Mahindra Marazzo: U321 MPV gets a name and it obviously ends with 'O'

The utility vehicle specialist of the country, Mahindra & Mahindra, has been working on a premium MPV that has been codenamed U321 for quite some time. The U321 has been spotted multiple times in public roads under camouflage and the company has now confirmed its launch ahead of upcoming Diwali.

Mahindra & Mahindra on Tuesday confirmed the name for its new product as Marazzo. The name has been derived from the Spanish language of Basque, and it means shark.

It needs to be noted that Mahindra has decided to go against its pattern of alpha-numeric names (XUV500, KUV100, and TUV300). While the reason for this shift is unknown, the tradition of Mahindra vehicle names ending with the letter 'O' is continued in Marazzo as well.

In addition to name, Mahindra claims that Marazzo's design will be inspired by a shark. The Marazzo's aerodynamic shape, overall silhouette and front grille inserts will resemble a shark, says Mahindra.

The company has released the image of the tail lamps and the boomerang-shaped curve looks like it has been inspired by the tail of a shark.

Inside the cabin, the U321 now called Marazzo will come with roof mounted AC vents with what Mahindra claims industry first surround cool technology. Images released confirms contoured seats finished in leatherette with fine stitching.

Marazzo will also boast of purple-themed instrument cluster with 3D light guides and animated colour screen.

Marazzo will be Mahindra's global product and hence the development and engineering of the vehicle have been carried in collaboration between Mahindra North America Technical Centre (MNATC) and Mahindra Research Valley (MRV) in Chennai.

Based on a new platform, Marazzo will be offered in seven and eight-seat configurations and will be manufactured at the Nasik facility in Maharashtra.

Mahindra is tight-lipped about the powertrain of Marazzo and reports claim the premium MPV will debut with a new 1.5-litre diesel engine. The mill is expected to develop around 121hp and 300Nm, which will be paired with a six-speed manual gearbox

Mahindra Marazzo will pose a serious challenge against Toyota Innova Crysta and Tata Hexa. However, the pricing of Marazzo is expected to undercut its rivals.