Mahindra & Mahindra, one of the India’s largest Utility Vehicle (UV) makers, is planning to introduce a sub-4 metre sedan based on its Verito model. Mahindra Verito has been receiving a lukewarm response in the Indian auto market, since the model failed to pull the masses initially when it was doing the rounds as Mahindra Renault Logan. The main reason behind the failure of Logan was its boxy looks and weird left-hand drive like features. However, Mahindra was quick enough to recognise the drawbacks of the car and thus, relaunched the Logan as Verito after splitting with its French alliance. Recently, the car was again introduced in the Indian market with an all-new facelifted version, featuring appealing looks and improved ergonomics.
Even though the model seems to be doing fairly well as of now, M&M was reportedly working on a Compact Sedan (CS) version of the car to keep its length sub-4 metres. This will qualify the new CS model to mark its entry in the industry as a small car, which happens to be the recent trend in the Indian market in the present scenario. The buzz around the town is that the new CS model will be sold in the Indian market along side its bigger sibling, Verito sedan. However, it is believed that the compact Verito will be cheaper by Rs. 40,000 as compared to the regular Mahindra Verito.
The compact sedan segment of the Indian market is the lately introduced with Tata Indigo eCS being the first model in this segment in the country as well as in world too. Needless to say, as and when, Verito CS is launched, it will be pitched against the Indigo eCS. Usually, the car makers do away with the dedicated boot, which is typical of a sedan to introduce the compact sedan variant, indicating that the comfort and space in the passenger cabin is not compromised.
As of now, there are only two compact sedans in India, including the aforementioned Tata Indigo eCS and a compact version of Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire. Besides the upcoming Mahindra Verito CS, the Tata Manza CS launch is impending in India. Analysts believe that the M&M will be retaining the powertrain serving on regular model in the CS version as well, which will ensure the same handling with outstanding mileage. However, considering its petrol variant, the company will need to slim down the engine to 1.2 litres in order to avail the tax benefits.
In most likelihood, it is possible that M&M may either downsize the petrol model or chuck it altogether, since petrol models are no longer in trend in India. The changes incorporated in the recent facelifted version of Mahindra Verito are expected to be carried over to the upcoming CS version as well. India being a fast growing market with new segment being created like Sports Tourer and Compact Sedans, among others.
