[narayan]

Additionally favouring the FWD layout is the fact that they are using a relatively smaller engine and with goals for better Fuel efficiency, FWD is the way to go. The market would react quite positively to a Innova-sized MUV delivering FE on par with C segment sedans. This car is clearly gunning for the Honda City, Ciaz, Verna segment.

[jaganpec2002]

Originally Posted by shashanka

But as I mentioned in my earlier post, whether M&M goes in for this relatively high-tech drive-train is what one has to wait for. For my money, M&M will play safe and, as mentioned by CrAzY dRiVeR, opt for a FWD lay-out [b]if they have come up with a monocoque structure.

Isn't TUV3OO RWD? I thought TUV3OO plus and this new MPV are based on the same platform so would be RWD.

[procrj]

Originally Posted by jaganpec2002

Isn't TUV3OO RWD? I thought TUV3OO plus and this new MPV are based on the same platform so would be RWD.

TUV & TUV300 Plus share the same scorpio platform but this is a new platform and hence the possibility of it being a monocoque FWD UV.

[shashanka]

Originally Posted by jaganpec2002

Isn't TUV3OO RWD? I thought TUV3OO plus and this new MPV are based on the same platform so would be RWD.

Yes, that would be a logical conclusion to draw. But this is standard spinning that mfrs employ before a launch to keep public & media guessing and to keep the pot boiling!

[JediKnight]

FWD in my experience does not work well for MPVs. If you try to drive a fully loaded MUV on steep incline the rear axle gets loaded and the front axle lacks the traction required. I have seen fully loaded Innovas ( previous generation ) on steep slopes and she handles with aplomb. I saw loaded Lodgys struggling in similar conditions with spinning front wheels/torque steer. Just did not have the authority the Innova had.

[volkman10]

Mahindra's MPV to get the 130 hp new Mahinda - Ssangyong developed 1.6 diesel engine branded M Falcon.

- to take on Innova Crysta and Hexa
- will be lighter than the above 2 MPV's
- AC vents for all 3 rows

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBAzqGJETvM

[MaxTorque]

Will Mahindra unveil this MPV during this edition of Auto Expo? There is no official word from Mahindra yet. So thought of checking.

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by MaxTorque

Will Mahindra unveil this MPV during this edition of Auto Expo? There is no official word from Mahindra yet. So thought of checking.

Mahindra's flagship SUV( XUV7OO?) will be the only unveil.

[volkman10]

Mahindra's MPV seen on test again in Chennai!











Link

[rajshenoy]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Mahindra's MPV seen on test again in Chennai!

Attachment 1730935

Is that a sun-roof ? Just wondering because MPV mostly come with roof mounted AC vents and may not be possible to have sun-roof

[shashanka]

Originally Posted by JediKnight

FWD in my experience does not work well for MPVs. If you try to drive a fully loaded MUV on steep incline the rear axle gets loaded and the front axle lacks the traction required. I have seen fully loaded Innovas ( previous generation ) on steep slopes and she handles with aplomb. I saw loaded Lodgys struggling in similar conditions with spinning front wheels/torque steer. Just did not have the authority the Innova had.

I have observed this first hand on the unpaved, kaccha roads of Uttaranchal (and mentioned it too elsewhere in the forum), but in my case they were FWD sedans - an Ikon & a City - and not FWD MPVs.

FWD MPVs, as you mentioned above, would logically have bigger issues, with their larger W-Bases. And if they are well-loaded with luggage in the boot (as the Ikon & City were), then the problem would be compounded!

[RavenAvi]

Spotted testing by 2 different IAB readers at Chennai, followed by the Renault Lodgy and the Toyota Innova as benchmark cars.

The Mahindra U321 features projector headlamps with black bezels, LED DRLs housed along with the fog lamps, and a toothed grille. The test mule can also be seen sporting split-spoke alloy wheels.

[Subby]

Apparently this car is not overdesigned like many of its siblings. It can fill the void bewteen Toyota Innova and Maruti Ertiga et al.

Will it be a rear wheel drive as discussed in earlier posts? To my understanding, rear wheel drive is preferable for heavy vehicle as the load gets transferred to rear during acceleration or in positive incline. With shifted load the rear driving wheels gets better grip to move.

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by Subby

Will it be a rear wheel drive as discussed in earlier posts?

I would love to be wrong on this one, but it's most likely to be FWD. Mahindra's flagship is a FWD monocoque based one and there is no reason for Mahindra to go back to RWD for this MPV, especially since the platform is monocoque.

[shashanka]

Originally Posted by DicKy

I would love to be wrong on this one, but it's most likely to be FWD. Mahindra's flagship is a FWD monocoque based one and there is no reason for Mahindra to go back to RWD for this MPV, especially since the platform is monocoque.

So would I! In fact the Lodgy's sales failure in our market has more to do with the drive-line (FWD) than other things I feel. It is a perfectly competent vehicle in its own right (as vouched for by owner's in the Lodgy thread) apart from the FWD issue. And with a W.B. longer than the Innova's (281 cm vs 275 cm), going up steep inclines in fully loaded state would remain an issue.

Regarding monocoque vs body-on-chassis, as you mentioned, the flagship is FWD - but has the AWD option. Therefore, to remove the FWD components while retaining the RWD drive-line would be no big task for M&M. What would be of course is the pricing! Monocoque RWD-ers is diving straight into the upper segment-end of the pool! And whether M&M would risk it is a moot question.