Mahindra has just launched a more powerful variant of the TUV300, priced at Rs 8.98 lakh for the manual and Rs 9.72 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the AMT. The new variant will be only available in the top-spec T8 trim level. In both guises, the more powerful TUV300 commands a premium of Rs 8,000 over its less-powerful sibling.

The new variant may look just like the regular TUV300 from the outside and the inside, but there is one major change that differentiates it from its sibling. This new variant is powered by an mHawk100 engine, instead of the standard model's mHawk80 unit. This results in an increase in power and torque output to 100hp and 240Nm respectively, from the standard TUV300's 85hp and 230Nm.

The mHawk100 engine is the same unit that is seen in the Mahindra NuvoSport. In terms of layout and capacity, the engine is similar to the mHawk80 (1,498cc, 3 cylinders), but changes to its calibration allow the higher power output. It comes mated to either an AMT or five-speed manual gearbox.

The 100hp TUV300 will be sold alongside the 85hp TUV300. Both of them will also feature a larger rear seat cushion to increase thigh support for rear passengers. The car receives no other changes.

The underwhelming performance of the 84hp TUV300, and subsequent customer feedback are said to have prompted Mahindra to bring out this more powerful version. In fact, the TUV300 mHawk80 that weighs upwards of 1,600kg is among the slowest cars we have tested in recent times; in the manual guise, 0-100kph takes 19.52 seconds.

Read our review of the 102hp TUV300 to find out how this extra grunt translates in real-world performance.