Mahindra Bolero — The Tata purist! This has been an icon in rural and semi-urban (changing automotive trends) roads for more than two decades now since this SUV was launched way back in the Mahindra mahindra bolero used car daze.
Mahindra flaunts its next-gen sporty look with the Neo, the re-invented version of the instantly recognisable vehicle that has been an evergreen success for over two decade.
In the form of a sporty look, which is arguably the most radical design progression in the model’s long history; second generation Neo draws inspiration from contemporary styling elements but keeps that boxy and utilitarian aesthetic synonymous with Mahindra Bolero.
New grille with a traditional face from the original flattens Out to six slats that blend in with huge rectangle headlights and piles on foglights and a skidplate, the latter a dead giveaway about how this will drive off-road.
From the Engine Room: Match the Style with Performance
Well, Fake look is not all about it The outer brawn isn’t and extra fake right under the hood was Mahindra 1.5 liter mHawk100 diesel engine that can deliver around 100hp and 260Nm. The three-cylinder turbocharged engine is a drastic improvement over the old Polo’s 1.5 liter mHawk75, offering cleaner, more refined performance while also abiding BS6 emission norms.
Instead of being all about the on-road qualities like most SUVs do now, the Bolero Neo keeps at off-road prowess with a body-on-frame that lends itself to a harsher durability on all sorts of rugged terrain.
The Neo gets Mitech’s cutting-edge and understandable off-road enhancing Multi-Terrain Technology (MTT) with a mechanical locking differential that simply engages when a wheel starts to spin, sending engine power to the ground covered wheel (a simple solution but detracting from all that complexity electronic systems can add off-road wise).
Rugged Utility and Contemporary Comforts
Not To be Scarred off by its rudimentary appearance, the new sporty looks which goes into modern comforts to cater to changing consumer expectations in this premium segment as well was lauded on Mahindra Bolero. Higher variants have a completely new dashboard, the cabin is brought into the 21 century with a 7″ touchscreen infotainment system for years of off-road experience but largely keeps cabin elements organic, well sculptured without overwhelming intuitiveness.
Apr 28, 2017 The climate control has been improved to have softer and more even air conditioning performance, and an added cruise control (first piece of Bolero line to have it on) makes highway trips more bearable. Height and tilt-adjustable driver’s seat not only improves ergonomics but also makes the Neos easier to drive for longer runs.
Priority Safetywise
One of the boldest areas of improvement in the Bolero Neo is safety. Now standard has dual airbags, ABS and EBD, cornering brake control and ISOFIX child seat anchors—features that were either optional or not on earlier models.=ColumnsMode
While this modern vehicle features crumple zones and a further strengthened cabin to help protect occupants during a crash owing to enhancements for latest safety standards in construction.
Other safety provisions come in the form of an electrically collapsible steering column, seatbelt reminder, speed alert & reverse parking sensors across all variants to fulfil both regulatory need and customer concerns in a very safety conscious market.
Market Positioning — something for everyone
Bolero Neo as a by-pass between the classic Bolero and higher-end SUVs of Mahindra One way to bridge a gap is the Bolero Neo options list as it hopes to sit between scope of traditional Mahindra cars with little to no premium Corolla or Jetta offering.
In four major trim levels: N4, a base configuration; N8 that bumps up the equipment list with stuff like remote keyless entry and 2-DIN media system including Bluetooth; The touchscreen infotainment and alloy wheels are standard on top of this N10, while N10(O) is Supreme and brings MTech along with its mechanical locking differential setting it apart for off road use.
The Road Ahead: Innovation meets Tradition
Sparse automomy-wise, at a time when this landscape of the automotive is being increasingly replete with car like CUVs the Bolero Neo is a symbol to remind; for most, especially in rural and semi-urban India utility offered by purpose built SUVs are irreplaceable.
Mahindra has breathed new life into its legendary off-road legacy with the fundamental strengths of the erstwhile Bolero, which included terms such as durability and practicality married to a state of the art styling, performance & safety that pay homage to the muscle car.
Image Source: mahindra hope that with more premium SUVs entering the market, Bolero Neo is in place to keep Mahindra connected to its roots and market that too in this always changing landscape. This shows that Mahindra are aware of how growth is not decommissioning proven formulas but sometimes using the wheel well is how you tread with both heritage and future needs.
In that spirit, the sporty Mahindra Bolero (prequel) might promise to continue the myth of this man-like Indian SUV at the dawn of new millennium whilst upholding the virtues that made it successful. The Bolero Neo is modern yet traditional but engineered to offer solid and purposeful SUV capabilities that customers want today so they can still have that with a life-time value.