While side-by-side vehicles continue to reshape the ATV landscape, segment newcomer Mahindra is making a play for buyers seeking a more traditional all-purpose utility vehicle. In other words, check out this sweet mini Jeep.

Okay, we?re being a bit facetious, but in this hemisphere, the sight of an open-top steel body with an upright grille and flattop fenders on a boxed ladder frame with four-by-four capability makes Jeep comparisons inevitable. Considering that the Indian automaker got its start by importing and later building Willys Jeeps under license after World War II, the similarities should come as little surprise. Car dorks of the sort that populate the C/D offices will be quick to point out that the Roxor resembles the megarare Alfa Romeo 1900M Matta 4×4; those with truly arcane tastes will name-check the Crosley Farm-O-Road. By the looks of the dimensions below, the Roxor’s 148-inch length?including the spare tire?puts it in league with the approximately 139-inch long Jeep CJ7. Mahindra said the base curb weight is 3035 pounds.
Similarly, the Roxor?s powertrain is about as conventional as they come; forgoing the CVT and belt-drive setup favored by many ATVs, the Roxor uses a heavy-duty Mahindra turbo-diesel 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 62 horsepower and 144 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual transmission routes torque to a Dana T18 two-speed transfer case, and 3.73 gears spin in full-floating front and rear axles suspended on leaf sp...