Mahindra Roxor
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The Mahindra Roxor is a 4x4 off-road utility vehicle assembled by Mahindra Automotive North America (MANA) since 2018. It is based on a variant of the Mahindra Thar, produced and sold in the Indian market since 2010.[3] Mahindra has made off-road vehicles in jeep (GP)[4] pattern since a 1947 contract with Willys to build such vehicles for the Indian market.[5][6]
| Mahindra Roxor | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Type | UTV 2-seater/4-seater |
| Manufacturer | Mahindra Automotive North America (MANA)[1] |
| Production | 2018–present |
| Model years | 2018–present |
| Assembly | Auburn Hills, Michigan, US |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Side-by-side |
| Body style | Compact UV |
| Layout | Front engine, part-time four-wheel-drive |
| Related | Mahindra Thar |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.5 L M2DICR turbo (diesel) (Mahindra engine) 2.7 L turbo diesel |
| Power output | 62 hp (46 kW) @ 3,200 rpm, 144 lbf (640 N) @ 1,400 rpm (2.5) 55 hp (41 kW) @ 2,300 rpm, 144 lbf (640 N) @ 1,400 rpm (2.7) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual, 2-speed low ratio manual, transfer case GM6L50 6 speed automatic[2] |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,438 mm (96.0 in) |
| Length | 3,759 mm (148.0 in) |
| Width | 1,574 mm (62.0 in) |
| Height | 1,905 mm (75.0 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,376 kg (3,034 lb)[citation needed] |
The Roxor was announced in November 2017 and began sales on March 2, 2018.[7][8] In the United States, it is classified as an off-highway side-by-side (SxS). The Roxor is assembled at Mahindra's Auburn Hills factory,[9] and is sold across the US and Canada.[10]
2022 facelift edit
In June 2020, the United States International Trade Commission ruled that the Roxor infringed upon Jeep's trade dress. This decision was accompanied by a limited exclusion order and a cease-and-desist order, effectively barring the import and sale of the Roxor in the US.[11][12] Mahindra is redesigning the Roxor to further visually distinguish it from Jeep's vehicles.[13] In December 2020, The International Trade Commission issued its final ruling and determined that Mahindra's redesigned 2021 ROXOR does not infringe on the "Jeep Trade Dress" claimed by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.[14] In November 2021, Mahindra launched the new ROXOR design to the public in the United States.[15]
Design edit
The Roxor is based on the design of the Jeep CJ of the 1960's, and Willys CJ of the 1940's. Mahindra was granted a license in 1947 to use the Jeep and CJ trademarks, and Willys originally shipped complete vehicle kits directly to Mahindra. Over time, the vehicle's manufacturing was localized in India. Despite this, the body design and a significant portion of its mechanical architecture remain largely untouched. In the US market, it has a roll-over protection system, which creates the upper body structure and is attached directly to the frame.[16] It has a single gauge speedometer on all variants, with digital fuel, odometer, and tachometer gauges.[17]
The Roxor is available in two and four-passenger versions and with either a manual or automatic transmission. It can be had with 16-inch steel or aluminum wheels, with several options for tires.[18]
Powertrain edit
The Roxor is powered by the Mahindra M2DICR 2.5 L (150 cu in) direct-injection turbodiesel engine that produces 63 bhp (47 kW) at 3,200rpm and 144 lb⋅ft (195 N⋅m) torque at 1,400 rpm[19] and has a compression ratio of 18.6:1. This same engine has also been used in many of Mahindra's other UTV type vehicles. To ensure safe off-highway use, the top speed is electronically limited to 55 mph (89 km/h) for 2019 and newer models, and 45 mph (72 km/h) in the 2018 model.
The HDUV version is powered by a 4-cylinder 2,730 cc (167 cu in) turbo diesel engine that produces 55 bhp (41 kW) at 2,300rpm and 144 lb⋅ft (195 N⋅m) torque at 1,400 rpm, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.
