While some people are anticipating the launch of the Mahindra diesel trucks formerly called Appalachian on February next year, a few people are more interested in the diesel hybrids they also announced they would bring to America. Unfortunately, because of the delay in their US debut, it is likely that the introduction of the first diesel hybrid trucks in America will start in 2011 instead of 2010. Global Vehicles said Mahindra told them that the hybrid version will come out one year after the standard diesel version. 2011 seems like a really long time from today, so for now, here are some details to expect about the Mahindra diesel hybrids, just to give you something to look forward to.

Mahindra will be coming out with two-door and four-door mid-size diesel hybrid pickups much like their diesel-only TR20 and TR40 as well as diesel-only and diesel hybrid powertrains for their Scorpio SUV. The diesel hybrids are expected to have better fuel economy than the 30 MPG produced by their diesel-only pickups. Mahindra’s Senior VP for Product Development Dr. Arum Jaura told AutoblogGreen that the diesel hybrids will have a price premium of less than $5,000 above their diesel-only counterparts.

Inside the hood, the mid-size trucks will be equipped with a slightly modified version of the ‘mHawk’ 2.2 liter inline 4-cylinder diesel engine from the Scorpio SUV they introduced in India just recently. Power ratings are expected to be in between 145 to 150 horsepower and approximately 300 foot-pounds of torque. Mahindra developed the ‘mHawk’ with the help of Bosch and AVL to be released in the US later.

Along with a modified ‘mHawk’, the vehicles will have a standard six-speed automatic transmission, as well as a floor mounted console shifter. They will also be equipped with steering wheel mounted paddles so that the gearbox can be manually shifted.

Dr. Jaura is not new to the design of hybrid technology. He used to be Ford’s Head of Vehicle Engineering for the Escape Hybrid Platform before he transferred to Mahindra years later.

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