Mahindra To Launch XUV3XO CNG On October 15

Mahindra Auto is expanding its vehicle lineup in India by launching the new XUV3XO CNG on October 15. The company last offered a CNG passenger vehicle with the KUV100 Trip, but has lacked a CNG option since then.

Market Competition

When released, the new Mahindra model will compete directly against the Tata Nexon i-CNG and the Maruti Brezza S-CNG. The Tata Nexon is currently the only sub-four-meter SUV in India to offer four fuel options including petrol, diesel, CNG, and electric. Mahindra already sells its sub-four-meter monocoque SUV in petrol, diesel, and electric versions, and adding CNG will bring it to the same four-fuel rank. Current pricing for competing models ranges from Rs 8.35 lakh to Rs 13.42 lakh for the Nexon, and Rs 9.4 lakh to Rs 11.76 lakh for the Brezza. Meanwhile, Renault and Nissan offer CNG retrofit options for the Kiger and Magnite instead of factory-fitted kits.

Performance And Design

The upcoming SUV will likely use a 1.2-litre MPFI turbocharged engine. This motor puts out about 110 bhp and 200 Nm of torque on petrol. Running on CNG will cause a small drop in performance due to fuel properties, though exact figures remain unconfirmed. A major question centers on the CNG tank layout, as it remains unclear if Mahindra will use a single-cylinder or a dual-cylinder setup like the one popularized by Tata Motors. If the company uses a single cylinder, its placement below the floor or in the boot area is still uncertain. The XUV3XO already features the smallest boot space among its rivals, and adding a gas tank will reduce cargo capacity even further. It is also not yet clear if the vehicle will keep its spare wheel.

Context

Factory-fitted CNG kits have grown popular in India as buyers look for lower running costs compared to petrol and diesel. Automakers constantly update their model lineups to offer multiple fuel choices and capture a larger share of the budget-conscious car market.