Mahindra displayed their unique XUV 3XO Thula Sindi Edition at the Nampo agricultural show.
Image: Supplied
If you’ve never heard of Nampo, well, then you’re missing out on the biggest agricultural show in the Southern Hemisphere.
When the President and Vice President make an effort to go to Bothaville in the Free State to attend on two separate days, then you know it’s more than just a casual gathering of commercial farmers.
Big in every way
Last year, during the four days of the event, more than 200 aeroplanes and 75 helicopters landed at the little airstrip, making it one of the busiest airspaces in the country, and almost 87 000 people passed through the gates.
That's just a few thousand short of a full FNB Stadium.
Financial institutions and big corporations have permanent structures and there’s apparently a waiting list of many hundreds that want to be there.
It’s more than just an agricultural show with all its ancillary products, it's an impressive gathering of a cross section of all South Africans.
Trying to walk the 40 hectares display area in a day is impossible but when you stroll through there are implements the size of a town house selling for R22-million and you have no idea what it does.
That’s apart from the tractors and other motorised implements that feature some of the most high-tech digital features in the world.
It’s also a showcase of virtually every vehicle manufacturer in the country, looking to expose their products to a captive audience.
Mahindra presence
It’s no surprise, then, that Mahindra was there with their array of vehicles on display.
They’ve even built a permanent structure on the aptly named Mahindra Lane.
While most of us know the marque for their bakkies and SUVs, they are also the world's largest manufacturer of tractors by volume, some of them on display at Nampo.
"Mahindra started its journey in South Africa among the farming community, knowing full well that if it could prove its toughness and value for money to this segment, then the rest would follow," said Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa.
The XUV 3XO Thula Sindi Edition features custom exterior elements, reworked upholstery, and distinctive interior trim.
Image: Willem van de Putte
"Now, 21 years later, we not only sell over 1 000 Pik Ups in South Africa every month, but we assemble these vehicles locally at our semi knocked-down (SKD) facility in KwaZulu-Natal. This investment underscores our commitment to the country and its communities.”
Apart from their range of Pik Up bakkies on display, the Indian manufacturer also showcased their XUV 3XO compact SUV, voted the Motor Enthusiasts Choice at the South African Car of the Year competition and the seven-seater XUV 700 Black Edition featuring an all-black leather interior, blacked-out chrome trim, large gloss black alloy wheels and special decals.
For the younger, more hip crowd, Mahindra had its XUV 3XO Thula Sindi Edition on display.
It’s a special collaboration with fashion designer Thula Sindi, unveiled as a concept last year, that had a popular appeal and is now commercially available.
It features custom exterior elements, reworked upholstery, and distinctive interior trim.
The zebra-like stripes on the exterior create a distinctive African impression while inside the headrests are covered with uniquely designed bespoke cloth covers.
It’s available on order on any of the AX models, including the AX5, AX7 and AX7L. Sindi used a white car for his initial design, but it can be ordered in any of the range’s colour palettes.
The headrests are covered with uniquely designed bespoke cloth covers.
Image: Willem van de Putte
The vehicle is accessorised at the company’s Vehicle Customisation Centre at their new warehouse in Midrand.
The XUV 3XO has proven popular among buyers, with 515 units finding new homes last month.
It’s powered by a three-cylinder 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine delivering 82kW and 200Nm of torque, attached to a six-speed manual transmission or a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic torque converter in the case of the AX7L that was provided for the drive to Nampo.
Driving the XUV 3XO
It’s an easy to drive and comfortable spirited little car that’s not shy to hurry along when asked.
I was also reminded of the long list of impressive standard features, including twin 10.25-inch screens with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that stayed connected throughout the 500km journey there and back.
The Mahindra XUV 3XO is powered by a three-cylinder 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine delivering 82kW and 200Nm of torque.
Image: Supplied
The Harman Kardon Premium Audio with a dedicated amplifier and sub-woofer added to the experience and the auto headlight function proved to be a life saver when Waze sent me through some of the less savoury parts of Carltonville with cars ranging from one parking light, hazards or no lights.
Fuel consumption averaged out at 6.6l/100km, which, taking into consideration some spirited driving to pass slow trucks and seriously unroadworthy cars, is very good.
The Mahindra 3XO is sold with a five-year/150 000 kilometre mechanical warranty. MX models receive a three-year/55 000 kilometre service plan, and the AX models have a five-year/100 000 kilometre service plan.