New details about the Ashok Leyland Stile MFV surface

When Ashok Leyland first showcased the Stile at the 2012 Indian Auto Expo, the Hosur based utility vehicle maker preferred to call the Stile MPV, an MFV. While MPV stands for multi purpose vehicle, MFV is an acronym for multi functional vehicle. The naming of the Stile is just one of the many differentiating factors that Ashok Leyland has chosen to implement. 

Differentiation is a key aspect among badge engineered automobiles and this factor will be most apparent on the Ashok Leyland Stile, a badge engineered version of the Nissan Evalia MPV. Thanks to Motoring (formerly Business Standard Motoring and now a part of the Delhi Press), we now have a rash of details about the Stile MFV, a product that is likely to be priced significantly lower than the Nissan Evalia.

Also, the Stile will focus on the cab operator/commercial van segment while the Evalia is aimed at family MPV buyers. The Stile will be built by Nissan, alongside the Evalia, at the Renault-Nissan joint manufacturing facility at Oragadam, off Chennai. Ashok Leyland is likely to sell the Stile from its newly established small commercial vehicle dealerships, the ones that also host the Dost range.

Here are a few key differentiating points of the Stile, 

• Revamped styling
• The 1.5 liter K9K turbo diesel engine will feature a lower state of tune, with a 74 Bhp-185 Nm output, while the five speed gearbox with dashboard mounted gearshifter will be retained on the Stile.
• A slightly higher claimed fuel efficiency figure of 19.5 Kmpl and a kerb weight that's 43 kilograms lighter than the Evalia.
• Stereo unit and passenger side power window switch have been given the miss.
• Central locking, keyless entry (with the push button start), fog lamps and real time fuel consumption display have been skipped.
• The Stile gets 3 variants: Base, LS and LX. 
• The Base variant is an 8 seater, while LS and LX variants get captain seats as an option on the second row, and are 7 seaters. 
• The LS and LX variants may also be specified as an 8 seater, with the base variant's 60:40 split second row. 
• Sliding windows, covered glove box and an AC blower for the second row are the three other changes on the Stile. 

Notably, the revamped Nissan Evalia could get a covered glove box, an AC blower and captain seats for the second row. Since the Evalia and the Stile will share the production line, key changes made on the Stile based on customer feedback received for the Evalia are expected to be rolled out on the Nissan MPV as well.

With the launch of the Stile, Nissan India would be hoping that the dud selling Evalia gets a new lease of life, as a lower priced model targeting commercial MPV/panel van buyers. The revamped Evalia is also likely to see a launch in the coming weeks, in close proximity to that of the Ashok Leyland Stile.