மஹிந்திரா KUV 100 mFALCON G80 K2

The KUV100 is the new compact SUV from a company that has a rather bold record with respect to SUVs. Despite being a micro SUV, the car gives one the impression of a hatchback at first glance. One has to take into accord the delightful design technique that has shaped the machine, which imbibes it with a renewed look that most SUVs are unable to get. The company has made the SUV segment a stronghold for their sales, and a machine such as this is sure to push up their market share, depending on the overall public response.

Pros:

1. The outer cover and the exterior design are very noticeable elements, and you can't deny that they give the car a very distinguished look.

2. The presence of ABS and EBD is sure to be seen as a sound plus point by many of today's customers.

Cons:

1. Being a lower end variant, you can't expect too much comfort and entertainment as it comes with minimal audio facilities, and only nominal comfort features.

2. One has to admit that its performance capacity is rather weak, and it is nothing close to industry rival such as the Ford EcoSport among others.

Stand-out Features:

1. There is a certain 'wow' factor in its exterior look, and we'll accede no doubt about that.

2. A standard warranty of two years, along with an extended warranty of upto 5 years is sure to delight many customers.

Overall :

Mahindra KUV100 mFALCON G80 K2 is the low end petrol variant in this newly launched model series. Living upto their standard, the brand has done a polished job in treating its interior and exterior facets. The outside and inside are indeed a treat to watch and we were definitely taken by the cabin design, as well as the unique exterior theme. In our opinion, the machine bodes an artistry that strays from the path of most other SUVs of this company. The brazen look of the front face, along with the rear spoiler and the body claddings by the side, together sanction a visually energetic piece. Aside from this, the range of colour schemes further adds to the dashing format of the car. You're sure to be delighted by the interior as well, which makes for a homely and gentle aura with the presence of a soothing environment along with some good aids. Turning to a more raw side, the vehicle is powered by the mFalcon G80 petrol engine, which does peck some faint points when compared to other SUVs. An element to be highlighted here is the all aluminium construct of the plant, which saves weight and promotes speed for the vehicle.

Exteriors :

As we stood before the machine, we thought we felt a pulse of enigma emanate from it. Despite having the commanding presence of an SUV, the machine has also been rendered a soft and effeminate appeal that almost gives it the tone of a hatchback. We are quite sure that many other buyers would also feel this way about the vehicle's peculiar structure. At the front, it is adorned with a slim design grille, and the marquee of the company has been stationed at the centre of it. On either side, there are sharp headlamp clusters, which trail into the side profile as well for a more diversified effect. The massive frontage is given a more charged atmosphere with the double layered air intake section at the bottom, along with the fog lamps. This variant comes with a body coloured bumper, and we felt that this gives a more ambient look for the front. The vision of the side is restored with the clean design lines and the sensual curves that run along the surface of the body. The large wheel arches and the black body cladding project a more ornate image of the vehicle. The well structured steel wheels also boost the vehicle's modern day appeal, placing a dab of sportiness upon the model. For a more jazzy flavour, a well tendered line swipes down from the upper side of the rear. This blends with the subtle lines glazing the side of the vehicle to give a more vibrant and complete posture for the car. The rear of the vehicle has a more beefed up position, and this helps to bring balance in its structural alignment, while at the same time adding to its fulfilling visual aesthetics.

Interiors :

We personally found the cabin to contain an energetic environment, and the company builds up a more lavish momentum with the benefit of plush treatment as well as smart comfort applications. Space was adequate, taller, huskier and more robust members of our team were able to enjoy the experience without too much hassle. But we'd put this as a side-note, that if you're going to look for a strong SUV-sized cabin, this would probably disappoint you, for there are many in this segment that boast a far larger interior. The precise modelling skill of the company reflects in the arrangement of the seats, the door-sides, the console and the front panel, which interact to form an artistic and visually appeasing image altogether. At the focus of the front panel is a sophisticated instrument cluster, where the alignment of the buttons and switches goes along with the neat position of the cabin. The gear lever has also been incorporated into the instrument cluster, and this bolsters the renewed atmosphere of the place. The pull-type handbrake has been suited right below the centre console, and this adds an element of comfort to the stylish aura of the place. The seats are laid in a wide and comfortable manner, and they have been dressed in refined upholstery that further grants delight for the passengers. There are touches of chrome on the door-side handles and the remaining areas, adding to the quality of lushness for the occupants. In addition to this, comfort is also availed with the presence of headrests, storage compartments and many other interesting features that ensure that no stone is left unturned in delivering a sound experience for the passengers.

Performance:

Propulsion power comes from a newly developed mFALCON G80 petrol engine, which we found to be a rather easy-going affair. There were minimal disturbances and noise strains, and we're sure that the overall experience would be passable for most Indian passengers. Going into the specifications front, the train has the capacity to bring out 82bhp at 5500rpm, coupled with a torque of 115Nm at 3500rpm to 3600rpm. The 1198cc power-plant is engineered to meet BSIV emission norms, and this works to improve fuel efficiency and emission cleanliness aside from mere performance.

Ride and Handling:

The vehicle's drive stability has been cemented with the presence of ventilated discs at the front brakes, and drum units at the rear. We would expect an average driver to be happy with the chassis composition as well, with a strong independent McPherson strut with dual path mounts on the front arm, and a semi independent twist beam for the rear. In addition to this, the drive quality is further enhanced with the presence of coil springs, hydraulic gas charged shock absorbers on the suspension arrangement, which altogether, leaves you with minimal strains through the drive. We observed that the electric power steering system also gives a subtle boost to the handling quality.

Safety:

The list of safety features, in our opinion, fell a little short. The machine does offer the ABS and EBD programs which solidify control, together with a collapsible steering column, child safety rear door locks as well as an engine immobiliser. However, this variant lacks many pivotal security elements that are present in other variants, and this may undermine it for many customers.

Verdict :

This vehicle comes with its own bag of plus points, some of which are a reasonably price, a strong exterior glamour and a plush interior. However, you're also going to have to embrace some of the downsides, including the lack of features for this variant, a weak performance and a lack in cabin space compared to other rivals. In the end, if you're looking for a quirky looking vehicle that fulfils your basic drive needs without cutting too much expenses, this is the machine for you. If you're on the rougher side of the auto-world, then this would probably break some expectations for you.