Mahindra Marazzo BS6 to see a variant re-jig

Mahindra is gearing up to launch the BS6-compliant Marazzo MPV. In BS6 form, the Mahindra Marazzo will be sold with an upgraded version of the current 1.5-litre diesel engine, which will also feature a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system with a rear-mounted urea tank that will help reduce NOx emissions – all to meet BS6 regulations. The engine will also come with a DPF or diesel particulate filter. For more on Mahindra's BS6 diesel strategy and plans, click here.

The power output for the BS6-compliant 1497cc four-cylinder diesel engine is expected to be the same as the BS4 version; this means the engine will churn out around 100hp in Eco mode and 123hp in power mode.  The MPV will continue to be sold with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The company had earlier confirmed the inclusion of an automatic gearbox-equipped variant for the Marazzo. We expect the Marazzo automatic to arrive sometime later this year. 

Apart from the engine tweaks for BS6 compliance, the Marazzo will also see a variant re-jig. According to sources, the top-spec M8 variant will be given a miss. All variants of the BS6-compliant Marazzo will be available in both seven- and eight-seater configurations. The BS6 Mahindra Marazzo range will start with the entry-level M2 trim and will see new variants like the M4+ and M6+ - the latter will be the new top trim. Details on equipment changes are not yet known, however, we expect some features of the M8 to trickle down in the new M6+ trim upon launch. 

The Marazzo currently sees stiff competition from the likes of the popular Maruti Suzuki Ertiga at the lower-end and the Toyota Innova Crysta on the higher side. The MPV will soon see a price hike too, due to BS6 engine upgrades. However, post April 1, 2020, the Ertiga will be petrol-only and the BS6-compliant Innova Crysta will be more expensive (especially in diesel form), thus creating a sweet spot for the BS6 Marazzo. By ditching the current top-spec M8 trim, the company aims to create a smaller price bracket for the Marazzo, with the new top-spec M6+ variant being seen as more value than the M8. Considering the Marazzo retails between Rs 9.99-14.77 lakh (ex-showroom, pan-India) for now, this would further help Mahindra generate more sales.

Also see:

Next-gen Mahindra Thar to be feature-laden

Mahindra & Mahindra announces more management changes

from Autocar India - Cars https://ift.tt/36jDOrM