Drivetrain edit
The NGT 520 transmission was designed to military specifications. It has a ct-iron housing with a direct-mounted shift system. All of the forward gears are engaged with single-cone brass synchronizers. The simple gear lubrication system is efficient enough under driving conditions to allow limited flat towing of the vehicle over the road. The gears are helical involute. The dual-offset cast-iron transfer case is also based on early military-specified driveline requirements. The 2.46:1 low range allows low crawl speeds over uneven terrain and steep grades.[20] The leaf-sprung straight axles are of a legacy design close to Dana 44 with a 3.73:1 final drive ratio. Since mid-2018, a 6L50 automatic transmission sourced from Punch Powerglide in Strasbourg, France, has been offered as an option on the Mahindra Roxor.[21] The front and rear differentials are open, allowing easier turning on hard surfaces, but power is sent to the wheel with less traction on loose or off-road surfaces.[22]
Trademark dispute edit
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, then-owner of the Jeep brand, filed a complaint in August 2018 with the United States International Trade Commission to halt sales in the US, saying the design infringed on FCA's copyrights.[23] Mahindra and its North American division filed a public interest statement with the trade commission on August 22, 2018, asserting that FCA's complaints were without merit, and that they had begun proceedings in a Michigan court to enforce a design agreement that it claims to have executed with Fiat in 2009.[23]
In late 2019, Judge Cameron Elliot ruled in favor of FCA, stating that the International Trade Commission should issue a limited exclusion order to prevent Mahindra from importing new Roxor vehicles or parts, and a cease-and-desist order (to block Mahindra from selling vehicles already in the US.[24] On June 11, 2020, the U. S. International Trade Commission affirmed the decision. The ITC did not find that the Roxor's grill infringes upon Jeep's trademarked 7-slot grill. Rather, the vehicle overall infringes upon Jeep's trade dress used formerly in their CJ series vehicles, and currently on their Wrangler series vehicles. In particular, the Roxor has "a boxy body shape with flat vertical sides, rear body panels that are roughly the same height as the hood, the door cut-outs that go above the bottom of the side, exterior hood latches, a mostly flat and rounded-edge hood tapering toward the front... and the trapezoidal flared fenders that extend past the grille."[25]
While Mahindra has often highlighted the differences between the Roxor and the Jeep, the ITC ruling has caused them to embark on a redesign of the vehicle.[13] Acknowledging the Roxor's similarities to Jeep vehicles, Rick Haas, Mahindra Automotive North America CEO and President, stated that the Roxor is "actually a CJ," and that "everyone understands that our vehicle is a CJ."[26]
In December 2020, the International Trade Commission issued its final ruling and determined that Mahindra's redesigned 2021 ROXOR does not infringe on the "Jeep Trade Dress" claimed by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.[14][27]
References edit
- ^ "Mahindra Automotive North America". www.mahindraautomotivena.com. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
- ^ "The Mahindra Roxor is a Jeep-Inspired War Hero in Utility-Vehicle Guise". 13 August 2019.
- ^ "2020 Mahindra Roxor revealed". Autocar India. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
- ^ Morr, Tom; Brubaker, Ken (2007). The Joy of Jeep. MBI Publishing. p. 50. ISBN 978-0-7603-3061-6. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- ^ "History". Roxor Offroad. Mahindra Automotive North America.
- ^ Broda, Natalie (March 2, 2018), "Mahindra Roxor first vehicle off region's newest automotive plant", The Oakland Press
- ^ Connor, William (March 2, 2018). "Here it is! The Mahindra Roxor". 4WAAM.
- ^ "Mahindra Constructs a Dealer Network for its New Roxor Side-by-Side". March 1, 2018.
- ^ Broda, Natalie. "Mahindra Roxor first vehicle off region's newest automotive plant". The Oakland Press.
- ^ Dorr, Bryon (March 21, 2018). "Willys Reborn: Off-Road-Only 4x4 Reinvents The Classic". GearJunkie.
- ^ "U.S. Mahindra Roxor Sales Blocked as Jeep Wins Legal Fight". 12 June 2020.
- ^ https://www.usitc.gov/secretary/fed_reg_notices/337/337_1132_notice_06112020sgl.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ a b "Mahindra Roxor to get all-new design".
- ^ a b "COVID-19 Update: Mahindra Prevails in FCA Trade Dress Ruling, TriMas Releases Inaugural Sustainability Report, and More". 28 December 2020.
- ^ "Redesigned ROXOR is a Stylish, Powerful Steel Workhorse". 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Mahindra Automotive debuts first North American off-highway vehicle". www.sae.org.
- ^ Schrader, Stef (23 March 2018). "The Mahindra Roxor Is A Reincarnated Willys Jeep And You Need One". Jalopnik.
- ^ Nelson, Jim (November 14, 2018), "Detroit built Mahindra Roxor challenging the market", InWheeltime.com
- ^ McMahon, Dave (March 2, 2018), Mahindra launches all-new Roxor turbo diesel ORV with $15,499 MSRP (video)
- ^ "Using 4L for all offroading needs... good or bad?". Team-BHP.com. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
- ^ "Tata Harrier Automatic Expected Around Mid-2019". Outlook India. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
- ^ "Open Differentials vs. Traction Control vs. Lockers". Expedition Portal. 2019-02-20. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
- ^ a b Lorio, Joe (August 29, 2018), "FCA Seeks to Stop Jeep-Like Mahindra Roxor 4x4 in the U.S.; The Indian manufacturer;s vehicle copies Jeep's design, Chrysler claims", Car and Driver
- ^ "Judge Finds Mahindra Roxor Infringes on Jeep's "Trade Dress," Recommends Sales Stop". 26 November 2019.
- ^ "Judge Rules Mahindra Roxor Too Similar to Jeep, FCA Will Push for Stop-Sale Order in US". 27 November 2019.
- ^ "Judge Finds Mahindra Roxor Infringes on Jeep's 'Trade Dress'".
- ^ "U.S. Regulator modifies ban to allow Mahindra to sell new Roxor models in Jeep case". Reuters. 23 December 2020.
External links edit
- Official North American website
- Official Canadian website