Mahindra XUV 3XO CNG Variant in Development Ahead of CAFE III Emissions Deadline: Report

Mahindra is working on a CNG variant of its XUV 3XO, according to a report by Autocar India, as the carmaker looks to broaden its powertrain lineup and get ahead of tightening emissions regulations. The move is understood to be partly driven by incoming CAFE III standards, which will require manufacturers to bring down their fleet-wide average CO2 output. Adding a CNG option to the XUV 3XO would help Mahindra meet those targets without solely depending on its electric vehicle sales.

The XUV 3XO currently comes in petrol, diesel and electric guises. The CNG kit is expected to be paired with the existing 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which produces 110 bhp and 200 Nm in its current form. A modest drop in power output when running on CNG is anticipated, as is typical with such conversions.

The XUV 3XO CNG is reported to be targeting a launch by the end of 2026 or in early 2027.

What remains unclear is how Mahindra will package the CNG tank. A conventional single-cylinder setup would eat into boot space which is a common grievance among CNG car buyers, so the company may instead opt for a dual-cylinder arrangement similar to that used in the Tata Nexon CNG, or an underbody tank along the lines of the Victoris.