[Sir Lancelot]

Mahindra recently launched a 4x4 version of the Quanto on the Italian market. Here is a [Google Translate] translation of the spec list on the attached brochure:




Air Conditioning
ABS
ESP (Electronic Stability Control)
Frontal Air Bags
Seat belts with pretensioners
Hill Start Assist
Hill Descent Control
Cruise control with steering wheel controls
DIS (Driver Information System)
Stop and Start [“micro hybrid”]
Power steering
Access ports to 4 ports [?]
Integrated sound system CD / MP3 / USB / SD card with steering wheel controls
Electrically adjustable exterior mirrors and matching [presumably Google means “body coloured”]
Free front wheel hubs with automatic engagement
Height adjustable steering wheel
Central locking
Power windows
Remote electric opening for fuel tank
Seat adjustment
Dual 12V power outlet
Electrically actuated 4WD
Immobiliser
Fog lights
Roof rails
Alloy wheels (4WD version only)
Front seats with adjustable armrests
Driver's seat with lumbar support, 3-position
Driver's seat height adjustment
Split rear seats (60/40), folding and flipping "Yoga Seats"
Rear centre armrest with cup holders
Floor mat kit
Sunglass compartment


Firstly, the Italian Quanto differs from the Indian spec in that it [like the South African Quanto] uses the same 2.2L mHawk engine used in the Xylo. Secondly, it is equipped with 4x4 [as is the Australasian spec Genio pick up truck]. And thirdly, it has a host of electronic safety and driving aids, not before seen on any version of the Quanto, Xylo or Genio.


It is interesting to note the approach, breakover, and departure angles quoted in the brochure. They are actually extremely good! For example the Quanto's approach, breakover, and departure angles of 33deg, 22deg, and 57deg[!] handsomely beat those of the newly released [South African spec] Ford Everest which can only muster corresponding angles of 29.4deg, 21.5deg, and 25deg! [figures courtesy of www.ford.co.za]. Don't laugh all you unpatriotic Indian Quanto sceptics, the 4x4 Quanto with the 2.2L mHawk under the hood should make a very capable off road machine! Those ultra short front and rear overhangs are good for something after all!


It is a mystery as to why Mahindra does not market a 4x4 version of the Quanto in all the markets where it is sold. All the engineering has clearly already been done. So why not use it? The Quanto's sales are lacklustre, and one would think that a 4x4 version may be just what the Quanto needs to give its sales a shot in the arm. Same goes for the Xylo.


Also note how much better the Quanto looks with 16” alloy wheels filling up those wheel arches. It immediately butches up the appearance and makes it seem more “planted”.


And then, perhaps most importantly, the issue of safety. Apart from the convenience of safety features like Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control and Cruise Control, the Italian Quanto also comes with Electronic Stability Control and Seat Belt Pretensioners. Only airbags and ABS are offered on the safety front in other markets. Is it time for Mahindra to wake up perhaps, and realise that in the 21st century people make car choices based on safety features as well? Again, the engineering has been done for all this equipment, so why Mahindra does not offer it as an option at the very least in other markets is a mystery only they can answer. It certainly won't do their sales figures any harm to have a safety pack as an optional extra? Electronic Stability Control has been hailed as the most important safety invention since the seat belt. This is especially true in high centre of gravity cars like the Quanto [remember the embarrasing Elk Test that the first generation Mercedes A-Class failed so badly?] ABS and airbags are vital, but ESC is just as important to keep the vehicle under control. You can't have the one without the other, otherwise your safety armour is seriously flawed.

[alpha1]

Originally Posted by Sir Lancelot

1) And then, perhaps most importantly, the issue of safety. Apart from the convenience of safety features like Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control and Cruise Control, the Italian Quanto also comes with Electronic Stability Control and Seat Belt Pretensioners.

2) Only airbags and ABS are offered on the safety front in other markets.

3) Is it time for Mahindra to wake up perhaps, and realise that in the 21st century people make car choices based on safety features as well?

4) Again, the engineering has been done for all this equipment, so why Mahindra does not offer it as an option at the very least in other markets is a mystery only they can answer.

5) You can't have the one without the other, otherwise your safety armour is seriously flawed.

1) At what price does Quanto sell there?

2) Due to government regulations, perhaps, and public perception (regarding "minimum" safety) in those countries.

3) Though you are right, I feel that there is not a great number of such people in India. Otherwise imagine, Mahindra would've offered these features and Quanto would've become a big success in India.

4) There is a cost associated with assembling and testing. When Mahindra knows that there are not going to be any takers in India for this, why should it incur that incremental cost?

5) There are no limits to such arguments. Tomorrow you may use it to justify imposing wearing a helmet inside cars.

[Thilak29]

Is Mahindra sure about selling this car with Quanto name? In Italian it means something unlike here in India.

