SUVs have become a focus area at Ford globally, and of the multiple models in development is a mid-size SUV that will head to India as well. Known by its internal codename B745, the SUV will be built on an all-new platform and will be about 4.3m long. The new Ford SUV's size will put it right in the heart of the hotly contested Indian mid-size SUV segment.
Along with the next-gen Mahindra XUV500-based C-SUV (code: C757), the new mid-sized model will be one of three new Ford-branded SUVs for India. What’s more, the B745 platform will also serve as the base for the long-touted Mahindra XUV400 (code: S204) which Mahindra has greenlighted for production. Remember, Mahindra and Ford have entered into a JV in India and will jointly develop products for our market. Mahindra’s XUV line of SUVs – the XUV500 and XUV300 – comprise monocoque-bodied and front-wheel-drive (or front-biased AWD) models, and the new XUV400 will be no different in its basic architecture.
While the SUVs will be built on a Ford platform and use Mahindra engines, the two models will be different in look – an approach both the carmakers will follow for all jointly developed products. There will be common elements on the inside as well but things like the infotainment systems will be shared. Also, like other models to come from the venture, the duo will be sold from their respective carmaker’s dealerships.
Ford and Mahindra’s SUVs will not be the only new entrants to the mid-size segment in the years to come. Maruti and Toyota are jointly developing their own models; Skoda and Volkswagen will have a model each by 2021; and early next year, the second-gen Hyundai Creta will also go on sale. If you aspire to own a mid-size SUV, be prepared to be spoilt for choice.
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