Mahindra plans petrol engine onslaught from 2018 onwards

Mahindra will offer petrol engines across its range from 2018 onwards. The SUV manufacturer, primarily a diesel oriented vehicle producer launched its first petrol powered car, the KUV100, last year.

It has said that the engines will be in the capacity of 1.2-litre, 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre and that it has invested around Rs 1000 crore to enable this development. Currently the 1.2-litre engine is already powering the KUV100 and this appears to be a popular choice among those buying the car.

These engines are expected to find their way into various models across their portfolio. Reports suggest that a petrol engine is being developed for their flagship XUV500 and will be unveiled sometime in 2017.

The presence of a petrol range will also open up new markets for Mahindra to export its range of vehicles. It currently sends cars to both LHD and RHD markets but only in diesel form. Mahindra’s move to have a larger petrol option is also believed to have been backed factors like declining gap in fuel prices and the Delhi diesel ban.