Mahindra Verito CS caught testing, launch end 2012

Mahindra had announced it plans to launch five new products in 2012 which also included the Xylo facelift. The Mini Xylo has been caught endless times on the Indian roads and now we got hold of the Mahindra Verito CS testing on the outskirts of Bangalore.

Thanks to Jishnu for  the tip and TeamFiat for the first pics of the Verito CS being tested. The shortened  boot makes the Verito look more like a notchback .

Thanks to the new length which will be just less than 4 metres and help the car fall in the 10 per cent excise bracket for instead of the 24 per cent excise bracket. This could reflect on the Verito’s pricing, making it at least Rs. 30,000-50,000 cheaper than the existing model.

Since the excise duty benefit also entails an engine up to 1200cc for petrol and 1500cc for diesel, Mahindra Renault could continue with the existing diesel engine but none of its petrol’s would help it get the benefit. Mahindra may either source a 1.2 petrol unit from Renault or may plonk in the new petrol engine which is also being developed for the Mini Xylo.

The Verito has witnessed dwindling sales over the last two years. When it was launched in mid-2007, it immediately captured a significant share of the market, selling as high as 3000 units a month.

But sales started to fall towards the end of the first year then Mahindra-Renault ended the joint venture. Some of the key reasons for the Verito’s poor sales have been attributed to its dated design, lack of features and a higher price tag than more contemporary cars like the Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire and the Tata Indigo Manza.

Image Source: Team Fiat