Reference Auto

Mahindra and Mahindra has finally come out with a new Verito (the erstwhile Logan), which seems to be attractive and could break the jinx of low sales, which the Logan witnessed throughout ever since it was launched as a joint venture of Mahindra as well as Renault.

But now, the French auto giant (Renault) has severed ties with Mahindra, which is going solo in making the Verito (name changed after Mahindra took full control) and the new car is very attractively priced between Rs 5.27 lakh and Rs 7.14 lakh (prices in Delhi).

Moreover, the car will come in both petrol and diesel options and take on Maruti Suzuki’s Swift, the D’Zire, the Toyota Etios and a host of other cars like the Volkswagen Vento and Hyundai i20.

For instance, the D’Zire now comes for Rs 4.88 lakh-Rs 7.35 lakh, while the Etios is priced from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh.

Though dearer by Rs 5,000 to Rs 17,000, the new Verito is still attractively priced compared to its peers.

So, here is a clear-cut price advantage for Mahindra’s Verito, which also has great new looks, especially the front grille (in fact, it is a complete overhaul so far as the design goes).

The petrol version is propelled by a 1.4-litre engine and is priced between Rs 5.27 lakh and Rs 5.49 lakh for two variants and the diesel version has 1.5-litre engine with three options that carry a price tag of between Rs 6.26 lakh and Rs 7.14 lakh.

Changes in the interior include a new dashboard with lighter colours and new-look controls. Now, there are rotary knobs for climate control, buttons for internal circulation and a music system as well.

Power windows are now operated through switches which are placed on door pads, resulting in a lot more convenience to the driver and other occupants. There is a two-tone instrument panel, fresh upholstery and a centre console that come with a Variometric AC with ergonomic controls.

The exterior has new design tail lamps and rear bumper along with side cladding, revised side bumper and boot lid.

Mahindra Verito 1.4-litre petrol comes with 75 hp at 5,500 rpm and 110 Nm torque at 3,000 rpm. The 1.5-litre diesel engine belts out 65 hp at 4,000 rpm and 160 Nm torque at 2,000 rpm.

“We have trebled Verito sales in the last couple of years. During the last financial year, we sold 18,000 Veritos and this year we are looking to outdo the industry average,” Mahindra and Mahindra CEO (automotive division) Pravin Shah said.

Shah revealed that the company is capable of producing 20,000 Verito cars at its plant in Nashik, Maharashtra. He added that, “We don’t mind being a single car company if we can add value to our customers.”

The Logan’s numbers had remained sluggish, with the car clocking sales of around 400 units (average) every month around May 2010. But after August 2010, sales had risen by 150 per cent.

So, the potential is huge in the days to come, and the new Verito, with its economic pricing, great looks, diesel option and Mahindra support could break the Logan jinx and find a place among the top cars (in sales) in its category (the Maruti Suzuki indefinite strike in Manesar has also come as a boon for Mahindra and other car makers in the country).