New Delhi: Mahindra has launched an all-new Scorpio in a new avatar – featuring an all-new platform for the first time. Though the SUV has undergone mildlife revamps in the past, this time Mahindra has given it an all-important product overhaul that the customers have long been waiting for.
The biggest change on the new Scorpio is the all-new chassis and suspension system, which will also form the basis of a new generation of cars from Mahindra. The company claims the new modular chassis is stiffer than the outgoing frame and safer too. The all-new front suspension is lighter and offers service-free hubs. Also, the new rear axle is now supported by a newly added anti-roll bar.
Design-wise, the doors and roof are carried over, but the vehicle now has a new front face, including the front grille and rear door that are inspired by the XUV500. Based on an all-new ladder-on-frame platform, the new Mahindra Scorpio is now more light and agile. It now has a refreshed front grille and all-new projector headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights. While the front gets a new pair of fog lamps, the rear offers new sump guards. The rear side now a fresh set of LEF tail lamps. Nothing has changed on the side profile as the company has kept the side profile the same. However, to give the SUV a refreshing look, the company has added new roof rails, body coloured door handles and wing mirrors, and new 17-inch alloys wheels, which are available in higher variants.
The new Mahindra Scorpio facelift will come with diesel engine and will hit the market in six variants - S2, S4, S6, S6+, S8 and S10. The car is available in 5 colours – Diamond White, Fiery Black, Mist Silver, Molten Red & Regal Blue.
Mahindra has incorporated plenty of changes on the inside. There is new with a dual-tone theme and rectangular air-conditioner vents with chrome surrounds, multifunction steering wheel, a climate control system, instrument cluster with an MID, 6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, CD, DVD, USB and Aux-in compatibility and navigation. For power windows the control has been moved from the centre to the door panels. The driver's seat is height-adjustable and the upholstery has a blue and grey colour scheme.
On the safety front, the car has ABS, dual airbags collapsible steering column, speed alert, panic brake indicator, auto door lock and engine immobiliser are available as well.
The company has retained the engine from the outgoing model. The base variant (S2) gets the 2523 cc, 4-cylinder m2DICR diesel engine that develops peak power of 75 bhp @ 3200 rpm and peak torque of 200 Nm @ 1400-2200 rpm.
The other variants (S4 - S10) are powered by the 2179 cc, 4-cylinder, mHawk diesel engine that puts our 120 bhp @ 4000 rpm and 280 Nm of torque @ 1800-2800 rpm. Mahindra is offering four-wheel drive on the S4 and S10 variants. There is no automatic transmission on offer as yet.
The top trim of Scropio facelift S10 gets infotainment system with GPS, projector headlights with advanced static bending technology, micro hybrid technology, 4×4 with Shift-on-Fly (optional), rain and light sensors, steering mounted audio and cruise control, driver seat height adjustment, automatic AC, LED 'eyebrows', chrome package for grille and AC vents.
Despite all these changes, the company has kept the price of the new Scorpio aggressively between Rs. 7.98 - 11.46 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai). The Scorpio was first launched in June 2002 and over the last 12 years the company has sold over 4.5 lakh units and has managed to clock the sales of 50,000 year-on-year in the last three years. Mahindra has high hopes from the new generation model in terms of sales; however, given the onslaught of new SUVs coming to India, it remains to be seen how consumers accept the new model.
Engine
1. 2.5-litre m2DICR: 75bhp and 200Nm;
2. 2.2-litre mHawk: 120bhp and 280Nm; Mileage: 15.37Km/l
Pricing
1. S2: Rs. 7.98 lakh
2. S4: Rs. 8.60 lakh
3. S6: Rs. 9.77 lakh
4. S8: Rs. 10.84 lakh
5. S10: Rs. 11.46 lakh
