[Guna]

If it is just the 'Chip shortage', what stops them to showcase the design and create some buzz, like what Skoda/VW is doing? I have a strong feeling that this has something to do with the Mahindra-Ford JV which has now been called off. It is possible that both parties are not allowed to reveal/sell anything which was affected by this JV until the formalities are over.

[k_ajay]

Originally Posted by fhdowntheline

Somewhere I have this feeling that Mahindra is not too sure about the success of brand '5OO going forward, coupled with the fact that they may have a crowded segment from 13 lac through 20 lac, with the new Scorpio, Thar and '5OO sharing the same powerplants potentially. In my view, the Scorpio carries a stronger brand recall than the 5OO.

And add the upcoming Alcazar to that mix. I doubt Mahindra would be that helpless to price and launch it right, but their challenges may surely not have reduced given how the market is so dynamic is the 14L-30L space.

Originally Posted by Guna

If it is just the 'Chip shortage', what stops them to showcase the design and create some buzz, like what Skoda/VW is doing? I have a strong feeling that this has something to do with the Mahindra-Ford JV which has now been called off. It is possible that both parties are not allowed to reveal/sell anything which was affected by this JV until the formalities are over.

You make a pretty good point. It may or may not be right, but definitely a good point, something to think about.

[GTO]

An auto industry insider told me that the damn chip shortage is the auto industry's own damn fault. Car manufacturers got petrified after the Covid hit, lockdowns, job losses, impeding recession etc. and told their chip suppliers to drastically reduce supplies. No one expected the market to recover the way it did, except for a few brands like Maruti, Hyundai, Tata etc.

Originally Posted by fhdowntheline

Somewhere I have this feeling that Mahindra is not too sure about the success of brand '5OO going forward

On the contrary, this is their only premium product that has the potential to bring volumes. Competition might be fiercer than when the 1st-gen XUV500 launched, but the 15 - 20 lakh crossover / SUV space still has the potential to give thousands of monthly sales with F-A-T profit margins.

[revvharder]

Originally Posted by GTO

An auto industry insider told me that the damn chip shortage is the auto industry's own damn fault. Car manufacturers got petrified after the Covid hit, lockdowns, job losses, impeding recession etc. and told their chip suppliers to drastically reduce supplies. No one expected the market to recover the way it did, except for a few brands like Maruti, Hyundai, Tata etc.

It's true even Linus Sebastian from LTT made a video about the chip shortage issue and how car manufacturers made a mistake a week back.

It's covered around the 3:30 mark.

https://youtu.be/3A4yk-P5ukY

[swunkjyn]

I think this buys more time for Mahindra to perform rigorous testing, check the niggles and work on them to give a better product. This version is going to be filled with gizmos and hoping that they lead to a pleasant experience of owning the car.

[Pulse500]

Originally Posted by GTO

An auto industry insider told me that the damn chip shortage is the auto industry's own damn fault.

Miscalculations in demand estimation do happen in most businesses. Mahindra might have chosen conservative planning instead of aggressive, if the production is really affected due to chip shortage. Or they were not proactive enough or did not see the opportunity to lock deals at better prices. Any Ford or Ssangyong angles?

The other possibility is that they are looking at standardization of parts/subsystems. Having common hardware systems / parts across different vehicles/models (except specific differences due to fuel types) can be very helpful in supplier diversity, savings costs, logistics, spares management etc. There is also an opportunity to periodic enhancements / upgrade by keeping backward compatibility in many cases - Sensors, ECUs, ICE system, electricals etc. and saves overall development / re-test timelines.

Imagine, (other than chips) if manufacturing of another critical part procured exclusively through a part maker is adversely affected for a long duration due to any major accident, natural calamity, compliance issue, human error or labor issues.

Standardizing parts and supplier diversity is critical for contingency and business continuity planning. COVID made sure business leaders are reminded of several core principles.

[dhanushmenon]

Originally Posted by TrackDay

It been ages now, that the test mules have been spotted without any release date in sight. Although the chip issue is a real one, not every potential customer is going to wait for a car because of that. The safari is having a gala time right now and firing on all cylinders with no competition in sight. Meanwhile.

Attachment 2138682
Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/CM3i7QTA-_V/

While I agree to your views expressed about the wait for the car release, that meme is a stupid one. You could have avoided sharing it here, as it is essentially negative propaganda which offers no value to the thread. May find a slot in the 'Automotive Memes Thread' though

[TusharK]

2nd-Gen Mahindra XUV500 Diesel 6-speed MT variant spied

The second generation Mahindra XUV500 was recently spotted in Ooty. The SUV seen in these images is the Diesel version equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission.



We've seen the XUV500 test mules quite a few times in the past and therefore, instead of commenting on the exterior, let's just jump straight into some of the interior details.



Interior

• The SUV has a large dual screen setup which includes a digital instrument cluster and the touchscreen infotainment head-unit.
• This variant is equipped with automatic climate control, wireless charging, cruise control but misses out on features like electronic parking brake and auto dimming IRVM.
• A rotary drive mode selector is positioned next to the cupholder.

Seats

• The XUV500 has three rows of seats with adjustable headrests for all rows. The third row of seats has a 50:50 split.
• The front passenger seat appears to have a lever on the backrest to enable second row passengers to move the seat forward.
• This particular variant has ventilated front seats.

Other observations

The Diesel 6MT variant seen in these images is equipped with LED headlights that have integrated LED daytime running lights. It has a shark fin antenna, frameless wipers and diamond-cut alloy wheels with disc brakes on all four corners.











Thanks to Ahmed for sending these images in. Heartfelt gratitude for sharing them with other enthusiasts via this Team-BHP page!

Link to Team-BHP News

[ohaak]

Originally Posted by TusharK

2nd-Gen Mahindra XUV500 Diesel 6-speed MT variant spied

• A rotary drive mode selector is positioned next to the cupholder.

How effective are these drive modes on a FWD? Traction control was there in the first generation itself.

[swunkjyn]

One thing I couldn't help notice was the placement of the Stick shift or the Gear and the Hand Brake. Aren't they too close to each other, I know that the hand brake has been applied. Or could it be the angle of the shot taken.
The gap between them doesn't seems to be more than 2 to 3 inch. Hand brake also seems to be like a "J" shaped.

[a.bhatt]

The gear and hand brake are not in the same line. Gear is located in the center of the console while hand brake is aligned with the driver's seat.
I am looking at the driver hand rest, is it really usable. I guess it would be adjustable but if it is moved forward for the current seat position, it would cover the drive mode selector.

[jasjotbains]

The test mule was on a practice run today in Hosur. Couldn't get any images but apart from the changes at the front, there seems to be no overall change in the basic shape of the vehicle

[MaanSingh]

Originally Posted by jasjotbains

The test mule was on a practice run today in Hosur. Couldn't get any images but apart from the changes at the front, there seems to be no overall change in the basic shape of the vehicle

That's a good thing, existing XUV 500 stance and basic shape is better than its 7 seater segment rivals like Safari/Hector+/Crysta IMHO

[darkLightning]

Apologies if this has been discussed before, but looking on the camouflaged test mules and current XUV500 alternately gives the feel that ground clearance is going to come down a little bit. Anyone else also getting similar feelings ?

[jasjotbains]

Originally Posted by darkLightning

Apologies if this has been discussed before, but looking on the camouflaged test mules and current XUV500 alternately gives the feel that ground clearance is going to come down a little bit. Anyone else also getting similar feelings ?

It seemed so with test mule. Whereas usually the rear looks slightly raised than the front, there was no such observation with the test mule. It kind of looked like they put the same suspension at front and back