Mahindra Scorpio-N on cards for Aus?

COULD Mahindra return to the Australian SUV market with the Scorpio-N? The Indian manufacturer, which currently only offers single- and double-cab variants of its Pik-Up ute in the local market, will reveal its new mid-sized body-on-frame off-roader next week.

Mahindra Automotive Australia marketing manager James Halliwell told GoAuto the Queensland-based importer would make an announcement about local relevance of the new model and its XUV700 sibling (the unibodied medium SUV that will replace the discontinued XUV500) following the official reveal of the former on June 27.

Mr Halliwell added that he was not able to reveal more details about either model, apart from saying that, should the XUV700 make its local debut Down Under (as the brand previewed in September last year), it would likely only take place in 2023.

Hailed as the first new Scorpio in 20 years, the new Scorpio-N will be sold alongside the current model (which will be renamed the Scorpio Classic) in its home market. 

Size-wise, the new model sits between a medium SUV and a ute-based large 4x4.

According to Autocar India, the Scorpio-N will have a 2750mm wheelbase and measure 4662mm in length, 1917mm in width and 1870mm in height. It will be about 206mm longer and 100mm wider, but 125mm lower than the current Scorpio (the Pik-Up’s SUV derivative). 

Mechanically, the Scorpio-N will have more in common with the latter, however. The Indian website expects that the ladder-framed Scorpio-N will be offered with Mahindra’s 4 XPLOR four-wheel-drive system with low-range and selectable on- and off-road modes.

It is anticipated that the new “medium-large” SUV will be offered with a choice of a 2.0-litre petrol and a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engines in combination with a six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed torque converter automatic transmission.

Respectively, the powerplants produce 147kW/380Nm and 114kW/420-450Nm in the Scorpio-N’s new, unibodied XUV700 sibling. 

Although it still appears rugged, the Scorpio-N has a more a family-oriented design execution than its predecessor, with shapely (likely LED-equipped) headlamps, a contoured bonnet, plus a chrome-look grille and foglamp housings, complemented by bumper garnishes, side mouldings, window trim and roof rails with matching finishes.  

The new model’s interior, which Mahindra revealed in teaser images recently, looks even more upmarket.

High-spec Scorpio-N variants will have a cabin finished in two-tone colour schemes with either leather (or at least leather-look) upholstery, while metal-look trim features on the fascia-, transmission-lever and drive-mode consoles’ and ventilation-outlet surrounds, as well as on the multifunction steering wheel and door grab handles.    

The infotainment system is Mahindra’s “ArdenoX” setup and the version with the largest touchscreen is likely to be offered in conjunction with a Sony 3D surround sound system, as well as a bigger driver info display in the instrument cluster (it is not known whether there will be an all-digital version of the latter).

Autocar India further reported that higher-end versions of the Scorpio-N model could be equipped with auto stop/start, push-button start, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, front- and rear-mounted cameras, as well as USB-C outlets for the first and second row. A wireless charging pad and a surround-view camera system were also possible inclusions.

In terms of seating configurations, the teaser images showed what appeared to be a six-seater setup with captain’s chairs in the second row, in conjunction with a forward-facing (and probably foldable) third row. Lower-spec versions are likely to be seven-seaters.