Mahindra deployed the Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) in its recently launched XUV300 compact SUV today. It marks Mahindra’s foray into the highly sought after mid-size diesel automatic segment.

The new autoSHIFT transmission has been engineered by Marelli, an Italian automotive house of international repute. It gets 10 functions such as vehicle creep, electronic stability control; drive and reverse lock-out, anti-engine stall and clutch abuse detection amongst others.

The new transmission helps generate a peak torque of 300 Nm from a 1.5L turbocharged diesel set up that is tuned to make 115 hp. The shift pattern is also unique in that; it has been built around a plus-shaped pattern, rather than the conventional longitudinal layout.

The Mahindra XUV300 AMT will be available in two trims W8 and W8(O) prices at Rs. 11.50 lakh and Rs. 12.70 lakh ex showroom respectively.

Rivals to the Mahindra XUV300 AMT include the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza AMT and Tata Nexon AMT diesels.