Will Maruti Suzuki Ignis Rival Mahindra KUV100 in India?

Recently, home-grown automaker, Mahindra & Mahindra unveiled its next big product for the India, the Mahindra KUV100. The new sub-compact SUV will be placed below the TUV300, and doesn't really have any competitor in the Indian car market, or does it? Earlier this year Maruti Suzuki revealed its first sub-compact crossover car, Ignis, which is all set to reach the Indian car market in second half of 2016. And judging by the looks it the Maruti Suzuki Ignis could prove to be an ideal competition to the upcoming Mahindra KUV100.

Also Read: Mahindra S101 Christened KUV100; Launch on 15 January, 2016

Starting with the Mahindra KUV100, this sub-4 meter compact SUV from Mahindra comes with a number of all-new features that makes it quite a unique offering. The vehicle comes with a crossover-like structure that has been accentuated by Mahindra's signature character lines and features that give it an SUV-like stance. The KUV100 also comes with some additional offerings like LED DRLs, muscular bonnet, LED fog lamps and plastic underbody cladding among others.

Read: Mahindra KUV100 Review

On the other hand in terms of design, the Maruti Suzuki Ignis is based on the Suzuki iM4 Concept and comes with a boxy appearance with some stylish exterior features and attractive character lines. The car comes with a uniquely designed front facia with the grille designed as one single unit that houses the headlamps. Even the headlamp cluster look pretty stylish thanks to the projector unit and the big U-shaped DRLs. The car features a muscular front bumper with large air intakes merged with circular chrome fog lamps encasings and flared wheel arches giving it that crossover like stance.

Also Read: Mahindra KUV100 Bookings Open

Both the Mahindra KUV100 and Maruti Suzuki Ignis come with high ground clearance that justifies their SUV/Crossover persona. It is even said that the Maruti Suzuki Ignis could feature a 4x4 system as option, while Mahindra will offer the KUV100 without one. Both the cars are 5-seaters and are expected to come with futuristic interiors and equipment.

Also Read: Mahindra KUV100 Sub-Compact SUV's Interior Spied

Coming to powertrain options, the Mahindra KUV100 will be powered by an all-new range of petrol and diesel engines, christened - mFalcon series. The petrol engine, mFalcon G80, will be Mahindra's first ground-up engine, which is a 1.2-litre unit churning out 82 bhp and develops 114 Nm of peak torque. At the same time the new 1.2-litre oil burner, mFalscon D75, is a turbocharged common-rail diesel engine producing a power output of 77 bhp and a peak torque of 190 Nm. Both engines will come mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with no current plans for an automatic transmission unit as of now.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Ignis to Be Launched in 2016 Festive Season

The Maruti Suzuki Ignis on the other hand, comes powered by a 1.2-litre DualJet petrol engine with SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) technology, and is paired to a CVT automatic gearbox in the international market. The India-bound Maruti Suzuki Ignis though is likely to sport the same 83 bhp, 1.2-litre K-Series petrol engine and 74 bhp, 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel engine that does duty on the Swift hatchback and the all new Baleno. Transmission duties are likely to be carried out by a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic gearbox. (Things to Know About Mahindra KUV 100)

Launch Date:

Mahindra KUV100: 15th January 2016

Maruti Suzuki Ignis: Festive Season 2016