Kathmandu

After garnering huge success with  XUV500, Mahindra is all set to introduce the facelift version of the SUV — New Age XUV500. Agni Incorporated, authorised distributor of Mahindra  plans to launch the SUV by mid-July in the Nepali market. The company will introduce three variants of the model — W10, W8 and W4. The SUV was launched in the Indian market on May 25 last month.

“The new version of the SUV has incorporated superior features as per customers’ feedback,” said Sijan Neupane, Marketing Manager at Agni Incorporate, adding, “We expect customers will equally appreciate the SUV like its preceding model.” According to him, the tentative price of the SUV will range from Rs five million to Rs seven million.

The SUV is powered by the same 2.2-litre four-cylinder mHawk diesel engine that generates a power of 140 bhp at 3,750 rpm and a peak torque of 330 Nm at 1,600 to 2,800 rpm. Beneath the hood, improved dynamic torque delivers driving pleasure on any terrain. The enhanced suspension gives you a superior ride and handling.

As for its styling, the changes in the exterior of the SUV include new high-intensity headlamp clusters with projector ‘S’ shaped daytime running LEDs, chrome enriched grille and fog lights, and wider air dam. The headlamp has the ability of lighting up curves when you turn the steering to tackle one. Armed with its bold new styling enhanced by intimidating cheetah-inspired exterior, the company claims it to be the real headturner.

The door handles are also slightly restyled, and the car also projects its name on the ground from the outside mirrors now – though you can only appreciate that after dark.

There is now a start-stop button, and the infotainment touchscreen has grown an inch to seven-inches. The theme is now blue (unlike the earlier red) – on the touchscreen graphics, the instrument cluster and the car’s ambient lighting. There is also a reverse camera thrown in besides the earlier parking sensors.

The vehicles’ ESP Electronic Stability Programme) system supplied by Bosch has been upgraded. The new ESP 9 system now offers more precise cornering and better lane-keeping capability at high speeds. The car also has brake energy regeneration that feeds power to the battery.

Most of these features will be offered on the higher spec variants. There is now an all-new W10 variant on the SUV, which offers a sunroof and 17” alloy wheels. The existing three variants W4, W6 and W8 will stay on — though all carry the basic styling and all mechanical changes. All-Wheel-Drive will be optional on the W8 and W10.

Encounter XUV500

Engine: 2.2-L 4-cylinder mHawk diesel

Maximum power: 140 bhp at 3,750 rpm

Maximum torque: 330 Nm at 1,600 to 2,800 rpm

Tentative price: Rs five million to Rs seven million