Mahindra and Mahindra Limited, the country's leading utility vehicle manufacturer, is believed to be working on the launch of a new Multi Purpose Vehicle called 'Rodius' for the domestic car market. The new Rodius MPV is being developed by the company's South Korean subsidiary- SsangYong Motor Company and could see Indian daylight sometime in the near future.
The SsangYong Rodius MPV was showcased at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show and can seat seven to nine occupants, making it ideal from the Indian market perspectives. The company claims its Rodius to be a luxury MPV, which is a segment not yet present in the domestic passenger car market. Hence, the Mahindra SsangYong Rodius could easily be termed as the utility vehicle maker's most awaited upcoming launch for Indian consumers.
As per reports, SsangYong Motor Company has already designed a Rodius model for the European market, which could be launched sometime in the latter half of 2013. Speaking of under-the-hood specifications of the upcoming SsangYong Rodius, the luxury MPV will be powered by a 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder, e-XDi200 turbo diesel engine trimmed with a variable geometry turbo chargers. The 2.0 litre diesel engine is rated with power and torque outputs close to 160 bhp and 350 Nm, respectively. Further, the engine assembly is expected to come mated with a five speed automatic or a six speed manual transmission systems. The drivetrain of the top end Rodius variants are anticipated to come in 4x4 All Wheel Drive (AWD) configurations, whereas the standard models will come equipped with rear wheel drive.
Speaking of security aspects, the SsangYong Rodius features several fawned upon trimmings, such as airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) system and Automatic Brake Assist (ABA) system. The top end models will also have the cutting edge Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and an Anti-Roll Over Protection mechanism. It is going to be interesting to see if the Indian spec Rodius model comes fitted with the aforementioned high end security attributes. The stylish SsangYong MPV will possess parking sensors, fully ventilated seats and an all-round infotainment system, complete with Bluetooth, AUX and USB functionalities.
Mahindra and Mahindra has tasted some great success with its SsangYong-made Rexton premium Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) in the country. Therefore, the company will be hoping to again strike the perfect chords of domestic consumers with its yet-to-be launched Rodius luxury MPV. Sources suggest that the company could introduce its SsangYong Rodius on Indian turf sometime during the 2014 calendar year.
