Mahindra has added a new variant to its XUV500 line-up, the high-spec W9 variant, starting at Rs 15.45 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the manual transmission version, and going up to Rs 16.53 lakh for the automatic variant. The W9 trim slots below the top-spec W10 and shares it mechanical components with it.
Compared to the W8 variant, the new W9 adds an electric sunroof with anti-pinch and a reverse camera. The 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto, tyre pressure monitoring system, static bending headlamps, Ecosense Technology that keeps a log of your driving style, ABS with EBD, ESP with rollover mitigation, push-button start and keyless entry from the W8 feature on the W9 variant. Unlike the top-spec W10 trim, the XUV500 W9 misses out on the Connected Apps feature.
The manual transmission W9 costs about Rs 1.2 lakh less than the top-spec W10 manual with rear-wheel-drive, while the W10 AT is about Rs 1.14 lakh dearer than the W9 AT.
The powertrain is the same 2.2-litre turbo-diesel mill that puts out 140hp and 330Nm of torque. Transmission options include the six-speed manual and six-speed automatic, though the W9 variant does not get all-wheel-drive, which is reserved for the W10 trim.
Mahindra’s XUV500 rivals the likes of the Jeep Compass, Hyundai Creta and Tata Hexa.
The Indian manufacturer is also gearing up to launch a refreshed Scorpio and is working on a 2.2-litre petrol motor for the XUV500.
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