Jeep from India was in USA two pedal drive

17 June 2019

The company MANA added old school "jeep" with a modern "automatic"

Over a year ago, the second-largest Indian automobile company Mahindra & Mahindra (manufactures SUVs under license from Willys and Jeep since 1945), through its division of Mahindra Automotive North America (MANA) came to the North American market by building their own Assembly plant outside of Detroit.
  
I wonder what product for the Assembly line in Michigan, designed for the most pampered in the world market, contrary to the opinion of most experts, was not chosen a more modern SUV, owned by M&M Korean brand SsangYong, but frame SUV Roxor, which is a hardcore version of the Indian model of Thar – licensed version of the Jeep CJ7 of the sample in 1975 and, in turn, is a direct descendant of the legendary military Willys MB 1942.
Model Roxor was so radical that it did not receive admission to a public road, legally, is a UTV (Side x Side – large ATVs with wheel and landing of the driver and passenger side, and not a tandem), but without plastic body and continuously variable – very steel old-school incarnation without a roof, doors and even the windshield. Awning and custom anti lined pipe sides must be ordered separately.

Salon (or rather its virtual absence) of spartanskt the same is that UTV, accordingly, focused on farmers, hunters, fishermen, workers in the mining industry and fans of jeeping (ofroad). Success have spoiled the American public became a base price some $15 499.

However, for people used genetically for seven decades to two pedal drive cars with "automatic" version with the "mechanics" seemed too radical and in June of this year, Mahindra has blessed fans Roxor two pedal drive version with 6-step "automatic" GM 6L50, supplied by French firm Punch Powerglide (similar to the ACP, obviously, and get our car).

However, the fee for the comfort of the familiar was relatively high – over version of Roxon A/T asking $18 999 and in a limited batch of equipment "A/T" matte black grille and stickers on the hood for $19 599. It's even more than asking ($2000) for the new 8-speed automatic gearbox on a modern Jeep Wrangler. In this case, for the money the consumer gets all the same as "mechanical" version with a 5-speed manual transmission (plus a transfer case) 62-horsepower four-cylinder 2.5-litre m2DiCR turbo diesel 2.5 developing only 62 BHP and 195 nm.

However, according to the firm with this engine, the SUV can pull the trailer weight 1583 kg, although the maximum speed Roxon not exceed 72 km/h. overall dimensions Roxon – 3759х1575х1905 mm wheelbase 2438 mm, ground clearance – 229 mm. Front brakes still distopia, although rear – drum cheap. The coloring of the body, you can choose from four options: white, black, red or blue.

The only halogen lights are applied, and servo – hydraulic. Dimension of tires – 235/70 R16. Among American fans as "real jeeps" and activities in the style of "offroad" Roxon is already beginning to be popular, in particular as a great cheap platform for a wide range of tuning.

Interestingly, a year ago, the FCA Group even tried to ban the sale of Roxor because of the full similarity with the branded products Jeep®, however, the U.S. trade Commission has not identified any violations, and sales of Mahindra allowed. Meanwhile, MANA is not going to stop there and intends to introduce us to customers and other models of M & M.

So, apparently, following the premiere will be a compact MPV Marazzo, the design of which was developed in Studio Pininfarina. In addition, MANA intends to win a tender the post office the US $6 billion While that of Mahindra entered the shortlist among five finalists and a final decision can be made before the end of this year.

PS the attempt of the Indians to play on the nostalgia of Americans in its legend – the "real iron jeep" (Jeep CJ) was enough successful. However, rather local, but, for example, our Uazu and is not shining – except for the lack of preferential treatment in trade from the former Soviet SUVs, unfortunately, there is no shadow from the popularity and legendirovannyh, which could form more than 75-year history of the brand Jeep®. 
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