Mahindra S201
SsangYong Tivoli

Mahindra & Mahindra was supposed to reveal the production name of its upcoming compact SUV codenamed S201 on December 1. However, the utility vehicle specialist postponed the date for name revealing for an unknown reason. Now, the company has informed the S201 will get a name on December 19.

Mahindra & Mahindra intends to launch the S201 SUV in the first quarter of 2019. It will be the third new vehicle launch of Mahindra in just six months, others being the Marazzo MPV and the Alturas G4 premium SUV.

Mahindra S201 has been rumoured with many production names. It was earlier rumoured to be called the XUV300 in order to encash the popularity of Mahindra's bigger model, the XUV500. However, new reports claim the name could be Inferno. The name Inferno was previously rumoured for the Alturas G4 until it got a name in November and subsequent launch.

The S201 SUV will tighten the collaboration of Mahindra & Mahindra with its South Korean subsidiary SsangYong Motor. While the Alturas G4 is the badge-engineered version of the SsangYong G4 Rexton, the S201 is based on a modified SsangYong Tivoli platform. However, the S201 will not be a mere badge-engineered product. The spy shots so far indicate it will be significantly different in looks and features compared to Tivoli.

SsangYong Tivoli
SsangYong Tivoli was on display at Auto Expo 2016IBTimes India

Mahindra S201 will be packed with projector headlamps, LED DRLs (daytime running lights), sporty diamond-cut alloy wheels, roof rails, and a roof-mounted spoiler. Reports claim it will be loaded with more features as it will go up against established rivals like Hyundai Creta and Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza.

Mahindra is expected to employ new 1.5-litre diesel engine in the S201 that got debut with the Marazzo. The mill develops 121bhp and 300Nm in the Marazzo and is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. There will also be the newly developed 1.2-litre G80 turbocharged petrol engine on offer. It will come mated to mated a 5-speed manual transmission while an AMT option is also possible.