Mahindra compact SUV to be powered by new petrol engine

Mumbai-based automaker, Mahindra is said to be in the process of developing a new family of engines in association with Korean automobile manufacturer SsangYong. The Indian utility vehicle major is understood to have invested a sum of Rs. 700 crore in the project.

A report by Autocar India suggests that the family of engines will be based on a common platform and will include both petrol and diesel units, which will be used in the company's upcoming models. There will be 1.2-litre and 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engine and a 1.5-litre diesel. The company has kept options open for the manufacture of 1.5-litre and 1.0-litre petrol units as well.

The first engine to be developed will be a 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder unit in petrol and diesel versions. This engine will be introduced in 2015 and will be used in the SsangYong X100 SUV, which will be sold in international markets. India will get a downsized version of the same engine. It will have three cylinders and a displacement of 1200 cc. In naturally aspirated form, it is expected to produce 80 bhp and will be used in the company's upcoming compact SUV, which will be launched in 2015. The 1.5-litre diesel will come only in late 2016 or 2017 and will power another vehicle.

The company has also started working on direct-injection with turbocharging for its future petrol engines.