Mahindra has launched its new XUV700 crossover in Australia exclusively with front-wheel drive, a petrol engine and seven seats, but more variants are set to arrive during its lifecycle.
When asked whether all-wheel drive, a diesel engine, and a five-seat layout were on the table, Mahindra’s automotive boss Veejay Nakra confirmed they were.
“All of that is in consideration, but for every variant that we launch, we need to homologate it as per those standards, so right now we are launching with this,” said Mr Nakra.
“All those are in the plans.”
Indeed, one other variant – a five-seat model called the AX5 – has already been certified for sale, according to government approval documents.
Such a model could give the XUV700 an even sharper base price. Until August 31, the current seven-seat base model – the AX7 – is priced at $36,990 drive-away, though it’s unclear what this will change to past this date.
In addition to the 147kW/380Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine offered locally, the XUV700 is offered in India with a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four in three tunes.
Two of those tunes come only with a manual transmission, a non-starter in Australia, while the third produces 136kW of power and 450Nm of torque and comes with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Only the diesel engine is offered with all-wheel drive in India, with the petrol engine a front-wheel drive-only proposition.
Mahindra also says it’s looking at other interior colour options. The AX7 and AX7L grades come standard with off-white leatherette, but the company says it’s looking at a black interior option given our desire for darker interiors in Australia.
One thing that won’t be coming to the local XUV700, despite its availability in India, is the company’s connected services platform, AdrenoX Connect.
That’s despite the presence of AdrenoX badges both on the dashboard and exterior of the vehicle.
In India, the AdrenoX Connect smartphone app allows you to do things like remotely start the vehicle, track its location, and adjust the windows and sunroof.
The XUV700 went on sale in India in 2021 as a replacement for the 2012-vintage XUV500, but is only just now going on sale locally having been delayed due to global supply chain woes.
