Mahindra brand of India has been busy creating concepts for their own burgeoning market, including the KUV100 SUV, their entry into the hatchback crossover arena. The company has been slinging images of the newbie around Mumbai and intends to take on competitors like the Ford Figo, Hyundai Grand i10 and Maruti Suzuki WagonR.

Images courtesy of MahindraKUV.com gallery

The Mahindra KUV100 SUV will be offered in both diesel and standard petrol, with no mention of an electric or hybrid offering just yet. The brand launched the TUV300 earlier in the year, which looks very much like an Indian version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Because the swanky new KUV100 is still a concept, it simply looks cooler than its predecessor, but it may appear quite similar in production form—a perhaps smaller version of it. That said, it is important for potential buyers to be realistic about what a concept vehicle is actually going to look like when it hits the market. Automakers spend countless hours and dollars drumming up love for their new offerings– but by the time the actual product emerges, too many hands have had their way and it is often a disappointment in comparison to its promise.

The Mahindra KUV100 is pronounced “One double Oh” and will be rolling out over the next few months as the major auto shows begin to occur. The SUV concept was developed in the company’s own facility in Chennai adhering to global standards and regulations, including those pesky emissions. According to director Pawan Goenka of Mahindra (which is actually named Mahindra & Mahindra, like an egotistical law firm): “We are all set to create a new segment with the launch of the KUV100 which also marks our foray into ground up petrol engines. An ambitious project from the very start, the KUV100, is all set to carve its niche amongst first time car buyers with its unique propositions.”

So…is this what American automakers will be driving while they are living in India making the most of the economic auto boom?

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