Category: Mahindra News
Top Score In G-NCAP Crash Test For The XUV700
Posted by Group1 Mahindra on 22 Nov 2022
The new Mahindra XUV700 SUV scored the highest safety rating from G-NCAP
The big luxury Mahindra XUV700 SUV is so nearly in South Africa – you can already pre-order it, and many are doing so. If you’re not – you’ll miss out.
It was crowned Indian Car of the Year 2022, and critics around the world have given it rave reviews for being a great drive, a beautiful car, full of luxury features, and also very safe to travel in.
Apart from passing the crash tests with flying colours, you simply have to look at the impressive list of safety features on offer.
There are three trim levels, but let’s look at the top range Mahindra XUV700 AX7 L, which gives you:
The most up-to-date electronic stability program and advanced driver assistance (ADAS), which include front collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, driver drowsiness warning, lane departure warning, and smart pilot assist.
It can recognise traffic signs, and monitor your blind spots, all while continuously recording a digital video of your trip. And you get seven airbags in this model as well.
You can see from this that while the XUV700 has passed the most stringent crash safety tests, much of its technology was designed to help you avoid an accident in the first place.
This approach ties in with G-NCAP and campaigns such as #SaferCarsForIndia and #SaferCarsForAfrica.
The Global New Car Assessment Programme is like the other NCAP programmes, but with a bias to developing nations. It uses the United Nations automotive safety guidelines as its minimum standards, aiming very high for zero road deaths among passengers and pedestrians. This goal is probably not attainable, but it helps focus G-NCAP on how it goes about things.
Its #Safercars programmes focus on India and Africa, both one billion plus population centres with troubling car-related death statistics.
As a driver in South Africa, you will be well aware that you cannot always control road safety around you. This is why driving a car with an impeccable safety pedigree will go a long way to giving you peace of mind.
And if such a car comes with luxury at a great price, it will be well worth it to have a look at the Mahindra XUV700 before you decide what to buy.
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Mahindra EV Portfolio Stole The Show At New Mobility Assembly
Posted by Group1 Mahindra on 26 May 2022
Mahindra EV line-up grows
In April of this year, the e-vehicle portfolio developed by Mahindra Electric Mobility Limited was showcased at the Pune Alternative Fuel Conclave. This future-forward assembly is an initiative by the Government of Maharashtra, which brings together stakeholders from all industries and focuses on raising awareness about the need for clean mobility.
This year, the aim was to highlight existing initiatives by the government, private players and civil society organisations, and help discuss the way forward for clean mobility in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
Mahindra Electric Mobility Limited chose to display the:
- Treo auto
- Treo Zor Delivery Van
- Treo Tipper variant
- e Alfa Mini Tipper variant
- Atom quadricycle
The latter is being positioned as an innovative new-age electric urban mobility solution for smart India’s last-mile connectivity needs – another ingenious move by Mahindra, which is already the number one brand when it comes to electric three-wheelers in India, holding a whopping 70%+ market share.
What’s So Exciting About the Atom?
Quite a few things actually! The first electric quadricycle in India, due for release at the end of this financial year, is:
- Powered by Mahindra’s latest electric drive system
- Designed with a spacious interior & a monocoque body as a safe enclosure
- Fitted with telematics connectivity for effective fleet management
- Filled with clean & smart attributes that appeal to discerning riders
Anything Else to Get Pumped About?
A fair amount, yes! The Mahindra e Alfa Mini Tipper comes to the table with:
- A design based on the successful Alfa Mini platform
- A unique partition split for wet and dry garbage
- A GPS tracking system
- A grade-ability of seven degrees and a tipping angle of 40 degrees
- Peak power of 1.5 kW
- A driving range of 80 km on a single charge
- Loading capacity of 310kg
Of course, as always, this is just the tip of the Mahindra iceberg. The rest of the vehicles that were unveiled and presented to the conclave are equally impressive.
Keep an eye on the blog for more information on the exciting Mahindra e-vehicle portfolio as it becomes available. Find out more about the current Mahindra vehicles we have in stock by getting in touch with our team at Group1 Mahindra. Our expert team of auto professionals at our Midrand and Kuilsrivier branches is waiting in the wings to get you behind the wheel of the perfect vehicle.
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Automobili Pininfarina Develops The Purest Of EV Sounds
Posted by Group1 Mahindra on 13 May 2022
Automobili Pininfarina SUONO PURO
Electric vehicles are continually making headlines across the globe with some spectacular designs, including Automobili Pininfarina with its Battista GT. While many of the EV range issues may soon be in our rearview, if there’s one thing EVs lack, especially sporty versions, is the engine noise or lack thereof. However, thanks to more than 2000 hours spent on research and development, Automobili Pininfarina has created a unique voice for the impressive Battista GT EV.
