Mahindra Bolero Facelift: The Indian auto space is filled with gusto as Mahindra is just about ready to introduce an all-new Bolero, a workhorse of an SUV.
This new facelift, meanwhile, would be the biggest redesign in the model’s recent history, with the intent of combining its renowned ruggedness with upscale add-ons that match modern consumers’ tastes.
According to industry sources, Mahindra seem to have invested substantial efforts in sprucing up the Bolero and yet sticking to its original DNA of a rugged go- anywhere vehicle.
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Mahindra Bolero Facelift A Heritage of Resilience
Mahindra Bolero Facelift For more than 20 years, the Mahindra Bolero has been one the cornerstones of the Indian automobile industry.
Known for its durability, ease of maintenance, and capacity to traverse difficult terrains, it was extremely popular particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
With not much changed about it since its launch, the boxy shape and no-fuss attitude became a familiar sight on Indian roads, the model has almost always been in the top-selling models for utility vehicles.
This is a very strategic move by Mahindra to bring in a premium centric facelift for this popular nameplate.
While the Bolero could have been shunted aside to focus on the new premium products, Mahindra has shown a conviction to not look at the Bolero as end-of-life product for now and instead has given in-place the go-ahead to upgrade it in line with customers’ requirement.
Sleek Outside: Defining, Down to the Last Detail
As per industry sources, the refreshed Bolero still appears boxy, but additional styling cues are used, giving the SUV a more premium look.
The front end has been reworked with a new, chrome-trimmed grille and a new set of more-modern headlamps that now include LED daytime running lights.
The bumpers themselves have been redesigned with a cleaner appearance yet retain the approach angles, allowing you to climb up and over obstacles.
It gets new stylish alloy wheels and premium looking profile that replaces steel wheels (higher trims get these) as well as hints of chrome on window surrounds and door handles which lends it a bit of premium appeal.
The contemporary look is complemented by body-coloured ORVMs (outside rear view mirrors) that come with turn indicators.
In the back, the tail lamps are also redesigned with a chrome garnish adorning the tailgate.
The most obvious update comes in the form of the broader choice of colours, including a few premium metallic finishes which add a little extra visual class to the car.
These intelligent exterior tweaks manage to find a happy medium between the Bolero’s workhorse heritage and a more modern design language –– enough to make sure we recognize it, but not so much that its unibody nature doesn’t look too out of place.
Inside Shift: Comfort with a Dose of Capability
Inside, and the updated Bolero is the most radical departure from its predecessor. Some customers mentioned the initial interiors as crummy, so Mahindra have totally redesigned the dash with a view to better material quality and ergonomics.
There were soft-touch materials present where they should be- on key touchpoints-replacing the hard plastics that predominated older models, lending a more sophisticated feel to the interior.
The highlight of the updated cabin is a touchscreen infotainment system that offers smartphone integration—dragging the Bolero into the modern era without sacrificing its tough-as-nails persona.
The instrument cluster has been redesigned to include a multi-information display that shows the most important driving information, and the steering wheel is all-new with mounted controls for audio and calling functions.
Focus has been placed on the comfort of the seating with new seats that provide more support on longer road trips.
The more expensive versions will receive leatherette upholstery (a first for the model) and adjustable head rests for all occupants.
On the highest variant, the manual air conditioning is replaced by climate control while in the rear, there are dedicated AC vents, a demand that certain customers have had for a long time.
Added comfort and convenience offerings include more USB charging ports placed throughout the cabin, more storage options, better insulation materials for decreased in-cabin noise.
All these additions do much to turn the Bolero’s cabin into something that is more than just functional – in sync with its wider placement now, there is a token of luxury on showcase as well.
MECHANICAL IMPROVEMENTS: FORCEFUL AND REFINED
Although the mechanicals remain largely unchanged, the updated Bolero gets a few updates that enhance the overall driving experience.
A tried and tested mHawk engine has been fine-tuned for better NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) performance and is known for its dependable performance and fuel economy.
Power delivery has been tuned for commuting in the city and cruising on the highway, so the truck is more multi-purpose than ever.
The suspension has been retuned to deliver improved balance between comfort and handling, something the current model has been criticized for.
There’s more sound-deadening material plastered all through the vehicle in order to cut out road and engine noise from filtering through the cabin, part of adding a more premium feel this update by Mahindra.
Integrating Technology: Plugged In and Easy to Use
Realising the fact that modern day buyers want their cars to be an extension of their digital life, the updated Bolero from Mahindra gets current connectivity options.
There’s also a touchscreen infotainment system that offers Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration.
Convenient Bluetooth allows you to skip the cables and pair your device for wireless audio playback or hands-free calling connectivity.
Safety equipment, too, is a point of focus, as dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors and seat belt reminders come standard on all models.
Higher trims receive extra equipment such as a reverse parking camera with guidelines and electronic stability control, both of which improve safety and convenience.
Mahindra Bolero Facelift Positioning in the Market and Strategic Significance
The Bolero’s luxury-focused facelift underscores Mahindra’s strategy to address a segment which has been seeing a lot of churn of late.
But while maintaining the strengths which have proven attractive to more-traditional purchasers of the model in the past, this latest iteration surely has enough about it to extend its appeal to those urban-dwelling buyers who just want a car which looks good and has plenty of features… and a bit of genuine capability to boot.
According to industry analysts this strategy could allow Mahindra to continue the sales story of the Bolero and preserve the model from potential cannibalisation by positioning it as an object of desire for a new set of customers who had so far snubbed the model since it was too utilitarian.
With the addition of high-end features, but without losing the basic essence which has always worked for the company, Mahindra hopes to keep Bolero relevant when the market push goes tough.
The updated Bolero will be priced a bit higher than the current model, although we expect Mahindra to keep the SUV mile away price-wise from the SUVs retailing in the market, thus retaining its value-pick tag.
This product positioning also ensures that the Bolero will continue to act as Mahindra’s entry into the SUV range while offering its customers a level of specification and finish that has not been seen before on the nameplate.
