Mahindra Xylo: move past without a glance!
In recent times other than Nano, we have not seen such a build-up around a car. Test mules with claddings spotted almost in every city of India added the expectation. But when Mr Anand Mahindra unwrapped the xylo very few were excited (though the interiors are exciting but that’s different story)
But before that, Have you ever admired seeing an MUV, unlike sedans or SUV, MUVs are meant to be functional with no or little attention given to their styling. Xylo is no exception. Rather than a composite structure, it looks Mahindra’s trademark muscular grille, pulled back headlamps and slightly raked up windscreen doesn’t result in a impressive form. The short but stout doors reminds the Scorpio. Glasshouse is big and ensures airy cabin. A chrome strip running on the sides and the broad side steps adds muscle to Xylo. Horizontally opening rear door and nice tail lamp cluster forms the rear. Overall, Xylo looks big and muscular but lacks the pleasing look which the segment buyers love.
Mahindra Xylo: Under the hood is the 2.5L CRDe engine which is essentially the same M2DI used in scorpio but equipped with Common Rail technology. Mahindra has also made fine improvements on this engine through the feedbacks it got from country wide test drives. This engine oozes out 112bhp at 3800rpm and 240Nm between 1800 – 3000rpm. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard across all variants. However, you can expect an automatic gearbox before the end of 2009.
Mahindra Xylo: Though the engine is not refined as some of its competetiors, the throttle response is so good and its easy to drive in city. But most of the Xylo are going to run between cities. Out on the highway, it justifies deterring style. The engine offers spirited performance, the turbo kicks in at 1800rpm and Xylo takes only 17s to reach 100kmph. However, what is more impressive is the fact that you can easily keep the Xylo at 120kmph. The engine does not feel strained but the oil burner is bit noisy. Noise insulation could have better. Xylo scores an impressive mileage figure of 13kmpl in our combined city and highway drive.
Mahindra Xylo: Steering is a bit vague and tight. It’s not easy to park the Xylo. Look at the dimensions – (4525* 1770 * 1880mm) is too much for Indian traffic. However Mahindra’s intelligent park assist system helps you to park the Xylo. Xylo comes with Independent coil spring suspension at the front and non independent multi line coil spring system at the rear. The larger profile tyres offers enough grip even in muddy soil.
Mahindra Xylo: The high ground clearance and ladder frame chassis itself defines Xylo handling chracteristics. Mahindra says the Xylo chassis 120% more stiffer than the Scorpio’s. However,body roll at hard cornering is discernable and its better to drive as Xylo lacks vital safety elements like ABS and Airbags. When customers are ready to shell out extra money for ABS and airbags in hatchbacks, I wonder why they won’t for an MUV. Manufacturers should wake up!
Mahindra Xylo: All the four variants of Xylo comes in eight attractive colours- fiery black,reador red java brown,minty green,lucky lilar,gold shimmer, rocky beige and mist silver. You can pick black or walnut interior with any of these exterior colours.
Mahindra and Mahindra provided Xylo to vicky.in for the purpose of evaluation.