Mahindra Scorpio-N confirmed for Aus

MAHINDRA is taking another swing at the SUV segment in Australia with the confirmation that a new six- and seven-seat model called the Scorpio-N is due here sometime next year.

It will bring the Indian manufacturer’s local line up to two vehicles, the other being the Pik-Up ute. 

The Scorpio-N is a new vehicle that has only a badge in common with Mahindra’s previous SUV entrant here, the smaller XUV500 that was dropped from the Australian lineup due to buyer indifference. 

Aimed directly at some of the most popular SUVs sold in Australia, the Scorpio-N will take on the likes of Mitsubishi’s Pajero Sport, the Toyota Fortuner, Isuzu MU-X and LDV D90.

Mahindra Australia told GoAuto the Scorpio-N will be priced competitively against the main alternatives and will offer generous standard equipment along with expected safety technology.

Any pricing structure, gauged against outcomes from other relative newcomers to the segment, would dictate sharper pricing than existing offerings to give Mahindra something of a launch toehold.

The Scorpio-N is a robust-looking vehicle designed with input from Pininfarina’s Italy design studio. Decent lines meet a challenging and toothy frontal look, although the newcomer has at least lost the contrived style of the XUV500 and looks more mainstream.

Mahindra Australia’s spokesperson told GoAuto that the vehicle will be offered in possibly two grades – mid- and high-spec – and will most likely be diesel only. A 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four cylinder is available elsewhere but is unlikely to make an appearance here.

We will probably see the availability of rear-wheel drive and 4x4 options, the latter being a selectable part-time set-iup called the 4 XPLOR four-wheel-drive system with low-range and selectable on-and off-road modes.

A 2.2-litre diesel engine delivers 128kW of power and up to 400Nm or torque with the six-speed automatic transmission, though it develops less torque when paired with the six-speed manual.

If the petrol arrives, it is good for 150kW and 380Nm in automatic guise.

Factory images supplied do not adequately convey the Scorpio-N’s size as it has roughly similar dimensions to a Toyota Prado and most of the other upper medium size 4x4s.

Mahindra says Scorpio-N has been “engineered as much for urban use as for off road,” a point reflected in its tight turning circle, comfort and entertainment features and purported ride qualities.

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 fog lamp housings, complemented by bumper garnishes, side mouldings, window trim and roof rails with matching finishes.  

The new model’s interior 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 fascias, 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.

The vehicle suspension has adaptive coil-over-spring dampers on the front and a multi-link solid axle rear end.

Braking is via four wheel discs behind steel or alloy wheels of 17-inch or 18-inch diameter dependent on specification level.

One point that could tell against Scorpio-N is its small 57 litre fuel tank, where competitors have predominantly 70 litres or more.

Scorpio-N is a body on frame design that bodes well for heavy duty use like towing, a critical point in Australia.  

Mahindra says Scorpio-N is  “expected to recreate benchmarks in the SUV segment yet again and take forward the Mahindra legacy of building authentic, world-class SUVs with an unmissable design, thrilling performance and high-end technology”.

Whether this will cut-through in the hard-nosed Australian market remains to be seen. That said, the Scorpio-N has already doubled the monthly sales rate of its predecessor in India where it is made.

Development and engineering work was carried out by teams at Mahindra Research Valley (MRV) near Chennai and Mahindra North American Technical Centre (MNATC) in the USA.

It is manufactured at a new facility at Chakan, Pune, a province of India and according to Mahindra is a global product.

Australia is a priority market for the Mahindra brand as it is well-established and represented by a robust retail network of 49 outlets across six states.

Australian specification and pricing will be announced closer to launch.