Mahindra plans petrol engines for XUV500 and Scorpio

The ongoing ban on diesel vehicles in Delhi has been a major setback for Mahindra’s sales operations in the NCR region. The Supreme Court, as we know, has put an interim ban on diesel vehicles with engines over 2-litre displacement and the decision has affected quite a few manufacturers. Mahindra, for one, is certainly having their work cut out in shifting their cars out of the showrooms.   

The XUV500 and the Scorpio - two of Mahindra’s popular products, are currently on offer with diesel powertrain although the brand is now looking into the possibility of offering these two models with a petrol engine option. 

Mahindra has already announced its plans to focus more on petrol engines. Recently, the brand even unveiled its new range of smaller capacity engines (including a petrol unit) along with the KUV100 compact vehicle. As for their bigger models including the XUV500 and the Scorpio, Mahindra is currently studying the feasibility of a petrol engine, following which it will introduce the vehicles. It is possible that the 2.2-litre turbo petrol engine that is currently offered in export models of the Scorpio could be introduced locally. 

As per the current situation, no manufacturer can sell 2-litre plus diesel vehicles in the NCR region till March 31, 2016. However, there is going to be a second hearing on the Supreme Court’s decision on January 5, 2016, wherein the auto industry will get a chance to put forward their views and recommendations on the ban.