Mahindra has launched the Quanto compact SUV in the Indian market. Based on the larger Xylo, Mahindra chopped the rear off to get it under 4-meters in length. The company has given the car a new 1.5-litre diesel engine as well. In India, vehicles which are less than 4-meters in length and have an engine capacity less than 1.5-litres (diesel) or 1.2-litres (gasoline), benefit from a lower excise duty of 12% against 27%.
Due to the borrowed styling, the Mahindra Quanto doesn’t look good. It looks out of proportion and bulky from most angles. Mahindranoffers ABS, airbags, alloy wheels, a 2-DIN audio system etc with the top-end variant of the Quanto. The company has plonked in a down-sized version of their 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine. The new 1.5-liter engine uses twin-turbos to produce 100 BHP and 240 Nm from its 3-cylinder heart.
In the export version, Mahindra will offer a more powerful, 2.2-litre mHawk diesel engine. The company will start exporting the Quanto to Europe early next year. The 2.2-liter diesel engine produces 120 BHP of power and 290 Nm of torque. The Quanto is a rear-wheel drive vehicle, but the export version will get 4-wheel drive. After looking at engine and styling, would you buy the Quanto compact SUV, when it goes on sale in Europe?
Faisal Ali Khan is the owner/operator of MotorBeam.com, a website covering the auto industry of India.
Twin turbos to produce just 100hp? That’s awful even for a diesel.
My 1981 Jetta Diesel only had 68hp, so 100hp for what might well be a lighter weight vehicle doesn’t sound so bad by comparison. :)
The article is incorrect. It is a twin scroll turbo. Also, this thing weighs a hell of a lot – around 3500lbs!, thanks to its body on frame construction.
Even the 2.2 is underwhelming. 120 hp in this day and age? At least offer 140-150 hp like the last generation Koreans did!
Whats that strange item on top of the engine cover?
Is that the intercooler? It seems to be missing an intake duct in the bonnet?
duster? ecosport?
The vehicle also appears to be narrow.
Thus, I can see it as a success in the crowded Indian and Southeast Asia cities. The same attributes may also appeal to Europeans.
Yes, narrow, and would likely do good on narrow forest trails with 4×4! Although with what looks like 13″ or 14″ wheels, it doesn’t look very sturdy…
The RWD version would likely be “interesting” to drive in the winter.
For a SUV its ground clearance sure is low.
Do they have a pick up version? 4 meters is about 13′ Sounds like my ’71 Datsun PU What is the wheel base?
Wheelbase is 2760 mm.
The wheels are way too small on it. It looks misproportioned compared to JDM or USDM SUV’s. Why are Indian vehicles saddled with such small wheels?