Mahindra Axe
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| Mahindra AXE | |
|---|---|
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| Type | Large SUV |
| Place of origin |  India |
| Service history | |
| In service | Under Evaluation |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Mahindra & Mahindra Limited |
| Unit cost | INR 1,500,000 [1] |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 2,500 kg curb weight |
| Length | 4.4 m |
| Width | 1.96 m |
| Height | 1.98 m |
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| Engine | 5 cyl Diesel |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Suspension | Independent |
| Fuel capacity | 100 L |
Mahindra Axe is a Light Military Utility Tactical Vehicle built by Mahindra & Mahindra. Mahindra Axe is being customized to meet Indian Army specifications; the Indian Army is evaluating it as a replacement for the current Mahindra Jeep derivatives.
Two prototypes have been developed for army testing, and is expected to have both open and hard-top versions.
Contents |
[edit] Platform
Axe is built on a new platform , derived from existing Mahindra models. According to Brigadier Khutub A Hai, CEO, Mahindra Defence Systems "The Axe was designed with help from an overseas designer.
Mahindra Axe's design team continues to include new versions of the Axe which built for special forces. The version designed for the Indian Army is to use a diesel engine.
Current Axe variants use either a diesel engine (a 2.7 L Mercedes derived Ssangyong engine, which powers the Rexton) or a petrol engine (using 4 L GM Vortec engine, which powers the Chevrolet Blazer). There are plans to have variants using Mahindra's current line of diesel engines.
The Axe uses an all-wheel independent suspension system to meet the "extreme mobility" required of this class of vehicles.
[edit] Fuel Efficiency
According to Mahindra, the diesel Axe offers around 8 to 9 km/L (11.1 to 12.5 L/100 km) while the petrol Axe offers 6 to 7 km/L (14.3 to 16.6 L/100 km).
[edit] Civilian Version
Mahindra is planning a civilian version of the Axe. For the civilian version of Axe, the engine displacement will be lowered and there will be cosmetic changes on the dashboard, but Mahindra wants to keep the suspension and platform unchanged. Axe civilian version will be only diesel and with automatic transmission.
[edit] Sales
Mahindra is to build about 215 units of Axe for an undisclosed foreign army with 15 being shipped immediately.[when?] Mahindra hopes to export Axe to countries like Malaysia in 2008 (diesel version) and for Africa, UAE, Jordan.
[edit] Military Users
[edit] Reference
[edit] External links
- Mahindra AXE Video
- Photographs
- An article about the Mahindra Axe.
- An article about the Israeli vehicle from which it is derived.
