Mahindra Launches Automatic Variant of XUV300 With AMT Gearbox

AMT transmission is available only on the W8 diesel model and is priced at Rs 55,000 more than the manual option.

Mahindra XUV300 autoShift is the name for the AMT variant of this compact SUV. 

Photo: The Quint

Mahindra has launched the automatic transmission variant of the XUV300 in India, priced at Rs 55,000 more than the manual variant. The Mahindra XUV300 autoShift (automated manual transmission) version is available on the W8 diesel and W8 diesel option variant.

The ex-showroom prices of the Mahindra XUV300 W8 AMT variant is Rs 11.50 lakh and the W8 AMT (Option) variant is priced at Rs 12.70 lakh. The diesel engine on the XUV300 is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit that puts out 115 bhp of power and 300 Nm of torque.

Both these variants are loaded with features including dual-zone climate control and cruise control, while the latter has the option of a sunroof.

Features of Mahindra XUV300's AMT

The Mahindra XUV300 autoShift features two modes – manual and auto. It also has a creep function, where the vehicle can crawl in first gear or reverse without pressing the accelerator. This helps in bumper-to-bumper city traffic.

The variants with AMT come with hill-start assist, where the vehicle will not roll-back on a hill, making it easy to take off on a slope. It also has a feature of downshifting to permit engine braking while coming down a slope. And for quick down-shifts, there is a kick-down feature as well, where if you press the pedal completely, it will downshift a couple of cogs for quick acceleration.

There are safety features built-in such as a reverse lock out, that prevents accidentally shifting into reverse gear when the vehicle is moving beyond 5 kmph speed. It will also automatically shift to neutral if the door is opened while the vehicle is moving.

How Is The Mahindra XUV300 AMT Different?

Mahindra XUV300 instrument panel.Photo: The Quint

The Mahindra XUV300 autoShift variant comes with an automated manual transmission (AMT) setup developed along with UK-headquartered Ricardo, a firm that has made transmissions for Mahindra in the past. Maruti, Tata and Fiat use AMT boxes from rival Italian firm Magnetti Marelli in their vehicles.

Mahindra had previous launched AMT transmission options in the Xylo, the NuvoSport and TUV300. AMTs are relatively cheaper to make compared to the torque convertor, CVT or dual-clutch automatic transmissions. Cost is the primary reason carmakers choose AMT options over other automatics.

In an AMT, the same manual transmission gearbox is used, but instead clutch and gear-shifting duties are handled by electronics. So while the vehicle looks like an automatic to the driver (with the absence of a clutch), it is actually running a manual transmission gearbox.

The downside to an AMT is the absence of a "Park" mode, which means you have to use the handbrake to park on slopes and slightly jerky shifts at times. In the Mahindra XUV500, Alturas and previously in the Scorpio, Mahindra has used regular torque-converter transmissions.