Mahindra XUV300 AMT details revealed; likely to miss out on petrol-auto combo

• The XUV300’s 1.5-litre diesel engine will soon be offered with a 6-speed AMT.

• AMT option is likely to be limited to the top-spec W8(O) diesel variant of the SUV.

• The XUV300 diesel-AMT is likely to be priced around Rs 50,000 more than the manual variant.

• Mahindra is yet to announce an AMT option for the petrol-powered XUV300.

• Expect a more powerful petrol version with AMT option by the end of this year.

Earlier this month, we had reported that Mahindra was gearing up to launch the XUV300 equipped with an automated manual transmission (AMT) by the end of June 2019. However, the latest piece of information from the manufacturer reveals that the AMT gearbox will only be available with the diesel engine. While it’s been confirmed that the top-spec W8(O) variant will get the AMT, it remains to be seen if it’ll be offered in lower variants (W4, W6 and W8) of the sub-4 metre SUV.

The XUV300 is powered by a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine which also does duty in the Marazzo, albeit in a higher state of tune. In the XUV300, this motor produces 117PS of power and 300Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The new AMT variant packs six cogs as well and we recently had the chance to take it out for a spin. Read our first drive review to know how it fares.

As far as prices are concerned, the XUV300 AMT W8(O) variant is likely to fetch a premium of around Rs 50,000 over the manual variant (Rs 11.99 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi). This would make the XUV300 the most expensive diesel-automatic SUV in its segment. Other sub-4 metre SUVs that are offered with a diesel-auto combo are the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and the Tata Nexon. Both pack automated manual transmissions like the XUV300. Those looking for a petrol-auto combo can opt for the Hyundai Venu, which offers a segment-first dual clutch transmission (DCT), or theFord EcoSport with a traditional torque convertor or the Tata Nexon with an AMT. During the XUV300’s launch earlier this year, Mahindra had announced that the sub-compact SUV will receive an automatic version with both the petrol and diesel options. While information regarding the petrol-AMT option is scarce, a more powerful petrol version of the XUV300 is currently under development and we believe this version could be the one that will be offered with the AMT option.

Disclaimer: This article has not been edited by Deccan Chronicle and is taken from a syndicated feed. Photos: CarDekho.