[GTO]

Very nice. That 2.2L engine must make it quite fast.

Reason we don't get the bigger engine (even though the engine bay can accommodate the same) is differentiation. Take the TUV300 as an example - if they fit the bigger mHawk in it, Scorpio sales will fall by 30% overnight. Manufacturers always use engine & power to separate the more expensive vehicles.

Originally Posted by Thilak29

Is Mahindra sure about selling this car with Quanto name? In Italian it means something unlike here in India.

[Doge]

Originally Posted by GTO

Very nice. That 2.2L engine must make it quite fast.

Reason we don't get the bigger engine (even though the engine bay can accommodate the same) is differentiation. Take the TUV300 as an example - if they fit the bigger mHawk in it, Scorpio sales will fall by 30% overnight. Manufacturers always use engine & power to separate the more expensive vehicles.

We have also got the tax bracket here, a 2.2 would make the difference between quanto and Xylo not much on road.
What's surprising is Mahindra chose to launch the Quanto and not the TUV. What's the point of that?
I wonder how Italians who must be used to some of the most beautiful cars in the world, react when they see a quanto.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Doge

We have also got the tax bracket here, a 2.2 would make the difference between quanto and Xylo not much on road.

Yes, the tax bracket is there. But even with a 2.2L under the hood, the TUV300 will be much cheaper than the Scorpio. It'll kill its own sibling. The TUV300 is actually better than the Scorpio in many areas, which is why Mahindra (and other car makers) use engine / power as a differentiating point.

What's surprising is Mahindra chose to launch the Quanto and not the TUV.

Excess stock of a dud product .

With the TUV300, Mahindra is unable to meet local demand and is reported to be increasing its production.

[shankar.balan]

Basically all manufacturer's will always, without exception, take the easier (and cheaper) path to market with their products.
If, like in India, they can get away with the bare minimum and the basics while saving tons of capital expenditure and input costs, then that is exactly what they will do, no matter how much the rest of us rant and rave.

End of the day it is all about Economics and the "smartest" way that they can find to navigate around any regulations there may be!

[DicKy]

Suddenly the Quanto looks so desirable

Regarding the Indian launch, just praying that the TUV300 gets a 4X4 system as soon as possible. ( Can't agree with Mahindra's statement that there are enough 4wd offerings from the company. )

Or atleast put the Quanto's Yoga seats in the TUV.

[hybridpetrol]

Quanto is basically for those who are looking for a cheaper option to Xylo for transporting a lot of people. Probably 7 or more at a time. When we say cheaper option, it has to be within the 12% excise duty bracket, (so, 1.5L engine, sub 4m) and devoid of a number of features.
Just to differentiate from a crude Bolero, some newer features had been added in Quanto and introduced in India. However, consider what would have happened, if Quanto was introduced with these many creature comforts and safety features. Would that had any difference in Quanto's sales? I guess no, because, the appearance does not attract us. Will anybody be ready to put in Creta's money into a Quanto?
I think in that sense, M&M did the right thing, saving losses in one way.

[Sir Lancelot]

I understand the points made above. However, let me counter with a few thoughts of my own:
Sure, a 2.2L may take sales away from other Mahindra models in India. However, it is strange then that a 2.2L Quanto is sold alongside a Scorp [aka Goa in Italy] with the same engine in Italy and South Africa. So then, why do Indian consumers want to sell themselves short? It's all about choice, right? The more choice, the more the consumer benefits, and the better sales are. Remember, it's better to cannibalise your own sales than to let a competitor do it for you!

My point about the Quanto was less about the 2.2L mHawk and more about 4x4/ESC/Hill Hold/Hill Descent Control being available to Italian consumers, but nowhere else, despite it's obvious potential as a good compact off road vehicle.

It's also a question of morality. There is noting more sacred than human life. It is therefore incumbent on manufacturers to ensure thier vehicles meet reasonable safety norms, not just the minimum safety regulation that applies in the particular jurisdiction the car is sold in. I question Mahindra's commitment to safety, and therefore it's respect for its customers. How on earth can they fit rear jump seats [Scorpio/TUV300/Quanto] in India WITHOUT SEATBELTS! They don't do this in South Africa or Italy! Are Indian customers lives worth less than South African or European lives to Mahindra? How can Indian consumers accept this kind of insult? Same goes for ESC. It is fitted in the Italian Quanto, but not in the South African one. Are South African lives worth less than Italian lives? Is this the global heirarchy of human worth according to Mahindra?

My original intention of the post was to point out that the Quanto's sales are poor, and that it has been engineered to take 4x4/2.2L mHawk/ESC. So why then are consumers in South Africa and India not also given a chance to own the best Quanto there is? Is it only Europeans who are worthy of 4x4 and ESC? Why do we always just accept second best? Are we not reinforcing our North/South inferiority complex?