Zeebiz BureauNew Delhi: After a successful launch in India, Mahindra has now launched its high on demand sports utility vehicle XUV500 in Australia.
Reportedly, the XUV500 launched in the land down under comes with some credibility through four-star safety ratings from ANCAP (Australian New Car Assessment Program). Unlike in India, only W8 versions will be offered in Australia.
The front-wheel drive model is priced at 29,900 Australian dollars (approx Rs 16.58 lakh) and AWD for 32,900 (Rs 18.24 lakh), making it the cheapest seven-seater SUV on the Aussie shore.
The SUV’s mechanicals aren’t any different from its Indian counterpart. The vehicle is powered by the same 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with 140PS of power and 330 Nm of torque.
The SUV’s interiors has features like touch screen-enabled satellite-navigation with LCD, Italian leather upholstery, headlamps with LEDs, Bluetooth-ready audio system, tire pressure monitor and chrome-plated twin exhaust tips.
Back home, XUV500 was initially available in only 5 Indian cities - Pune, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. But due to its heavy demand from across the country, the company has launched the vehicle in Jaipur and Indore recently.
Ever since its launch in India, the car has created a huge storm in the Indian auto industry. The company has managed to keep bookings open for a period of just 20 days.
First Published: Thursday, June 14, 2012, 18:07