Mahindra Scorpio: Mahindra’s Scorpio is an iconic one which defines the homegrown Indian automotive lineage with its rugged performance, imposing looks, and a value for money play in the segment.
That homegrown SUV has moved beyond being a product of necessity to a cultural force to be reckoned with, it is no longer about getting from point A to point B, but has become the epitome of aspiration for Indians across varied landscapes.
Design Evolution
The design on the Scorpio’s exterior has evolved a lot but it has still maintained its essence.
And there, the eye-catching face of this vehicle that grab attention while maintaining a somewhat aggressive appearance, although it’s not over the top, first of all you can get a sense of the imposing front fascia you have the six-slat grille it also features a pair of projector headlights with even more projector lights for the daytime running lights.
Its the tall, boxy shape that makes no excuses for where it comes from, it’s that upright form that gives it such a huge presence on the road.
The profile shows a realistic tall stand with generous ground clearance, short overhangs, and functional roof rails that reinforce the off-roading capability.
At the back, vertical taillights offer design consistency with predecessors, and they include LED elements in a modern touch.
This evolutionary rather than revolutionary “look” to styling has allowed the Scorpio to keep its visual face in focus even though the superstructure grew older and technically advanced away below it.
Cabin Experience
Actually open the door, and the cabin of the Scorpio is a fine demonstration of function meeting fashion. The dashboard configuration favours ease of use when it comes to control positioning and physical buttons for commonly accessed functions are included alongside the touchscreen infotainment system.
The high driving position has always been a draw to buyers and the commanding view of the road helps feel in control and safe over most surfaces.
Its third row adds genuine utility for larger families, but it’s best suited for occasional use, or smaller passengers.
Materials quality is a significant step up over previous incarnations, with soft-touch surfaces covering most major touch points and tighter panel join lines, even if harder plastics are present in lower-cabin sections – a sensible compromise given the vehicle’s positioning and likely usage patterns.
Performance Credentials
The engine options under the hood are a 2.2-litre mHawk diesel with two levels of tune (130hp/300Nm or 160hp/370Nm) and a 2.0-litre mStallion turbo-petrol that makes 150hp.
These are inherently torquey engines that produce the low-rev grunt necessary for sure-footed off-road driving and relaxed high-speed cruising – even if refinement isn’t up to the standards of cockpit-orientated crossovers.
Transmission choices are a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic that doesn’t dampen the robust character buyers expect, but does provide apt convenience quotient.
The rigid ladder frame chassis offers a solid base for the toughness required for genuine off-road use, while the four-wheel-drive system including high- and low-ratio is further supported by mechanical diff lock for taking-on the rough stuff.
These true off-road pieces of hardware set the Scorpio apart from car-based crossovers that just wear rugged looking togs, they don’t have the hardware to match.
Driving Dynamics
That’s the first time any car has made in the 17 inch wheel industry, think about other wheels in other sizes and you will barely have to context switch your self into thinking that these wheels won’t work.
Its suspension tuning leans towards absorption of bah-dumpty-bah road irregularities rather than outright handling sharpness, resulting in a level of calm and control that’s hard to beat over tar strips to rival alligators’ backs.
Its high driving position and high ground clearance provide the confidence as you negotiate poor road surfaces and head into the unmetalled world.
Stability on the highway is reassuring given the tall body, although high levels of wind noise become more obvious at speed – the result of an upright windshield and boxy profile that puts interior space and visibility ahead of aerodynamic efficiency.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
Genuine off-road chops with the right hardware underneath
Commanding road presence and styling
Authentic 3-row seat layout
Heavy duty and ideal for tough conditions
Low bottom end torque great for all terrain types
Competitive pricing relative to like imports
Widespread service network even in Far flung areas.
Limitations
Level of polish lags behind car-based crossovers
Not very fuel efficient in comparison to the times
Access and comfort is still an issue for the third row
The way it is handled is by favoring stability over agility
NVH attenuation could be taken to the next level on the highway
Still some lingering ergonomic quirks
Urban agility is hampered by size
Mahindra Scorpio: Market Position
[flm:1]Honestly, being a Scorpio guy, how can you NOT maintain a distinct place for yourself in the Indian automotive scenario, by being not yet another cross-over chasing after that elusive ‘quite character’ tribe!!!
The fact it is still around today is a testament to Mahindra’s knowledge of it’s customers; not everyone wants to look off-road capable, more buyers want to actually be authentically off-road ready.
Scorpio Renovatus These are qualities that can cut through all of the fashionable clutter of feature lists and “cool” factor, making the Scorpio a relatively easy sell to those who would as soon know a CAT loader when they see one as immediately opt for the latest whiz-bang gadget—which is why it remains so popular among its extremely loyal base even when Hulk isn’t doing backflips on the big screen anymore.
It is a testament to Mahindra’s aim to manufacture “built-for-the-Indian” vehicles and not just make modifications to global platforms without due thought to the demands of local customers.