Mahindra Launches Compact SUV Quanto
Mahindra has launched the Quanto compact SUV in the Indian market. Based on the larger Xylo, Mahindra chopped the rear off to get it under 4-meters in length. The company has given the car a new 1.5-litre diesel engine as well. In India, vehicles which are less than 4-meters in length and have an engine capacity less than 1.5-litres (diesel) or 1.2-litres (gasoline), benefit from a lower excise duty of 12% against 27%.
Due to the borrowed styling, the Mahindra Quanto doesn’t look good. It looks out of proportion and bulky from most angles. Mahindranoffers ABS, airbags, alloy wheels, a 2-DIN audio system etc with the top-end variant of the Quanto. The company has plonked in a down-sized version of their 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine. The new 1.5-liter engine uses twin-turbos to produce 100 BHP and 240 Nm from its 3-cylinder heart.
In the export version, Mahindra will offer a more powerful, 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine. The company will start exporting the Quanto to Europe early next year. The 2.2-liter diesel engine produces 120 BHP of power and 290 Nm of torque. The Quanto is a rear-wheel drive vehicle, but the export version will get 4-wheel drive. After looking at engine and styling, would you buy the Quanto compact SUV, when it goes on sale in Europe?
Faisal Ali Khan is the owner/operator of MotorBeam.com, a website covering the auto industry of India.
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Do they have a pick up version? 4 meters is about 13' Sounds like my '71 Datsun PU What is the wheel base?
The wheels are way too small on it. It looks misproportioned compared to JDM or USDM SUV's. Why are Indian vehicles saddled with such small wheels?