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If you were perplexed with the XUV700's naming, you wouldn’t be the only one. After all, the car – codename W601 – was to be the new XUV500. It followed the same template – a transverse engine layout, monocoque body and designed with three rows of seats.
There was also nothing wrong with the XUV500 moniker…
If you were perplexed with the XUV700‘s naming, you wouldn’t be the only one. After all, the car – codename W601 – was to be the new XUV500. It followed the same template – a transverse engine layout, monocoque body and designed with three rows of seats.
There was also nothing wrong with the XUV500 moniker either. Yes, sales have fallen in the decade since its launch, but the name still has good brand value. But seeing just how much of an improvement the W601 was over its predecessor, Mahindra felt it was good enough to be a segment higher. Hence, keeping with the alpha-numeric naming hierarchy, they called it the XUV700. This naming strategy achieved two things; first, it has given the XUV700 a more premium position and second, it has left space below for another product to be badged the XUV500.
Underpinning the Mahindra XUV 700 AX 7 is a brand-new platform, and the company says the new monocoque is 80 percent stiffer than the XUV500’s, thanks to an increase in the number of spot welds and adhesive bonding,Mahindra has worked hard to reduce weight, with the XUV700’s monocoque frame using quite a bit of lightweight high-tensile steel and other weight-saving measures like lighter engines, which weigh around 70kg less than before.
Overall kerb weight ranges from 1,960kg-2,040kg, which is still heavy but it takes into account the additional equipment and safety features the Mahindra XUV 700 AX 7 is loaded with. Interestingly, the rear tailgate is made of composite plastic that’s aimed at weight reduction. However, this could pose a practical problem because, unlike sheet metal, which can be easily repaired if damaged in an accident, the plastic tailgate may need to be replaced if you are rear-ended.
The engine line-up includes a pair of brand-new engines – the latest-gen 2.2-litre mHawk diesel and mStallion 2.0 turbo-petrol – both of which debuted in the Thar. However, power figures have been hiked significantly in the Mahindra XUV 700 AX 7. The base diesel variants get a 155hp rated motor but this output jumps to a class-leading 185hp for higher variants. Taking the power stakes to a different level is the 2.0 turbo-petrol that, armed with variable valve timing, direct-injection and turbo power, produces a class-busting 200hp.
The new platform also makes use of the latest-generation electrical and electronics (E/E) architecture, enabling it to host an advanced infotainment system (from Visteon) and a suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) never seen in a car in this class or price. Mahindra is clearly determined to ‘out-tech’ the competition.
The Mahindra XUV 700 AX 7’s styling is a mature evolution of the XUV500, with cleaner lines and a more balanced look. It sits lower than its predecessor (by 30mm), comes with a muscular bonnet, and a strong new grille with twin vertical bars, which gives it a lot of road presence. A nice touch is the way the outside vertical bars bend and flow into the headlight cluster. Making its debut on the Mahindra XUV 700 AX 7 and sitting proudly in the centre of the grille is Mahindra’s new ‘Twin Peaks’ logo, which interestingly will only adorn the automaker’s SUV range.
The interior design is more straightforward and taking centre stage is a display panel that stretches across half the dashboard. This Mercedes-like tablet houses a central touchscreen and an all-digital instrument panel, both measuring 10.25 inches. It looks very premium and will be a big hit with consumers; best of all, it is offered on all versions except the base, which will get a smaller 8.0-inch infotainment unit and a 7.0-inch instrument cluster.
The dashboard plastics are pretty good and the leather strip looks quite premium, but what is tacky is that instead of extending into the door pads, the beige leather finish gives way to a wood finish that looks cheap and artificial. Also tacky is the piano black glossy finish. Overall, the fit, finish and material quality, though pretty good, have some rough edges.
The petrol and diesel engines on offer get both, the 6-speed manual and automatic gearbox options. While the XUV500’s 155hp diesel carries on only in the base version, higher variants get a more powerful version of the 2.2-litre mHawk unit that cranks out 185hp. This makes the Mahindra XUV 700 AX 7 diesel the most powerful in its class, ahead of the Hyundai Alcazar, with its 115hp, 1.5-litre diesel, and also the Hector Plus and the Safari, which use the same 170hp 2.0-litre Fiat-sourced diesel engine.