Rumour: Mahindra to launch Quanto AMT by year end

Mahindra displayed its sub-4 metre MPV, the Quanto with an automated manual transmission (AMT) at the 2014 Auto Expo held earlier this year. Since then there has been very little news of the car. Now however, according to a report by Overdrive, Mahindra is planning to introduce the vehicle by the end of the year.

An AMT-equipped car, car can be driven like an automatic or like a manual by slotting the lever in 'M' mode and shifting up and down sequentially using the '+' and '-' modes respectively. It does not require a clutch pedal to be depressed, which reduces the effort required to drive it. This transmission can prove to be very useful for city driving, where stop-go traffic is common. Additionally, an AMT is not as expensive as a conventional automatic gearbox. This means that the manufacturer does not need to price the vehicle much higher than one with a manual gearbox.

The Quanto has been a slow seller. With the introduction of the AMT gearbox, Mahindra will hope to broaden the car's appeal and draw more customers to its showrooms.