In January last year, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M Ltd.) launched its compact SUV KUV100. The car with its unique shape and size got some attention and made some decent sales. In the past one year, it sold over 42, 000 units with around 5,000 units a month for most of the time. However, in the past couple of months there has been a dip in sales with around 2,000 units a month being sold now. To give it a push, M&M Ltd. has come out with the anniversary edition of KUV100 which is more stylish and sporty.
The more stylish KUV100 is available in the K8 variant with two options for dual tone exterior colour – Flamboyant Red or a Dazzling Silver body with Metallic Black roof. The SUV stance, which was much debated earlier, has been enhanced in this anniversary edition with larger sized 15” alloy wheels and a dynamic design. The interiors get a new sporty black and premium theme. In addition to this, the K6 & K6+ variant will now be available with spider design 14” alloy wheels.
In addition to this, customers also get options to personalise their KUV100 with four accessory kits, namely sporty exterior and interior kits and premium exterior and interior kits. Each kit comprises multiple accessories to enhance the style quotient of the KUV100.
Speaking on the introduction of anniversary edition of KUV100, Pravin Shah, President & Chief Executive (Automotive), M&M Ltd., said, “ The KUV100 has the appeal of an SUV and the practicality of a compact car, making it a compelling value proposition. We have introduced the new avatar of the KUV100 with dual tone exterior colour, sporty and premium black interiors and bigger dynamic design alloys wheels along with various accessory kits. We are confident that it will further build on the KUV100’s style quotient and make it a popular choice amongst the youth.”
However, the KUV100 anniversary edition continues to sport the same engine and should drive the same way. The petrol version is equipped with 1.2 litre engine that makes 82 bhp of peak power and 115 Nm of peak torque and is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The diesel has a 1.2-litre turbocharged engine unit that makes 77bhp of peak power and 190 Nm of peak torque. The diesel is also mated to a 5-speed manual and comes in front wheel drive set up. The KUV100 does not get an automatic or AMT gearbox like the TUV300 does. And you do feel it missing.
We drove the car on its completion of one year looking for answers for the rise and fall of its sales. The car has decent space in the front and at the back. With a unique addition of an extra seat for the third person in the front it scores high on practicality. The seats are comfortable even though they are flat with no great thigh support. The headroom is in abundance while the leg room is just fine.
Further, there is easy shifting of gears and there is some punch and fun in the drive. What I dislike is the rear view that you get while reversing the car. The design is such that it isn’t easy to figure out what’s at the back. Also, the tall stance of the car was no match for the small sized alloys which have been improved upon in the latest anniversary edition. It would have been more beneficial if there was an option of automatic transmission like we get in Ignis. However, KUV100 scores well on practicality, is comfortable and offers you good space. The KUV100 price starts at ₹ 4.58 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and its new avatar will be available on the top end K8 variant for ₹6.37 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) .
