Mahindra is likely to launch the S101 with the same three-cylinder 98bhp 1500cc engine that powers the Quanto. Power and torque are likely to be upped for the new car, and for this application the engine will be transversely mounted, like that of the XUV500. While there’s no four-wheel-drive version of the S101 on the cards, there will be a new modular engine family, with petrol and diesels built around the same basic mechanical architecture. Mahindra’s new engine family is, in fact, so flexible, it is said to span from 1.2 to 1.6 litres, and M&M is reputedly spending Rs. 4,300 crore on development. The petrol engine seen in the spy shots is most likely the 1.2 turbo motor and, as can be seen from the pictures, comes mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. A new 1.5 diesel, built using the same basic mechanical bits, will form the mainstay of Mahindra in the future. In addition to the S101 compact crossover, there will be other variants built on the platform. These include a more luxurious version, known as the S102, among others. The S101 will be priced aggressively, possibly starting as low as Rs. 5 lakh for the base models, and that, yet again, could mean a large order book and months of waiting for eager customers. The S101 could be in the market by late 2014.
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