Passenger version of Mahindra Jeeto caught testing

Ever since Tata pioneered the last-mile connectivity space with the Ace and its multiple derivatives, the Small Commercial Vehicle (SCV) segment has seen a flurry of activity. Mahindra is one of the few manufacturers that tasted success in this segment. While the Maxximo Plus load carrier and the Maxximo Mini Van passenger carrier competes with Tata's Ace and Magic respectively, Mahindra launched the smaller Jeeto in 2015 to rival the Ace Zip in the 0.6-tonne payload category. 

The next step, naturally, is to bring out a passenger carrier based on the Jeeto. That's exactly what Mahindra appears to be doing right now. Caught testing in and around Chennai on two separate instances last evening and this morning, the Jeeto-based people mover looks to be in the final phase of testing.

Looking beneath the thick camouflage, we could easily spot Jeeto's design cues such as the oval-shaped headlights on either sides of a slim grille with Mahindra's characteristic vertical slats on them. As many as three test vehicles were spotted and all of them had the striking 'Aquamarine Blue' shade that's unique to the Jeeto in the segment. 

Like the Maxximo, the Jeeto-based passenger carrier does not have a rear door on the right side. The one on the left appeared to be frameless with the top covered by a tarpaulin sheet. The rear again features the same setup with the number plate moved to the tailgate. Though this is a rudimentary setup, this helps in making the rear feel spacious and less claustrophobic.

As the Jeeto is relatively new to the market, it has a basic but fairly modern cabin which is likely to remain unchanged in the passenger carrying version. Two opposite facing benches are expected at the rear capable of accommodating six passengers. These vehicles are mainly used for those point-to-point travel requirements within the city and the Jeeto should serve the purpose well. 

The rear mounted 'm-Dura' 625 cc Direct Injection (DI) diesel engine in the Jeeto is available in two states of tune, generating 11 horsepower and 16 horsepower. We expect both of these to be offered in the passenger carrying version. While the load-lugging truck has three deck lengths with wheelbases ranging from 2250 mm in the S-Series to 2500 mm in the X-Series, we expect the passenger version to feature the longest wheelbase to liberate space between the two rear benches.

Given that it's been close to two years since the launch of the Jeeto mini truck, Mahindra have had reasonable time to develop the passenger carrying version. We expect this vehicle to go on sale pretty soon. Prices are expected to be higher than the Jeeto load carrier that retails between ₹2.88 - 3.24 Lakhs, ex-showroom Chennai.