Who Is Automobili Pininfarina?
Automobili Pininfarina is an Italian vehicle design company best-known for its tremendous work with some of the best brands, including Ferrari, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, Alfa Romeo and Cadillac. In 2015, Mahindra & Mahindra acquired Automobili Pininfarina with the aim of developing a series of hyper electric cars starting with the Battista.
This electric hypercar was publicly unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show and pays tribute to the company’s founder, Battista Pininfarina. It would be the first car in the company’s history that they have made for themselves and it sure is a showstopper.
Developing The Soundscape For The Battista Hyper GT
Following a significant amount of intensive research, conceptualisation and development, Automobili Pininfarina has created a unique sound for the Battista. The process behind its creation included studio compositions with sound experts, Novo Sonic.
They spent hours doing laboratory tests in a sound-insulated anechoic chamber and extensive tweaking on the road with the help of customer feedback. As a result, they’ve achieved what Automobili Pininfarina’s engineers refer to as ‘SUONO PURO’, or ‘the sound of sustainable luxury’.
This is unique to the Italian brand and enhances the connection to the jaw-dropping 1,900 hp Battista for those inside and passers-by. It provides near-instant feedback to the driver from the moment they start the vehicle through each of the five drive modes.
The sound is authentic and doesn’t try to compete with a traditional combustion engine sports cars. Instead, it takes the pure-electric experience to whole new level as they managed to capture the natural sound of all that power under the bonnet. And, since it’s a legal requirement for all EVs, they’ve also added an Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS) for pedestrians.
Frequency In Its Purest Form
Legendary composers Verdi and Mozart used 432 Hz frequency that is widely regarded as an authentic, uplifting frequency. SUONO PURO focuses on delivering the same feeling by delivering a frequency of 54 Hz at idle speed. This base note has been identified as pure with a positive impact on the driver’s wellbeing.
To see the incredible effect of this frequency, look at how it impacts water. Sound waves from this frequency creates a unique and beautiful ripple effect and is perfectly symmetrical. Since the human body is made up of around 70% water, this frequency could also have a positive impact on passengers and the driver.
Paolo Dellachà, Chief Product and Engineering Officer for Automobili Pininfarina, said: “The SUONO PURO sound strategy delivers both emotional and essential benefits to the driver. Our aim has been to enhance the enjoyment for occupants by channelling natural vehicle architecture sound through an innovative software arrangement, which ensures unwanted noises are omitted and the frequency at which sound is transmitted supports the comfort and wellbeing of the driver.”
Using Advanced Software And Synthesisers For SUONO PURO
Using cutting edge technology and bespoke software created exclusively for SUONO PURO, they’ve created the natural sounds of the powertrain through the different drive modes.
The special software delivers sound through synthesisers which were exclusively made for the Battista. To transmit the icnredible sound, the Battista uses 12 internal and external speakers from their luxury brand partner Naim Audio. Along with the synthesisers, 432 Hz frequency-tuned samples respond in real time to the vehicle speed, torque and steering inputs, among many others.
All of these elements are in the sound software called the ‘sound heart’. This unique control module enables them to create a stunningly immersive sound experience for the driver. Better yet, the sound and driving experience can be modified to suit the driver’s personal preferences through five manually selectable drive modes.
- The standard driving mode is Calma which provides the natural sound of the electric motors. It is also repeated on the outside for pedestrian safety purposes
- Pura adds more character by introducing the 54 Hz base note which is audible while the car is at ‘idle speed’.
- Energica increases the intensity of the base note in line with the enhanced dynamic performance of the vehicle
- Furiosa provides an entirely unique sound with greater intensity and power
- Carattere allows drivers to select their choice of sound from any of the other four modes,
along with personalised vehicle dynamics settings
Why Automobili Pininfarina Used An Anechoic Chamber
After engineers worked in the studio, the sound creation process moved to a dedicated anechoic chamber. This room is entirely echo-free and absorbs all unwanted sounds and vibrations which helped Automobili Pininfarina engineers and sound designers to fine-tune the sound even further. From there, they could start reviewing the sound to gain feedback and remove imperfections.
They used equipment that measures the frequency produced by the Battista from all angles, even on the inside. Engineers listened intently for any imperfections by using advanced audio recording equipment to ensure a pure sound. Such a process often takes up to five years in a conventional production vehicle but Automobili Pininfarina completed this in just 24 months. This was only possible with a dedicated and passionate team, more than 2000 hours spent in the studio, road testing and simulation tests.
