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Mahindra TUV300 is a “true blue SUV”, but not for Australia

Indian manufacturer Mahindra has launched what it describes as a “true blue SUV”, the Mahindra TUV300.


While not quite the subject of a long-lost verse from John Williamson’s famous Aussie anthem, the car maker says the design of the TUV300 is “inspired by a battle tank”, giving the compact SUV a “tough, bold and stylish character”.

Designed in-house and built on an entirely new platform, the company says the seven-seat (5+2) TUV300 “inherits Mahindra’s legendary tough and rugged DNA while its authentic true blue SUV stance establishes its extraordinary road presence”.

Speaking at the launch of the TUV300 in India this week, Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra said he was “confident that it will be a brand creator in its segment and find favour both in India and globally”.

The TUV300 would need additional safety equipment if it was to be a chance for the true blue Australian market, however. The car currently features only dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution and corner brake control, lacking electronic stability control and side and curtain airbags.

Mahindra Automotive Australia marketing manager James Halliwell told us the car wasn’t on the radar for our market, confirming that it was primarily designed to squeeze into India’s sub-four-metre class.

Powering the Mahindra TUV300 is a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with 62kW and 230Nm that teams with an automated manual transmission. It claims fuel consumption of 5.4 litres per 100 kilometres based on the Indian testing regime.

Standout features include static bending headlights, rear parking sensors with visual guidance, steering wheel-mounted audio and phone controls, voice messaging system, and Mahindra’s BlueSense mobile app integration.

Mahindra also claims the TUV300 will boast “best-in-class headroom, legroom and shoulder-room” along with “unmatched” boot space that can be expanded to 720 litres.

While the TUV300 isn’t headed our way, Halliwell confirmed the local division is currently considering another compact SUV that is understood to be far better suited to our market.

That car, codenamed S105, is expected to be unveiled in India by the end of March 2016, and if all goes to plan, could potentially reach our shores within 18 months.

Mahindra’s Australian line-up currently comprises the mid-sized XUV500 SUV, and the Genio and Pik-Up utes.

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