[Venkatesh]

Mahindra has launched the Bolero Neo in India at an introductory starting price of Rs 8.48 lakh (ex-shoowroom).



Powered by the 1.5-litre three-cylinder diesel engine which produces 100hp and 260Nm(up by 20Nm), and comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Bolero Neo comes with a dedicated Eco drive mode.



The new Mahindra Bolero Neo gets a fresh looks upfront. The headlights have been re-profiled and also been updated with Mahindra’s new six-slat chrome grilled design.

At the rear, the Bolero Neo gets a new X-type spare wheel cover with Bolero branding and a spoiler as well.



On the inside the Bolero Neo gets a completely new instrument cluster with re-worked dials and a new MID screen in between. Other updates to the interior include new beige fabric upholstery.



Other standard features include a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, steering mounted audio controls, cruise control. Standard safety features include ABS, EBD and CBC, dual front airbags, reversing parking sensors, and optional ISOFIX mounts.



The top-spec N10 trim even comes equipped with a mechanically locking differential.

Price announcement of the Bolero Neo was earlier slated for July 15, but was preponed by the manufacturer.

Source

[Venkatesh]

The Bolero brand completes 20 years in India with over 1.3 million units sold so far and now the range expands with Bolero Neo.

Veejay Nakra, CEO-Automotive Division, M&M told us, "We made a lot of changes to bring the 'Bolero-ness'. And that combination of the classic 3G platform which goes into Scorpio, which goes into Thar, which went into the TUV, with the Mahindra well-respected mHawk engine – and that was the genesis of creating the Bolero Neo."

Bolero Neo in pictures Link























Bolero Neo launch event

https://youtu.be/HcBL4MilC8o

[padmrajravi]

Cant believe Mahindra decided to offer MLD in top variant. Could be to cover for the TUV's infamous rear wheel slip. Good job anyway. No car in that price range will cover that axle bender shown in the picture. TUV anyway had MLD optionally for people who complained about rear wheel slip. So Mahindra did not have to do anything significant . But offering that from factory in top varaint does wonders to the street creds of the SUV. In the world of raised hatchbacks, Bolero NEO will now stand tall.

On another note, if they can fit it with a torque converter AT, it will wash away all the bad press garnered by TUV AMT. I hope that is also in the plan.

[saikarthik]

As already seen through spy shots, the product looks more matured in front look and overall an acceptable stance without the roof rails as well.

Areas where I feel there is slight miss are

• Wheels (both alloy design and size - looks small a bit),
• No rear overhang or acceptable shape - still feels like chopped off model,
• I hate the spare wheel cover, a typical old Bolero cover looks more rugged.

But my question are,
1. What took them so long for minor changes?
2. Are we going to see TUV 300 plus as Neo plus with these changes and added powertrain options? I doubt it with all the work on M&M's hands with new products.
3. Though the old and actual Bolero is going to be sold together, how in future they are targeting to pull the rural loyal crowd? I think just using "Bharat mantra" won't help there much.

Originally Posted by procrj

They had to get this 3 pot 1.5L BS6 ready, hence the extended timeline.

Yes Sir, I understand and also Covid-19 happened. But this was probably taken with less priority due to new models and update on other fast moving models in their stable (to meet BS6 timeline). But I still think it was too much time.

[procrj]

Originally Posted by saikarthik

But my question is, what took them so long for minor changes?

They had to get this 3 pot 1.5L BS6 ready, hence the extended timeline.

Are we going to see TUV 300 plus as Neo plus with these changes and added powertrain options? I doubt it with all the work on M&M's hands with new products.

I doubt that as the 300 Plus was never really launched. It was quietly slipped into the market for consumer testing by M&M.

Good to see cruise control and MLD offered but there is nothing new here. CC was always available on the Nuvosport (anyone remeber that?), which was basically an upgraded Quanto, which is the mechanical father of the TUV. MLD has anyways been tested by many TUV owners.

If Mahindra was really serious about the Bolero Neo, they would have launched it with the 4 Cyl 1.5L engine from the XUV300 + 6 speed transmission. This is again an half harted attempt from M&M to launch a product that is neither here nor there.

[ashis89]

Can't help but notice a major 'Bolero-ness' change that M&M has implemented - the side plastic/rubber trim running along the side and connecting the headlamps with tail lights

Once again, Mahindra wants to position this as a premium but similarly rugged alternative to the Bolero. But they already have the Scorpio for it. And this is just same old TUV wine in a Neo bottle.

While the old generals Bolero and Scorpio exist, this will be tough sell. Like Procj mentioned, lack of USP will kill it.