“Today we have many clients looking forward to taking delivery of their unique Battista. In addition to an unprecedented 1,900 hp dynamic experience, they will also enjoy a unique ‘voice’ of this pure-electric hyper GT, enhanced by an equally thrilling 1,300W sound system developed specifically for Battista by our luxury brand partner Naim Audio,” said Dellachà.
For more interesting news and updates, please read our blog. We often write about new vehicle launches, motoring tips and fascinating topics such as Automobili Pininfarina. If you’re in the market for a new or used Mahindra, visit our online showroom or call our experienced and friendly sales team.
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Electric Off-Roading SUVs In The Pipeline For Mahindra
Posted by Group1 Mahindra on 29 Apr 2022
Mahindra is unveiling three electric SUVs soon!
Does the thought of ladder-frame electric off-roading SUVs seem like something out of a science-fiction dreamscape? It might sound like it, but the good news is that this wonderful concept will become a reality fairly soon thanks to the design acumen of the R&D team at Mahindra & Mahindra.
The Indian automaker’s new design team led by Pratap Bose is following in the slipstream of its ‘Born Electric’ vision to create three all-new electric vehicle concepts underpinned by a revolutionary Born Electric EV platform. The fruits of this labour are likely to be unveiled in July 2023, and it is being suggested that we are looking at body-on-frame electric SUVs!
Anish Shah, MD and CEO at Mahindra Group, recently shared with delegates at the Pune Alternate Fuel Conclave conference that their company is placing a very firm focus on their electric mobility plans, and that body-on-frame electric SUVs are a top priority at the moment. Currently, various feasibility studies are underway to craft viable e-alternatives for popular Mahindra SUVs such as the Bolero, Thar and Scorpio.
At the moment, body-on-frame architecture is not the norm for vehicles with an electric powertrain due to variety of engineering challenges in this regard. This is why leading e-manufacturers like Tata mainly build their electric cars on monocoque frames with front-wheel-drive configurations. This includes the Nexon EV and Tigor EV, as well as the upcoming Tata Sierra EV.
As such, the notion of ladder-frame electric off-roading SUVs rolling off the manufacturing line at a Mahindra & Mahindra factory as soon as 2023 is very good news for environmentally conscious SUV enthusiasts who want to drive a great car while still treading lightly on the earth. We look forward to seeing the innovative solutions the Mahindra engineers come up with to address the challenges of this design conundrum. Necessity is the mother of invention, after all!
Exciting times! While the launch of these Mahindra e-SUVs is still a while off, you can find out more about the current vehicles we have in stock by getting in touch with our team at Group1 Mahindra. The passionate teams at our branches in Midrand and Kuilsriver are waiting in the wings to get you behind the wheel of the ideal Mahindra to suit your lifestyle and budget to a T.
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Mahindra Thar SUV Digitised To Enter NFT Space
Posted by Group1 Mahindra on 14 Apr 2022
Mahindra Thar digitized as an NFT for a good cause
Mahindra & Mahindra recently unveiled their foray into the world of non-fungible tokens, following hot on the heels of MG Motors India, and bringing to the table NFTs based on their much-loved Thar SUV.
First things first – what on earth is an NFT?
An NFT, or non-fungible token, is a digital asset that represents things like art, music, gaming items and, now, the Mahindra Thar SUV. NFTs are sold online and mostly purchased by means of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies.
The appeal of an NFT is that it comes in very limited runs and has unique identifying codes that create a form of online scarcity. So, if you have one, you gain digital bragging rights and can prove ownership at the hand of built-in authentication.
FUN FACT! The first-ever NFT was created by a talented digital artist, Kevin McCoy, in May of 2014. It was essentially a pixelated image of a moving octagon. He named it Quantum and sold it online as what is commonly believed to be the first NFT ever. Today, Quantum is worth almost $7 000 000!
According to Veejay Nakra, the CEO of the automotive division at Mahindra & Mahindra, the decision to roll out the NFTs is another step to put them out front in terms of digital marketing. The automaker has always been at the forefront of tech transformation, often adopting new technologies far quicker than their competitors.
The first-ever Mahindra trench of tokens included four NFTs, which went on auction late in March. The automaker chose to donate all of the proceeds from the auction to Project Nanhi Kali.
Founded in 1996 as a part of the K.C. Mahindra Education Trust by Anand Mahindra with the aim of educating underprivileged girls in India, this project is one of the largest programmes in all of India. Their main aim is to help girls in their country to conclude 10 years of schooling by providing school supplies and academic support.
What a time to be alive! The good news is that whether you are into NFTs or not, a Mahindra remains a sound investment. Find out more about the current Mahindra vehicles we have in stock by getting in touch with our team at Group1 Mahindra. Our expert team of auto professionals at our Midrand and Kuilsrivier branches are waiting in the wings to get you behind the wheel of the perfect vehicle.
