Also read: Mahindra KUV100 launched at Rs 4.42 lakh
Officially revealed in mid December, the new KUV100 is Mahindra entry into the compact SUV segment. Set to launch on January 15, the new compact SUV will sit below the TUV300 and the Quanto in Mahindra’s line-up. Previously codenamed S101, the compact SUV also forms the platform for the launch of Mahindra’s all-new family of engines.
Design
Designed at the Mahindra Research Valley near Chennai, the KUV100 gets a round and muscular appearance, unlike the box-like profile of the larger TUV300. Mahindra has gone with a modern crossover look for the KUV100 rather than the upright and boxy styling of the TUV300. The crossover gets a cab forward design with the A-pillar starting after the front wheel arch. This could mean a roomier interior on the model.
Up front, the KUV100 gets a slim high-set grille with vertical slats flanked by large wrap-around headlamps with LED elements. The car also sports a prominent front bumper with dual air dams, angular fog lamps and a faux skid plate and the multi-layered appearance of the unit makes the car look more grown up. The bonnet features a clamshell design and gets prominent lines that adds to the car’s character.
Along the flanks, the car gets prominent character lines along the front fender and door and over the rear wheel arches. The squared wheel arches and high-set fenders add to the car’s muscular appeal while the sloping roofline gives it more sporty appeal. The rear doors additionally feature pillar-mounted door handles – a design previously seen on the Chevrolet Beat.
At the rear, the character line over the rear arch continues over the tail-lamps and finishes at the tailgate. The tail-lamps are large simplistic units that merge into the tailgate while the rear bumper, like at the front, gets a layered appearance that gets a part-colour, part-body cladding finish.
Rivan RS 
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
