Mahindra is going to make its SUVs swankier and more appealing

Many SUVs were launched in 2016, which took the competition to a different level, and to deal with the present market and tough competition, Mahindra & Mahindra is looking forward to make two of its popular vehicles more appealing to the buyers.

As competition is set to intensify further in the SUV space with rivals Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors launching new models, M&M has readied new variants of the XUV 500 and KUV 100 to hold on to its share in the segment that is growing fast and where it has been upstaged by Maruti in some months of 2016 on the back of strong demand for the Vitara Breeza. The Ignis from Maruti and the Tata Hexa are set to pose fresh threat to the company.

Aesthetics and features will see a change and there will be no major price increase.

The company is adding a host of connectivity technologies to make the XUV more feature-packed. The new EcoSense telematics feature will allow real-time tracking of the vehicle, including fuel economy and wear and tear of parts. Mood lighting is another addition on offer.

The company has also added a safety button in the XUV, which will be triggered in the event of any accident and call the stored emergency contact number. It will offer this feature to existing XUV owners as well, through a small software upgrade.

The company will also launch new KUV variant with dual colours for the first time to keep itself competitive against the Maruti Ignis in few weeks. The KUV will also offer the options of bigger alloy wheels and a host of accessories.

The world is embracing digital technologies, while increasing traffic on the road is making people spend more time in cars.

"With connected features, we are trying to offer options which take away torture and fatigue, by making them more gainfully deployed, be it mood lighting or connectivity features,”

Pravin Shah, chief executive for the automotive sector at Mahindra & Mahindra, told ET

Mahindra has already tied up with Google and has integrated the Android Auto operating system on the infotainment system of the XUV and is in discussion with Apple to integrate the Apple CarPlay.