The post Mahindra Thar SUV Digitised To Enter NFT Space appeared first on Group1 Mahindra Blog.Best In Class 5-Star GNCAP For The New Mahindra XUV300
Posted by Group1 Mahindra on 14 Mar 2022
Mahindra XUV300 – Officially the safest car in Africa!
Mahindra has been in South Africa for a couple of decades, offering tough-as-nails work vehicles. Then it started offering classy and quality SUVs at very good prices – and these were immediately successful. But now it has released its most appealing car yet with the launch of the stunning 2022 Mahindra XUV300. The reason it is so attractive is not just because it is a stunning car – which it is – or all the luxury features – which it has. The reason we first took notice is that it comes with a 5-star Global NCAP rating, the first car from India to do so and the only one in Africa to carry that title.
The XUV300 comes in three trim levels, the W4, W6 and the W8. All three are loaded with safety features, but let’s look at the W8’s safety pedigree. First in segment 7 airbags and disc brakes on all four wheels, hill-start assist, heated mirrors for chilly mornings, electronic stability control, fog lamps, front parking sensor and rear parking assist and even a tyre position indicator. ISOFIX anchors will keep the kiddies safe too.
Each trim level comes with the choice of a 1.2-litre turbo petrol or 1.5-litre turbo diesel, both engines with a 6-speed manual transmission. The petrol will give you 81 kW and 200 Nm, while the impressive diesel will give you 85.8 kW and class-leading 300 Nm of torque. The petrol uses 6.33-litres per 100km, while the frugal diesel sips only 4.84-litres per 100km.
The exterior is stunning, nicely balanced with a floating roof design, dual-tone roof rails and 16 – 17-inch alloy wheels. Then you get good ground clearance, high-profile tyres and a sturdy body for when you want to go on the road less travelled. Projector headlights with DRL (daytime running lights), LED taillights and – a nice touch – LED indicators on the side mirrors all add wonderfully to the general good looks.
The cabin is also trim level-dependent, but the top model gives you great leatherette seats, dual-zone climate control with 3 memory settings, three steering modes and a sunroof. Think about the dual-zone climate control for a moment. You know when the aircon is just right for you, but your passenger complains that it is too cold. So: dual-zone, one for each of you – marvellous!
You also get a 17.8cm touchscreen with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay ability, Bluetooth, USB and AUX. Push to start and keyless entry feels very James Bond, as does the eco app that can talk to your smartphone and smartwatch.
The Mahindra XUV300 not only gives you the safest drive in its class, but it also gives you all the luxury features you would want, and all this is wrapped in a very good-looking car. But how is the drive? The only way to find out is to book a test drive.
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January 2022 Saw Record Sales From Mahindra
Posted by Group1 Mahindra on 08 Feb 2022
1000 Mahindra cars sold in January 2022!
January 2022 has seen the most Mahindra vehicles sold in South Africa since it launched in South Africa 18-years ago, according to figures released by NAAMSA. This is a massive 77% increase over the same month in 2021. And although the early ’21 sales were subdued by COVID, this January’s sales shine because they beat the excellent pre-pandemic years of 2018 and ’19.
What makes these sales even more significant is that they happened despite the worldwide supply chain disruptions and lingering COVID storms in the Northern Hemisphere hampering stock and parts availability in South Africa.
The locally-manufactured Pik Up range is still the company’s best-seller – 618 units sold in Jan. This keeps it in the list of South Africa’s three fastest-growing bakkies. Top trim models such as the Pik Up Karoo Dusk and the new Pik Up S6 DC AT were primary drivers of sales in this model.
The KUV100 NXT also recorded excellent sales, proving the demand for an affordable, economical, yet highly capable compact SUV. The evergreen Scorpio, especially the Adventure model, was very popular as a versatile family car.
The expected South African launch of the new Mahindra XUV700 model later this year is expected to build on the excellent sales so far.
Mahindra’s achievements are the results of a serious commitment and hard work over a long time. It first entered the South African market in 2004 with the intention of making this country it’s second home outside of India. Since then it has invested steadily in its dealer network and customer service to make sure its growth was matched by its service and support capacity.
Over the last four years, the company has expanded its South African footprint significantly with several major investments. These included a new assembly facility in Durban, and a large new training centre for technical and sales staff, as well as a specialised vehicle fitment centre in Gauteng.
At the same time, the company has supported its dealer network to expand to larger and more modern facilities with greater floor space and a bigger staff complement.
“The past two years have been tough, but our dealer network and the team kept their morale and momentum high and it has borne fruit,” said Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa. He attributed the new sales record to the hard work of team Mahindra SA and its 72 dealers, as well as the South African motoring public’s fondness for well-built, well-priced vehicles.
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