[DukeNukem]

Just 15 months after it launched the Maxximo Mini Van, Mahindra & Mahindra announced its intention to expand its offerings in the minivan segment with the launch of the upgraded Maxximo Mini Van VX last Friday.

The country’s largest utility vehicle manufacturer is looking to rival Maruti Suzuki’s Omni and Eeco models that dominate this segment, with about 60 per cent market share.

The minivan will be powered by the same two-cylinder 909 cc C2 CRDe diesel engine that puts out 25 bhp and gives a claimed 18-20 km to the litre. The eight-seater vehicle will be available in both BS III and BS IV compliant options.

What’s New?

The new VX minivan has a complete hard top body with sliding doors which is different from its existing semi-hard top variant. It will be available with the air-conditioning feature that was missing in the earlier variant. The company claims that it has 30-40 per cent more room than the Omni.

The VX minivan has a monocoque chassis with booster-assisted Twin LSPV brakes and frontal crash protection as safety features.

At Rs. 3.7-3.8 lakh, it is priced about a lakh rupees more than the Omni and about Rs 40,000 more than the Eeco. However, both these Maruti Suzuki vehicles are available only in petrol and CNG variants, whilst all Maxximos versions run a diesel engine.

After the Maxximo load, the semi-hard top minivan and the CNG pick-up, the VX minivan will be the fourth vehicle to roll out from M&M’s Chakan plant on the same Maxximo platform.

Expectations

The minivan industry in India sells around 20,000 units per month out of which Maruti’s Omni and Eeco account for around 12,000 units, followed by Tata Motors’ Magic and Magic Iris at 4,500 to 6,000 units per month. M&M will expect to ride on the projected 10 per cent growth in this segment. The existing Maxximo minivan already sell 2,000-2,500 units per month and M&M will hoping to add a minimum of 1,500 units per month to that figure.

No images of the Maxximo Mini Van VX are available at the moment. But here is what it could possibly look like, via BHP-ian srimani.



The semi-hard top Maxximo Mini Van:

[scopriobharath]

Originally Posted by DukeNukem

Another competitor, but with the looks, not sure if it would be a hit in the commerical segment. CNG is preferred over diesel now-a-days by cabbies.


Is it just me. This looks like a photoshopped version. PLease look at the roof portion above the door and lot of "wrinkles" can be seen. This happens when we use the "mask" tool in photoshop.

[pradipk]

It's clearly a PS job on the Semi Hard top. As mentioned about the "wrinkles" on door:
- Window's black frame is edited.
- Normal wheels are PSed with the Alloys (wheel arch is clearly edited).

[torquecurve]

It is a photoshop guys. DukeNukem has already mentioned in his post that as images are not available he has used something provided by another team Bhpian.

While, it remains to be seen if this will succeed (case. Venture). Omni/ Eeco are preferred by cabbies now mainly due to the CNG kits which offer cheaper running costs. The aquisition cost of these vehicles is also low, adding to the utility.

[SAE40 in veins]

This vehicle looks to create what segment ???? An all metal panel van with sliding doors and just 25 HP . This rules out an AC or a PS version and any possibility of a decent highway use. That being the context, 3.8 lacs looks way too pricey considering the fact that around 3 lacs can get you an Eeco, 2.5 lacs an Omni and 4.7 lacs a Venture which can all have AC, PS and can hit decent speeds on a highway.

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by SAE40 in veins

This vehicle looks to create what segment ???? An all metal panel van with sliding doors and just 25 HP . This rules out an AC or a PS version and any possibility of a decent highway use. That being the context, 3.8 lacs looks way too pricey considering the fact that around 3 lacs can get you an Eeco, 2.5 lacs an Omni and 4.7 lacs a Venture which can all have AC, PS and can hit decent speeds on a highway.

Exactly I was also having the same thought.
With a closed door, this matures itself into a safe(for music system and speakers) stage carriage van, and nothing more. This cannot compete with any of the said competitors for the features they provide.
The best thing of Maxximo is the immediate pick up but the huge engine whine is always annoying.

[captain.torque]

This is too ugly. I would prefer the Omni or an Eeco over this rubbish anyday. The engine power is unbelievable. Wonder what will happen to it if its fully loaded with passengers and ac on. I am sure I will be able to overtake it on foot.

[silverado]

Omni sells in decent numbers ( 5k - 6k ) but does not have AC option neither does it run on Diesel.

Thus a Maxximo with AC will be unique.
If this is the case it surely should not be having a 25bhp engine.

A fully bodied Diesel van with AC under 4 lakhs can create a new segment.
They will have to alter the looks to ensure it looks more upmarket, esp rear end.

Mahindra why is the need to have slatted grille on every mahindra vehicle?
Off topic : They are planning to redesign logan to have Slats as well.

IMO EECO with 3 pot beat diesel would be a perfect Taxi with AC.

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by silverado

...Mahindra why is the need to have slatted grille on every mahindra vehicle?
Off topic : They are planning to redesign logan to have Slats as well..

For the reason of so called Design DNA.




when ever I see the above this always reminds me :-(

[silverado]

Originally Posted by Ashley2

For the reason of so called Design DNA.

Attachment 956639

The so called design DNA makes Gio look very ugly.
It should be restrcited to certain segment only where it suits the best.

Why cant they have slats on their scooter as well if thats the case.

Imagine Mahindra Duro DZ and Rodeo with slats at front

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by silverado

...
Imagine Mahindra Duro DZ and Rodeo with slats at front

But here it looks still bad..

[girishglg]

Infact the first pic is a PS job of the door but with exactly the same image as posted in the official Mahindra website.

There seems to be no PS of the alloys or the wheel arches but still it gives a fair idea of how it may look with metal door arches.

Afterall how different will it look finally, M & M might not spend a whole lot to spruce up the package with new sheets (I may be pleasantly wrong)

Mahindra Maxximo Mini Van | Passenger Vehicle | School Van | Route Vehicle

[Aditya]

Mahindra has introduced SafeEye, a new safety solution, which will be incorporated in its Maxximo Mini Van VX school bus. The system will allow parents to keep a track of their wards via a live video streaming feed which can be accessed on their mobile phones by downloading an android application. The system will use GPS technology on a 3G network. SafeEye offers features like SMS alerts and location and speed limit tracker for the reference of the parents, school administrators and bus owners.

Link to Team-BHP News Article