[drumbrakes]

The top-end N10 variant is ₹ 11.51 Lakh (On-Road Price, Delhi). This ticks so many boxes for a buyer from rural India or for someone who wants a 'big' SUV but can't afford a Scorpio.

Bolero name has always been associated with cheap & abuse friendly. Scorpio is the more powerful & expensive brother to bolero. Mahindra is targeting the masses who don't really care for 3 or 4 cylinders. This is 'modern' yet abuse friendly with ECO mode. It sounds good on paper, as price & fuel mileage are two of the very important factors of a buyer from rural India.

I was expecting Mahindra to do a G-Wagon with Bolero like they took 'inspiration' from wrangler for the new Thar. Maybe next gen bolero then?

[Himanshu809]

I don't see this car becoming a huge success under any scenario. TUV300 was not a complete failure and even the not so keen customers will spot that it's just a rebadge because of the kind of uniquely boxy body-shell.

Maybe they will move some units regularly in semi urban and rural areas but that's it. Very few people in the metro cities will go for it because 'Bolero' screams desi/rural (not that that's a bad thing in itself). Let's see if the conventional Bolero customers go for the bait or not.


Mahindra needs to buck up or else judging by how things are going, Tata is going to completely dominate Mahindra in the upcoming years. And to be honest, if that happens, Mahindra would've deserved it.

[extreme_torque]

I dont thunk the rural buyer in the market for a Bolero will even look at this. The urban customer is far too sophisticated to actually go for a contraption like this. I am sorry but like most Mahindra designs, this is weird and disproportionate. Another dud from Mahindra and worst, they are making a habit of it.

[Stratos]

I feel Mahindra should have just launched this as a TUV face-lift.

The "original" Bolero, albeit outdated, is a cult classic. Its ruggedness was something that made it sell so well after so many years, still keeping the same boxy styling. Mahindra did a great job keeping it upto date with interior upgrades and also some safety features.

I do not see why anyone would want to buy a TUVed Bolero, with its weird slanted side-profile and a stance that will never overlap (forget overshadowing) the original Bolero.

Adios Bolero. This is the end of a true winner!

[BunnyPunia]

Drove it today. Off the road too. Embargo in place but yeah the pic should give you a hint!

[pandabear]

Originally Posted by procrj

If Mahindra was really serious about the Bolero Neo, they would have launched it with the 4 Cyl 1.5L engine from the XUV300 + 6 speed transmission. This is again an half harted attempt from M&M to launch a product that is neither here nor there.

It is only to keep costs down, remember the XUV300 started picking up on sales only when the price was dropped. .

Originally Posted by padmrajravi

On another note, if they can fit it with a torque converter AT, it will wash away all the bad press garnered by TUV AMT. I hope that is also in the plan.

Even the XUV300 a more premium product proposition in their portfolio has to live with an AMT.
Very few people who buy cars can even distinguish these jargon. Automatic is just an automatic for most of the buyers, and it would have made more sense for Mahindra to keep costs low.

[ashutoshb]

If its on the same chassis as the Thar (mentioned in the launch video), should we expect a 4/5 star rating on GNCAP?

I know it takes a lot of other factors, but given Mahindra's recent dedication towards safety, should we at least imagine that it will?

[84.monsoon]

Variant Prices:
N4 - 8.48 lakhs
N8 - 9.48 lakhs
N10 - 9.99 Lakhs

The top variant looks very well kitted - although the brochure mentions an N10(O) variant, the price release does not mention this variant. The interiors look nice and it is impressive to see a 7 seater with alloy wheels, a decently powerful 100 HP engine, modern touchscreen system, cruise control, driving modes, micro hybrid engine start/stop, rear wiper, ISOFIX child seats etc. at this price point. The platform is the same proven and mature one as the new Thar and with the same steering, infotainment system and instrument cluster is directly lifted from the new Thar. Owners of the new Thar may find the interiors very familiar. Remains to be seen how much better the mHawkl00 is over the previous engine given the portly size and weight of this truck (exact kerb weight not even mentioned in the brochure - "never ask a fat man his weight") though the max torque of 260NM is very impressive for the smaller engine and also it comes in pretty early at 1750 NM.

Brochure attached.

[CARDEEP]

I only see 2 issues here, the doors design & last row seats that are side facing. If I were to buy this, ignoring the weird door design, I would redesign & reuse the last row seats as furniture in home & use the space as reasonably big boot, instead of putting someone's life at risk or going against (prospective safety & insurance related) legislation.