veer Singh kind of customer around me.
On the looks front---Yes, I now I believe every word that the top honchos at Mahindra said about this vehicle, that its design has been inspired by a battle tank. The TUV300 does have a bold design. The chunky grille, the imposing bumpers, the alloy wheels, the tailgate mounted spare wheel, et al, they are all impressively styled.
The interiors too are impressive, not overloaded with gizmos and features. The dual tone black and beige interiors look good with a dash of chrome and metal finish around it. The hexagon shaped centre bezel looks chic. The infotainment system comprises 2-DIN audio, Bluetooth, USB, and AUX . It has a neat and stylish steering wheel with audio and phone controls mounted on it. It also has a sporty twin-pod instrument cluster. There are lot of storage spaces provided inside, especially on every inside door panel to keep bottles and other knick knacks.
When it comes to driving on the battered Indian roads, especially the roads of a monsoon soaked Delhi, the TUV300 is a clear winner. If any Indian thinks he can drive at speeds above 150km her hour for a long time, he has to be off his rockers. Or else he needs to book the Buddh International Circuit for a very long time. The TUV300 is not a rocket or a missile; it’s a solid vehicle that can touch speeds of 100kmph plus real quick. Thanks to the great suspension, (cushion suspension technology with anti-roll bars), a 3rd generation chassis for superior ride & handling and micro-hybrid technology, the TUV300 rides like a breeze over rough patches and broken tarmac.
As for the safety features, the TUV300 is made of toughened high strength steel body shell for all around impact protection, 3rd generation crash-worthy chassis, to endure low and high speed crashes, front crash sensors and automatic door locking to prevent doors from openly accidently. The company also maintains that the vehicle has hydro-formed crush tips that collapse in case of impact and help protect the passengers. It’s built strong like a battle tank and looks like one too. If you have a hatchback in your garage, then it’s time to buy this Mahindra battle tank.
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