Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, one of the country's leading auto makers, is set to launch its much awaited Verito Vibe hatchback in the domestic car market on June 5, 2013. The company's first compact hatchback offering, Verito Vibe is a 'chopped boot' version of the Mahindra Verito sedan. The premium hatchback boasts of an unconventional design and would be available in only a diesel powered variants. The company has chopped the boot of its Verito sedan, in order to make its Verito Vibe hatch compliant with the excise duty restrictions on a compact car in the country.
Verito Vibe is a sub-4 metre hatchback and would mark the arrival of Mahindra & Mahindra in the immensely competitive compact car segment of the Indian auto market. The new model has been endowed with a two-box appearance by its maker. The tail lamps run through the entire width of rear windscreen and are fitted on the vehicle's C pillar. The unconventional tailgate seems slightly out of shape as compared to rest of the car's design. The front fascia of Verito Vibe is identical to its elder sedan sibling, while the doors and body panels are kept same as well.
Under its hood, the Mahindra Verito Vibe would be powered by the same 1.5 litre dCI engine that powers Verito sedan. This 1.5 litre oil burner develops a top power output of 68 bhp, along with highest torque rated at 160 Nm. The premium hatchback is expected to come fitted with several safety equipments, including Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), collapsible steering column, central locking and driver side airbags.
Upon its launch in Indian auto market, the Verito Vibe model would be pitched against Maruti Suzuki Swift, Hyundai i20, Volkswagen Polo, Ford Figo, Tata Indica Vista, Renault Pulse, Nissan Micra and Toyota Etios Liva. It must be noted that most of the Verito Vibe's rivals are offered in both petrol and diesel variants. The absence of a petrol motor under its hood, could hurt sales of the new Mahindra compact hatchback in the country. The demand for petrol cars is again on the rise, which is happening after a while in the Indian auto market. Therefore, industry experts have opined that the new Verito Vibe diesel could lose a big fraction of buyers, because of the absence of a petrol option in its range.
As per industry sources, the Mahindra Verito Vibe could carry introductory price tags around Rs. 5.5 lakh in the Indian auto market. Mahindra & Mahindra is known for developing products that precisely conform to the needs and demands of domestic audience. The soon-to-be launched Verito Vibe car would be no exception and is pegged to pump the company's sales in the competitive premium hatchback segment.
