Rumour: Next-gen Rexton to be sold under the Mahindra name

As per recent media reports, the next-gen SsangYong Rexton will be sold in India under the Mahindra brand name. It will thus become the company's new flagship offering in the country, and will compete against the likes of the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavour. It is expected to be launched by the end of this year.

The next-gen Rexton will be based on the SsangYong LIV-2 concept that was showcased at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. It will be built on a new-generation body-on-frame chassis, and will have proportions similar to that of the LIV-2 concept, which is 4.85m long, 1.96m wide and 1.8m high. The production SUV will also have a wheelbase of around 2,865 mm, which will be around 120 mm more than that of the new Fortuner.

The LIV-2 concept had a 9.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system that came with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and WiFi compatibility. It also had 10.1-inch displays mounted at the back of the front seat headrests for entertainment needs of the back seat passengers. Other features shown on the concept included captain seats with massage function, mood lighting and electric sidesteps. It remains to be seen if any of these advanced features make it to the production-spec car or not.

In India, the next-gen Rexton is expected to be powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine with an output of around 182 BHP and 420 Nm. Transmission options on offer will likely include a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed automatic. Mahindra might also offer a 2.0-litre, turbocharged petrol engine later during the car's lifetime.

For the Indian market, Mahindra is reportedly planning to heavily localise the new-gen Rexton, in order to launch it at a competitive price. Reports suggest that the automaker is aiming to undercut the new Toyota Fortuner by a large margin of around Rs. 4-5 lakh.

Source: Autocar India