Road Test: Mahindra Scorpio Pikup
In 1947, Mahindra introduced India to the utility vehicle.
Road Test: Mahindra Scorpio Pikup
In 1947, Mahindra introduced India to the utility vehicle.
65 years later, they are India's premier utility vehicle company, with a global footprint in over 90 countries in Europe, Latin America, South East Asia, Southern Africa and Australasia.
In addition to developing a range of utility vehicles, Mahindra began its agricultural equipment initiatives in the1960s and are now the top tractor sales company in the world boasting annual sales of over 200 000 tractors anually.
Mahindra is a giant conglomerate in India and aside from their motors division, they have intrests in logistics, IT, finance, defence and aerospace, construction and industrial equipment, agribusiness, and even in the real estate, leisure and travel sectors.
The group also aquired the Ssangyong Motor Company in 2011. With this kind of business acumen in its DNA, one would expect a vehicle that would match its pedigree. So how did it all match up?
The Scorpio Pikup derives its hardworking credentials from its predecessor, the Bolero, and its loading capacity from the less widely known Genio.
The large cargo bin (2294 x 1520 x 550mm) provides a loading capacity of 1100kg with ample room to be utilised for farming or construction purposes.
The tailgate is solid and provides a decent loading platform.
The suspension design is well thought out, in that you don't get rear sag even with the back fully loaded; the rear sits higher when unloaded.
The ride is a bit hard unloaded as the suspesion is clearly built to carry loads.
The 210mm ground clearance, together with an advanced mechanical differential locking system, will allow for this 2×4 to meet almost any demand requested of it off-road.
Space inside the cabin is not as large as the modern super cabs and the seats do not have the fold down funtionality that one would expect from a modern design bakkie. The seats are comfortable, with a cloth finish, and are a big improvement on the harder riding Bolero seating.
The leg room does need mentioning here. The driver's door inhibits leg space and should be a design consideration in future models, especially for the SA market. But all in all comfortable enough to travel in, long distance.
The styling of the Scorpio Pikup is certainly a vast improvement on both its predecesors, with a front that includes fog lights and a central air intake on the bonnet and side rails.
It is a functional vehicle but comforts such as aircon, and CD/audio with usb input are included as standard features. Safety features include ABS with dual airbags and side impact bars.
The most impressive DNA strand in this UV has to be the 2.2 litre M-Hawk diesel power plant that produces 89kW of power output and 290Nm of torque.
The original Pikup models had a power output of only 74kW and the improved power in this model makes for a tough bakkie that won't cringe at the loads it is faced with. It also provides acceleration that was quite unexpected. I was taken back a few years to the immense acceleration achieved by the Mazada drifter series with their incredibly good turbo diesel power.
The M-hawk engine has certainly arrived and is a most welcome upgrade to the Mahindra UV marqee. The engine has a Bosch common rail diesel system that improves fuel economy with a claimed consuption of 8,8 Litres /100km, and a dual stage chain-drive system that has been developed to reduce noise levels.
So lets take a look at the bottom line: the new list price is a measly R189 900. a good R20-R30 000 less than most other competitor models with similar specs. When considering the purchase of a new bakkie, maintenance and warantee in addition to fuel consumption, are essential matters.
The Scorpio Pikup comes standard with a three year 60 000km service plan and a three year 100 000km warantee, making this a good option to consider if you are in the market for a new bakkie.
To arrange a test drive or for more information, you can call Alan Fiveash on 0826288178 Fact File: Make: Mahindra Model: Scorpio Pikup Engine:2.2L Turbo Diesel Transmission: 5 speed manual (2×4 with auto diff lock) Power: 89kW Torque: 290Nm Fuel Tank: 80L Fuel Consumption: 8.8 Litres/100km (claimed) Service plan: 3 year 60 000km Warantee: 3 year 100 000km Selling Price: R189 900
